Bed wetting can be divided into two main types:
- Primary Nocturnal Enuresis - which refers to persistent involuntary nighttime urination where the child has never had a dry night.
- Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis - which refers to an onset of nighttime bed wetting after a dry period of at least six months.
- Genetic predisposition - 75% of children who wet the bed have parents who had the same problem as a child.
- Deep sleeping - studies suggest that children who wet the bed are very hard to wake up and have a hard time waking to an alarm clock.
- Reduced production of vasopressin - an anti-diuretic hormone that directs the kidney to concentrate the body's urine so your bladder doesn't overfill.
Two of the most common reasons for secondary nocturnal enuresis are:
- Urinary tract infection.
- Stressful situations at home or school. A bed wetting preteen is not lazy. They are not undisciplined. They have a problem and will need the help of a physician. Even though most preteens will grow out of this condition in time, it will benefit your child to get this help, as during this time their self-esteem is being affected.
Tips
Don't make a big deal out of a wet bed. Show your preteen how to strip the sheets and do a load of wash.
- Never punish your preteen for wetting the bed.
- If you were a bed wetter, share your experiences with your preteen.
- Keep this between your preteen and yourself. Sharing this problem with other family members or friends will only serve to embarrass your preteen.
- Find positive things to focus your conversations on. Don't let the only communication you have with your preteenager be about bed wetting.
