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BEDWETTING Most children begin to stay dry at night around three years of age, boys sometimes take a little longer. When a child has a problem with bedwetting (enuresis) after that age, parents may become concerned. Doctors stress that enuresis is not a disease, but a symptom, and a fairly common one. Occasional accidents may occur, particularly when the child is ill. Here are some facts parents should know about bedwetting: * Approx. 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of 3 * Many more boys than girls wet their beds * Bedwetting runs in families * Usually bedwetting stops by puberty * Most bedwetters do not have emotional problems Persistent bedwetting beyond the age of three or four rarely signals a kidney or bladder problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases it is due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal. Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that need to be addressed. There are a variety of emotional reasons for bedwetting. For example, when a young child begins bedwetting after several months or years of dryness during the night, this may reflect new fears of insecurities. This may follow changes or events which make the child feel insecure: moving to a new environment, losing a family member or loved one, or the arrival of a new baby or child in the home. Sometimes bedwetting occurs after a period of dryness because the child's original toilet training was too stressful. Remember that children rarely wet on purpose, and usually feel ashamed about the incident. Rather than make them feel naughty or ashamed, try to encourage your child and show faith that he or she will soon be able to enjoy staying dry at night. Parents may help children who wet the bed by: * Limiting liquids before bed (especially Tea, Coffee, Chocolate & Fizzy drinks) * Encouraging your child to go to the toilet before bedtime * Praising your child on dry mornings * Ensuring that your child eats plenty of fruit and vegetables * Allowing your child to help with changing sheets and pyjamas * Avoiding punishments * Waking the child during the night to empty their bladder In rare instances, the problem of bedwetting cannot be resolved by the parents, the family doctor or the pediatrician. Sometimes the child may also show symptoms of emotional problems - such as persistent sadness or irritability, or a change in eating or sleeping habits. In these cases, parents may want to talk with a child psychiatrist who will evaluate physical and emotional problems that may be causing the bedwetting, and will work with the child and parents to resolve these problems. Treatment for bedwetting in children includes behavioural conditioning devices (pad/buzzer) and/or medications such as anti-diuretic hormone nasal sprays. Further Information: Doctor Health Visitor School Nurse Continence advisor Also the parent's support group, ERIC: ERIC (Enuresis Resource & Information Centre) 34 Old School House Britannia Road Kingswood Bristol BS15 8DB Telephone: 0117 9603060 Email: info@eric.org.uk Website: www.enuresis.org.uk Good News Family Care, Charis House, Hardwick Square East, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6PT Tel: 01298 24761 Fax: 01298 27027 (10am4:45pm Mon-Fri) Fax: 08701 319152 (all other times) - or visit our website: www.gnfc.org.uk