Why do some children pee in bed and how can parents intervene? In the case of wetting lettoi we are speaking specifically of bedwetting . This problem should not always become a cause of great concern for parents.
In fact, nocturnal enuresis could simply be part of the normal development of the child and disappear spontaneously after a short period of time. Let’s find out what are the main symptoms of enuresis, what are its causes and some tips for intervening in the right way.
Symptoms of bedwetting
Nocturnal enuresis is an involuntary release of urine during sleep . Many children get used to being without a diaper already within 5 years and are able to not wet the bed during the night but not everyone does. For some children, peeing in bed still remains a problem between the ages of 5 and 7. Sometimes bedwetting continues even after the age of 7 .
There is talk of bedwetting when the child wets the bed at least 2 times a week for 3 consecutive months . Most children overcome bedwetting by growing and in a short time but more difficult cases can occur. In fact, in some situations, nocturnal enuresis could be the symptoms of a condition that needs medical supervision.
Causes of enuresis
For nocturnal enuresis, or nocturnal incontinence, various causes and factors can be identified that can come into play in the appearance of these problems. These are points to keep in mind by both parents and doctors according to experts from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research .
1) Bladder too small : the child’s bladder may not yet have developed enough to contain all the urine produced during the night.
2) Inability to understand when the bladder is full : if the nerves that control the bladder have not yet fully developed, having a full bladder may not be enough to wake the baby up, especially if he is in a deep sleep phase .
3) Hormonal disorders : during childhood some children do not produce sufficient quantities of the antidiuretic hormone ADH, which is used to slow down the production of urine during the night.
4) Stress : the appearance of enuresis can be related to a stressful event for the child, such as the arrival of a little brother, the beginning of school or the fact of sleeping away from home.
5) Urinary tract infections : a urinary tract infection is perhaps preventing your baby from controlling the expulsion of urine. Burning and pain may occur. In this case, consult your doctor immediately.
6) Sleep apnea : sometimes enuresis is a signal of sleep apnea, a condition in which the baby’s breathing stops during sleep. Beware of symptoms such as adenoids, swollen tonsils, sore throat and excessive tiredness during the day.
7) Diabetes : for a child who has never had this problem, the appearance of nocturnal enuresis could be one of the first signs of diabetes.
8) Weight loss : another signal to take into consideration for diabetes-related bedwetting is weight loss along with an increase in thirst and a lack of appetite.
9) Chronic constipation : chronic constipation can affect the muscles that control the elimination of urine and play a role in nocturnal enuresis.
10) Anatomical problems : an anatomical problem of the urinary tract or nervous system could determine the appearance of enuresis; however, this is a cause considered rare.
How to intervene and help children
Usually nocturnal enuresis before the age of 7 is not considered worrying. At this age, children are still still developing their bladder control skills. If the problem continues beyond the age of 7 , experts suggest treating it with a lot of patience and understanding.
Consult your pediatrician if the child is still peeing in bed after 7 years of age, if he starts to pee in bed again after a period in which the problem has no longer occurred and if nocturnal enuresis is accompanied by pain, burning unusual thirst or traces of blood in the urine. The visit to the pediatrician is used to understand if enuresis can hide something more serious, such as a urinary infection or diseases such as diabetes, of which it can be a symptom.
The recommendation to parents is not to scold children when they pee in bed and not to humiliate them, especially in front of other people. In fact, nocturnal enuresis, as already mentioned, is not a voluntary phenomenon. It happens without the child realizing it.
If you find that nocturnal enuresis can be caused by a stressful situation , try to understand if the problems facing your child can be solved and stay close to them. To make nocturnal enuresis less difficult to manage, older children may find it useful to wear absorbent panties. However, evaluate all the interventions to be put into practice in this case with your pediatrician.
