How can I get my 9 year old son to stop wetting the bed?

Question

He wants to start wearing regular undies to bed in time for summer camp in July.

Answer 1

Wow don't let boracay scare you, bedwetting is a very common problem, serial killing isn't. 7% of children your son's age wet the bed... yes, he probably has at least one classmate who also does. 15% of first graders do. If it were true that bedwetters are future serial killers, 15% of the population would be. Also, assuming the definition of serial killer as one who kills at least two people, at least 1/3 of the population would die at the hands of a serial killer.

Its an absolutely absurd comment, and completely inappropriate. The reason behind this methodology is that a small percentage of children (less than 5%) suffer from primary enuresis (never been dry at night) due to psychological disturbances. It is incredibly rare, and only a small percentage of even those children become criminals.

Anyways, back to reality, this is almost guaranteed to be a developmental issue. Some kids your son's age read at a grade 2 level, some read at a grade 8 level. Some kids are good at sports, while others are musical. The point is, kids develop at different times and in different areas. The same is true for your son's body. 15% of kids outgrow bedwetting every year, and it is just a matter of time before your son's body gets staying dry at night under control.

In 3% of kids over the age of 6 who wet the bed, it is caused by a medical condition, so even though it is a small chance, if you haven't already, its worth a trip to the doctor just to make sure everything is alright, and to get access to treatment options, regardless of the cause.

The only scientifically proven method to help stop bedwetting is the use of a bedwetting alarm. It is a device that is placed in the front of your son's diaper that goes off at the first drop of urine, which allows him to wake up to finish. Over time, in many children, they learn to wake up BEFORE the first drop, and it prevents wet beds. This doesn't work with all kids, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work for you son, but it is certainly the best option.

Also, there is a medication called DDAVP that you may want to speak to your doctor about. It is a pill or nose spray your son takes before he goes to bed which releasing something called Anti-Diuretic Hormone. This is a hormone produced by you and I which tells our kidneys to slow down with urine production while we sleep, so that we don't wet the bed.  In many kids, they don't produce enough of this hormone, or the cycle isn't right. This is a medication though, and it has some side effects. Its usually only recommended for short periods of time (ie: your son going to camp), and isn't a cure--As soon as he stops taking it he will wet the bed again. Once again, it doesn't work for everyone, but its worth a try.

Restricting fluids before bed really doesn't help all that much. It is of slight benefit because your child will produce less urine, but its important to know that he will still produce significant urine regardless, and this is never a cure. Let me put it this way.. If you drank two full glasses of water just before bed, would you wet YOUR bed? Of course not.. Bedwetting isn't caused by too many liquids, its caused by a developmental process. Just don't let your child go thirsty and get dehydrated.

The important thing to know is that stress doesn't help the situation. Your son needs to know that you support him through this, and that you know its not his fault. Using diapers or pull-ups is helpful to reduce the impact of accidents. Its a lot easier to change out of a wet diaper than to sleep in a soaked bed and have to change it the next morning. You will get through this together, and he may or may not be able to get this done in time for camp. The important thing is to know that this is nothing that you or he has control over, and its NOBODY'S fault. Good luck!

Answer 2

My son used to wet the bed at about 2:30 or 3:00 every night, I started waking up about 2 and waking him to go to the bathroom and he would stay dry the rest of the night, after a few weeks of waking him he started waking on his own and going to the bathroom and he has not wet the bed in a long time.

Answer 3

i agree with Dolce, make sure your kid doesn't drink anything before bed, and try not to feed him a big meal before bed either. what i can say from experience with a little brother, if their hungry before bed, give 'em a snack, not a full blown meal.

thats all really, if it persists, talk to a doctor, but try less water before bed before u go running to those crazy medical people lol.

Answer 4

Make sure he goes to the bathroom before he sleeps and no liquids an hour before bedtime.

Answer 5

Try a bed wetting alarm.. Its worked so far for my daughter who is 9. We have just started going without it this week. Shes been wearing it to bed for the last 2 months. She has not yet wet the bed. While she wore it she only had an accident a couple of times.. most were stopped before they had a chance to complete. Find out if your insurance will cover the cost. Ours did.