- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Talking to the Pediatrician
How to Talk to Your Doctor about Bedwetting
By Shel Franco
Enuresis, more commonly known as bedwetting, is not the easiest topic to discuss, especially when it comes to people outside of the family. So despite the fact that your doctor holds some key answers for you regarding bedwetting, he or she just might be the last person you want to talk to. With a little preparation, however, you can enter this important conversation with more anticipation than hesitation and walk away with a better understanding of enuresis.
The first step in talking with your doctor is deciding when to have the conversation. Renee Mercer, MSN, certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Enuresis Associates in Maryland, says that in a perfect world, all health practitioners would ask about bedwetting during general check-ups.
If your provider has not broached the subject, then it's up to you to make the first move. But how do you know if the wetting your child is experiencing requires medical attention?
"The tolerance for having a bedwetter will dictate the age at which medical advice is sought," says Ruth London, M.D., a pediatric nephrologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. "However, children 6 to 12 are more commonly brought to medical attention."
Mercer adds that "between 6 or 7, if the child has never had a dry night in their life," you should talk with your doctor.
If a well-child check-up is in your immediate future, plan to discuss the matter with your doctor. If not, call the office and ask for an appointment to discuss your concerns.
It's natural to be nervous. You are not alone. "It's very rare for a parent to make a special visit about bedwetting," Mercer says. In fact, many parents make appointments for other matters and interject the bedwetting issue as an aside, but it's to your advantage to be forthright with your healthcare provider. If your doctor knows that bedwetting is your concern, he or she can set aside the proper amount of time and provide any pamphlets and printouts on the subject.
