| Help
Parents Handle . . . |
 |
Social
Work Resource File from the Social Work Program at Southern Arkansas University IV-E Academic Partnership in Social Welfare |
Bedwetting is considered normal up through age 4. However, 14% of 5 to 13 year olds still wet the bed. The cause of bedwetting is not completely known, but the following factors may be considered to determine appropriate intervention for a child who is wetting the bed.
Developmental Delay The bladder may not be fully developed. Boys, who develop more slowly than girls, are more likely to exhibit bedwetting. When developmental delay is the problem, bedwetting often just stops on its own. Use common-sense strategies to minimize the hassle and embarassment of bedwetting.
Constipation and Urinary Tract Infections Bedwetting can be exacerbated by constipation and chronic urinary tract infections. Set an appointment with the child's pediatrician. Prior to the doctor visit, print this Voiding Diary and record the child's voiding patterns for three days. Also print the Voiding History Form and complete it to take to the appointment. This will be very helpful to your pediatrician in making a diagnosis.
Symptoms of Constipation
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
Other Related Physical Causes of Bedwetting A small percentage of bed wetting children may have physical causes of bedwetting such as abnormal urinary tracts, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or sleep apnea. A pediatrician will rule out these causes during examination of the child.
ADD/ADHD A correlation between bedwetting and ADD/ADHD has been noted by clinicians. If a child over age 5 exhibits both bedwetting and hyperactivity, impulsiveness, tantrums, or other symptoms of ADD/ADHD, appropriate ADD treatment medications will normally resolve the bedwetting.
Stress, Trauma, Abuse A child who begins to wet the bed after being dry for several months or years may be exhibiting symptoms of stress, trauma, or abuse. Indeed, many children in the DCFS client population will exhibit bedwetting due to the trauma of abuse and placement. The child's therapist should be informed of the bedwetting, but know that psychotherapy has not been shown to be effective in eliminating bedwetting. Instead, psychotherapy will help the child recover from the trauma resulting in a decrease or elimination of the bedwetting problem. In the meantime, parents should use common-sense strategies to manage the bedwetting without shaming or embarassing the child.
Help for Foster Children Who Wet the Bed - Jordan Institute for Families
How to Explain Bed Wetting to the Child - National Kidney Foundation
Voiding Forms courtesy of National Kidney Foundation