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The Straight Truth
Drying Up Bedwetting Myths
By Kelly Burgess
Similarly, it's not an issue of poor parenting when a child wets the bed, and there's no reason for a parent to feel at fault or to try to change their parenting style.
Although experts now realize behavioral problems don't cause bedwetting, they don't know what does cause it.
There is, however, overwhelming evidence that primary nocturnal enuresis is both genetic and hereditary. There is even a growing body of research into the possibility that it's part of an underlying sleep disorder. Other possibilities include the fact that a child may have a small bladder, may just manufacture more urine than their bladder can hold or their urinary system is simply not developed enough to control urination.
Other factors that may contribute include sleep arousal problems or underlying attention deficit or anxiety disorders, but there is no general agreement on one single cause.
Secondary enuresis can be caused by a stressful situation, such as a death in the family, divorce or a move. It can also be caused by the onset of a medical problem. Much more rarely, it can be a symptom of some sort of abuse.
Nevertheless, the first step in determining the "reason" for a child's bedwetting is a complete medical examination to rule out any underlying physical factors such as kidney or bladder problems.
Some parents point to the notion that "it isn't a problem at all" is a major misconception. Many doctors may have the attitude that it's not a big deal, but to the children and parents who are dealing with it is a big deal, especially when it comes to social events like sleepovers and camp.
Want to see more?
- Oh Brother, I Wet the Bed
- The Effects of Divorce on Children – A Potential Cause for Bedwetting
- Wet, but Dry
- Good Mornings: Bedwetting and Your Child
- Daytime Wetting – Helping Your Child Stay Dry
- Strategies to Maintain Bedwetters' Self-Esteem: Four Helpful Tips for Parents
- Childhood Baby Blues: The Effects of a New Baby on Bedwetting
