Bedwetting Causes & Solutions
Bedwetting Information: For Parents
The clinical name for bedwetting is Nocturnal Enuresis. There are two types of bedwetting: Primary and Secondary. Primary is when the child has never been consistently dry at night. Secondary is when the child has been dry for at least six months and has started wetting the bed again. It is quite normal for some children to wet the bed until they are around six years old and a few children taken even longer. It is estimated that one in fourteen (estimates vary) ten year olds regularly wet the bed. Generally boys wet the bed more than girls.
Information about bedwetting can be confusing and conflicting. The first thing to do is to go to your doctor to check there is no underlying medical cause. There can be various reasons why a child wets the bed, however, the vast majority of children don't have any medical reason for wetting the bed. It is helpful to know that children cannot help wetting the bed. They are not being lazy or defiant. It is for this reason that is important to be supportive and to reassure your child. They really can't help it. However, there is a lot you can do to help your child to stop wetting the bed.
Bedwetting Causes
The Most Common Bed Wetting Issues
The child is unable to wake up to a full bladder.
The child cannot hold urine for a full night.
Possible Causes to Bedwetting
The brain and bladder aren't communicating effectively at night
The communication links between the brain and bladder have not been sufficiently established. The child does not have functional knowledge about how the bladder works, how to use the muscles to the bladder, how to be in control of the body, and how the brain and bladder need to communicate to wake the child up to go to the toilet. In addition, the child may have lost confidence that they can indeed become dry.
Constipation
Even if your child regularly goes to the toilet, it is possible that he or she is constipated. It is suggested that constipation can also be a cause for daytime wetting.
Producing too much urine
When we are asleep we produce an Anti-Diuretic Hormone known as ADH that decreases the amount of urine we produce at night. It is possible that some children that wet the bed, or wake up regularly through the night to go to the toilet, may not produce as much ADH.
Very deep sleeper
Very deep sleepers may not wake up to go to the toilet.
Genetic
Bedwetting can run in the family.
Stress or change
This is particularly relevant with regards to secondary enuresis.
Type one diabetes
The kidneys respond to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream by flushing out the extra glucose in urine (wee). A child with diabetes needs to urinate more frequently and in larger volumes.
Urinary tract infection
The urinary tract becomes inflamed and uncomfortable and causes a need to urinate.
Neurological disorders
E.g. cerebral palsy, spinal cord disorders, neurogenic bladder (A Neurogenic bladder is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition.)
Too young
Children have the capacity to stay dry at night at different ages. Sometimes the child is too young or simply not ready. Some children will be ready much earlier than others, even in the same family.
The child is unable to wake up to a full bladder.
The child cannot hold urine for a full night.
Possible Causes to Bedwetting
The brain and bladder aren't communicating effectively at night
The communication links between the brain and bladder have not been sufficiently established. The child does not have functional knowledge about how the bladder works, how to use the muscles to the bladder, how to be in control of the body, and how the brain and bladder need to communicate to wake the child up to go to the toilet. In addition, the child may have lost confidence that they can indeed become dry.
Constipation
Even if your child regularly goes to the toilet, it is possible that he or she is constipated. It is suggested that constipation can also be a cause for daytime wetting.
Producing too much urine
When we are asleep we produce an Anti-Diuretic Hormone known as ADH that decreases the amount of urine we produce at night. It is possible that some children that wet the bed, or wake up regularly through the night to go to the toilet, may not produce as much ADH.
Very deep sleeper
Very deep sleepers may not wake up to go to the toilet.
Genetic
Bedwetting can run in the family.
Stress or change
This is particularly relevant with regards to secondary enuresis.
Type one diabetes
The kidneys respond to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream by flushing out the extra glucose in urine (wee). A child with diabetes needs to urinate more frequently and in larger volumes.
Urinary tract infection
The urinary tract becomes inflamed and uncomfortable and causes a need to urinate.
Neurological disorders
E.g. cerebral palsy, spinal cord disorders, neurogenic bladder (A Neurogenic bladder is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition.)
Too young
Children have the capacity to stay dry at night at different ages. Sometimes the child is too young or simply not ready. Some children will be ready much earlier than others, even in the same family.
Bed Wetting Solutions
The first thing to do, which is probably the hardest, is to stay calm. Reassure your child it isn't their fault. Go to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical cause.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is gentle, natural and safe. It uses the child's amazing imagination to change their expectations to have confidence that they can have dry nights. It sets the path for them to take control of their bodily functions. It creates change at an unconscious level in ways that both amaze and surprise the child and parent.
Stay Dry at Night Bedwetting Program
Stay Dry at Night is a unique bedwetting program that aims to get the brain and bladder communicating throughout the night. Key to this is a custom made recording that is produced for your child. The three recordings you receive use visualisation, relaxation, hypnosis, metaphors, and confidence building techniques to lead the way for change. The audios educate the child about the brain and bladder, leading them to confidently take control of their bodily functions. Not only are they gentle, natural and safe, they are set to relaxing music, and incorporate one of your child's achievements or activities. You can order this and use it in the comfort of your own home, without having face to face therapy. Children love listening to their recordings at night whilst drifting off to sleep. The program supplies a wealth of information about how to stop bedwetting, including how foods, drinks and sleep can have an impact. Furthermore, you are provided with help and support, so you have someone to email if you have questions. Some children become totally dry within 2 days of starting the program, with others it can take a few weeks. Children who don't become dry, often substantially reduce the number of times they wet the bed. Parents and children are amazed at how natural, beautiful and effective the recordings are in reducing or stopping bedwetting. The program comes with a diary, information and helpful management tips. There is also a 60 day money back guarantee.
Bedwetting alarm
There are various alarms on the market at a range of prices. They require commitment from all household members who may be awakened by the alarm.
Urine retention program
Bladder training to help increase the bladder size and the child’s ability to know when they have to urinate.
Constipation
For some children constipation may be the cause of bedwetting. It is advisable to discuss the best plan of action with your doctor.
Medication
DDAVP (e.g. Minirin) is a man-made form of the Anti-Diuretic Hormone known as ADH which reduces the amount of urine produced at night.
Vitamins
Supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 can reduce the number of wet nights among 7-15 year old children. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1477513118300342#:~:text=The%20current%20study%20showed%20that,after%202%20months%20of%20intervention.
Hypnotherapy is gentle, natural and safe. It uses the child's amazing imagination to change their expectations to have confidence that they can have dry nights. It sets the path for them to take control of their bodily functions. It creates change at an unconscious level in ways that both amaze and surprise the child and parent.
Stay Dry at Night Bedwetting Program
Stay Dry at Night is a unique bedwetting program that aims to get the brain and bladder communicating throughout the night. Key to this is a custom made recording that is produced for your child. The three recordings you receive use visualisation, relaxation, hypnosis, metaphors, and confidence building techniques to lead the way for change. The audios educate the child about the brain and bladder, leading them to confidently take control of their bodily functions. Not only are they gentle, natural and safe, they are set to relaxing music, and incorporate one of your child's achievements or activities. You can order this and use it in the comfort of your own home, without having face to face therapy. Children love listening to their recordings at night whilst drifting off to sleep. The program supplies a wealth of information about how to stop bedwetting, including how foods, drinks and sleep can have an impact. Furthermore, you are provided with help and support, so you have someone to email if you have questions. Some children become totally dry within 2 days of starting the program, with others it can take a few weeks. Children who don't become dry, often substantially reduce the number of times they wet the bed. Parents and children are amazed at how natural, beautiful and effective the recordings are in reducing or stopping bedwetting. The program comes with a diary, information and helpful management tips. There is also a 60 day money back guarantee.
Bedwetting alarm
There are various alarms on the market at a range of prices. They require commitment from all household members who may be awakened by the alarm.
Urine retention program
Bladder training to help increase the bladder size and the child’s ability to know when they have to urinate.
Constipation
For some children constipation may be the cause of bedwetting. It is advisable to discuss the best plan of action with your doctor.
Medication
DDAVP (e.g. Minirin) is a man-made form of the Anti-Diuretic Hormone known as ADH which reduces the amount of urine produced at night.
Vitamins
Supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 can reduce the number of wet nights among 7-15 year old children. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1477513118300342#:~:text=The%20current%20study%20showed%20that,after%202%20months%20of%20intervention.
Bedwetting Research
Hypnotherapy as a treatment for enuresis.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to provide an adequately controlled experimental and clinical study to assess the efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. Subjects were 48 nocturnal enuretic boys, aged 8-13 yr. Treatment consisted of six standardized sessions, one hourly session per subject per week.
Results indicated that hypnotherapy was significantly effective over 6 months in decreasing nocturnal enuresis, compared with both pre-treatment baseline enuresis frequency and no-treatment controls. It also suggested that trance induction was not a necessary prerequisite for success. Comparison with other methods of treatment provided evidence that hypnotherapy was an effective alternative or adjunctive form of treatment for enuresis.
Authors: Edwards SD, van der Spuy HI
Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines 26:1, 1985 Jan, pg 161-70
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to provide an adequately controlled experimental and clinical study to assess the efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. Subjects were 48 nocturnal enuretic boys, aged 8-13 yr. Treatment consisted of six standardized sessions, one hourly session per subject per week.
Results indicated that hypnotherapy was significantly effective over 6 months in decreasing nocturnal enuresis, compared with both pre-treatment baseline enuresis frequency and no-treatment controls. It also suggested that trance induction was not a necessary prerequisite for success. Comparison with other methods of treatment provided evidence that hypnotherapy was an effective alternative or adjunctive form of treatment for enuresis.
Authors: Edwards SD, van der Spuy HI
Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines 26:1, 1985 Jan, pg 161-70
Resources, References and Links
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/nocturnal-enuresis-in-children
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1477513118300342#:~:text=The%20current%20study%20showed%20that,after%202%20months%20of%20intervention.
http://chikd.org/journal/view.php?number=637&fbclid=IwAR0BBO8jpHQBdskXqhgjNfARv08XBePpL6m0pLkflQnYzj7pPlSPZhd99bM
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1477513118300342#:~:text=The%20current%20study%20showed%20that,after%202%20months%20of%20intervention.
http://chikd.org/journal/view.php?number=637&fbclid=IwAR0BBO8jpHQBdskXqhgjNfARv08XBePpL6m0pLkflQnYzj7pPlSPZhd99bM
