Bedwetting
Many parents are concerned when their child continues to wet their bed at night past the
age of 3 years old. Since most children begin to stay dry through the night around three
years of age their concerns are valid However, child and adolescent psychiatrists stress
that enuresis is a fairly common symptom and not a disease. Occasional accidents may
occur, often when the child is ill. Parents need to be understanding particularly if the
child has been able to have a majority of dry nights. Some facts parents should know
about bedwetting:
• Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
• Many more boys than girls wet their beds
• Bedwetting runs in families
• Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
• Most bedwetters do not have emotional problems
Persistent bedwetting beyond the age of three or four rarely signals a kidney or bladder
problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases, it is
due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal.
Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that require
attention.
There are a variety of emotional reasons for bedwetting. For example, when a young
child begins bedwetting after several months or years of dryness during the night
(secondary enuresis), this may reflect new fears or insecurities. Often, this may follow
changes or events which make the child feel insecure such as moving to a new home,
parents’ divorce, losing a family member or loved one, or the arrival of a new baby or
child in the home.
Parents should remember that children rarely wet on purpose, and usually feel ashamed
about the incident. Rather than make the child feel ashamed, parents need to encourage
the child and express confidence that he or she will soon be able to stay dry at night.
Parents may help children who wet the bed by:
• Limiting liquids before bedtime
• Encouraging the child to go to the bathroom before bedtime
• Praising the child on dry mornings
• Avoiding punishments
• Waking the child during the night to empty their bladder
Treatment for bedwetting in children usually includes behavioral conditioning devices
(pad/buzzer) and/or medications if behavioral interventions are unsuccessful. In rare
instances, the problem of bedwetting cannot be resolved by the parents, the family
physician or the pediatrician. Sometimes the child may also show symptoms of
emotional problems--such as persistent sadness or irritability, or a change in eating or
sleeping habits. In these cases, parents may want to talk with a child and adolescent
psychiatrist, who will evaluate physical and emotional problems that may be causing the
bedwetting, and will work with the child and parents to resolve these problems. Early
supportive intervention will help minimize the potential emotional impact of persistent
bedwetting on the child.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,
Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
Many parents are concerned when their child continues to wet their bed at night past the
age of 3 years old. Since most children begin to stay dry through the night around three
years of age their concerns are valid However, child and adolescent psychiatrists stress
that enuresis is a fairly common symptom and not a disease. Occasional accidents may
occur, often when the child is ill. Parents need to be understanding particularly if the
child has been able to have a majority of dry nights. Some facts parents should know
about bedwetting:
• Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
• Many more boys than girls wet their beds
• Bedwetting runs in families
• Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
• Most bedwetters do not have emotional problems
Persistent bedwetting beyond the age of three or four rarely signals a kidney or bladder
problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases, it is
due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal.
Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that require
attention.
There are a variety of emotional reasons for bedwetting. For example, when a young
child begins bedwetting after several months or years of dryness during the night
(secondary enuresis), this may reflect new fears or insecurities. Often, this may follow
changes or events which make the child feel insecure such as moving to a new home,
parents’ divorce, losing a family member or loved one, or the arrival of a new baby or
child in the home.
Parents should remember that children rarely wet on purpose, and usually feel ashamed
about the incident. Rather than make the child feel ashamed, parents need to encourage
the child and express confidence that he or she will soon be able to stay dry at night.
Parents may help children who wet the bed by:
• Limiting liquids before bedtime
• Encouraging the child to go to the bathroom before bedtime
• Praising the child on dry mornings
• Avoiding punishments
• Waking the child during the night to empty their bladder
Treatment for bedwetting in children usually includes behavioral conditioning devices
(pad/buzzer) and/or medications if behavioral interventions are unsuccessful. In rare
instances, the problem of bedwetting cannot be resolved by the parents, the family
physician or the pediatrician. Sometimes the child may also show symptoms of
emotional problems--such as persistent sadness or irritability, or a change in eating or
sleeping habits. In these cases, parents may want to talk with a child and adolescent
psychiatrist, who will evaluate physical and emotional problems that may be causing the
bedwetting, and will work with the child and parents to resolve these problems. Early
supportive intervention will help minimize the potential emotional impact of persistent
bedwetting on the child.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,
Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
