What Can Help?
The good news is that almost all kids who wet the bed eventually stop. So if you
wet every night, don't be discouraged. And don't worry that you're not normal, either
physically or emotionally. Bedwetting is not usually caused by a problem with your
body or your feelings.
It's likely that bedwetting will go away on its own. But if you have this problem,
it's still a good idea for you and your parents to talk to your doctor about it.
Your doctor will ask you some questions, and it's important to answer them truthfully
and not feel embarrassed. Remember, bedwetting is so common that your doctor probably
treats a lot of kids who do it. The doctor will examine you and probably ask for a
pee sample to test.
Some kids who have other problems, like constipation (when you aren't pooping
regularly), daytime wetting, or urinary infections (UTIs),
may need some extra tests.
What Else Should I Know?
If you wet the bed, there are some things you can do to stay dry. Try not to drink
anything after dinner and remember to go to the bathroom before going to bed. If you
do wet the bed, help with the cleanup by pulling off the sheets and putting them in
the laundry.
A lot of doctors think that the best treatment for enuresis is a program that retrains
your brain to do one of two things:
- wake you up so you can go to the bathroom
- stay asleep and hold it until morning
This program includes doing bladder exercises, such as waiting a little longer
to pee during the day, reading about and imagining staying dry, or even using a tiny
alarm. The alarm is connected to a pad placed in your underwear at night. If you start
to urinate, the pad senses the moisture and sets off the alarm. Different alarms make
a loud noise, vibrate, or do both, but they're all easy to use and can help wake even
the deepest sleeper.
There are medicines for kids who wet the bed. They might help you temporarily,
but they don't cure bedwetting. These medicines work best when combined with the alarm
or other training programs.
It may take some practice to retrain your brain, and you'll need to be patient.
But eventually, you will stop wetting the bed.
Date reviewed: December 2018