Bed Wetting

Causes of bed wetting

The most common reasons for a child suffering from this are as follows: 
- developmental delays 
- genetics 
- sleep disorder (such as sleeping too deeply)
- behavior and psychological disorders
- anatomy
- antidiuretic hormone levels.

The most commonly accepted, but also hardest to prove cause is maturational delay of the central nervous system. Basically meaning that the child’s nervous system doesn’t sense that the bladder needs to be held, and the urine is released during sleep.

Sleeping disorders make up a very large percentage of bedwetting cause in children, and there has been extensive research done on the subject, but there have been such varying results, that it is hard for researchers to determine a primary sleep disorder that can be determined as the main cause for this problem.

Some people believe that bedwetting is mainly caused behaviorally, which leads to the issue of psychological consideration- some studies have shown that psychologically children who suffer from bedwetting have essentially the same behaviors as children who don’t, while other studies have concluded the opposite. In those studies that show psychological differences between the two groups, the differences have mainly been that a child who has this problem is less socialble and has more self-esteem issues than the other group. This begs a question though: do the low self-esteem and social issues go hand in hand with bed wetting children, or does the bed wetting lead to these types of psychological situations in these children?

Family history is also very important, and many studies have shown results that deem it almost conclusive that if a parent suffered from bedwetting as a child, there is a very strong chance that their child will. In fact, one study showed that in a family where both parents suffered from this condition, there was a 77 percent chance that their child would do the same. This is a helpful finding, because it helps dispel the theory that bed wetting is a behavioral problem. In turn, this makes it more acceptable, and causes slightly less frustration and guilt, which can lead the way for a better outcome following therapy.

Helping your child cope with bed wetting

Not only should you try to help your child overcome their bedwetting problem, but you should also focus on helping them to understand it and not feel quite so bad about it, if at all possible. Your child likely feels very ashamed at being a bedwetter. They may also feel guilt for not being able to control their body in a way that they feel they should. This is very likely in older children.

You should never punish your child for this problem. It is very important to remember that your child cannot help it. Again, the older the child is, the more this applies, and your child is likely even more irritated about it than you are. You should try to not make your child feel any more guilt about it than they already do.

It may also help your child to know that no one really knows the exact cause of this problem, because there are too many factors that have to be considered in each case. Explain to them the many different causes that might be affecting their situation, and the fact that these reasons are not their fault, and that you will help them overcome it. Tell them as much information as is necessary to help them be able to deal with it without thinking less of themselves. For instance, if you wet the bed as a child, be sure and explain this, while also informing them that it can run in families. This might help take some of the pressure off and relieve some of their guilt.

Just remember, this is a rough time on both you and your child, and you should use whatever methods necessary to dispel these difficulties. Keeping the right no-fault attitude can definitely help, as well as having an open mind to suggestions for treatments, and being dedicated to whatever ways you decide to treat bed wetting.

Potty Training and Bed wetting Solutions - This article was produced by PottyTraining Solutions. Copyright 1998-2004

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