My son is going to be 9 in May and he's still peeing the bed at night....?

Question

I've had him to the doctor and all his tests came back good for kidney and bladder function. The doctor recommended an eneuretic alarm. It's a little probe attached to a moisture sensor that he puts in his good night absorbant pants and when it senses wetness an alarm goes off to wake him up. Well, he doesn't wake up to the alarm. He doesn't wake up to anything and that's what I think the problem is. He's a deep sleeper....MEGA deep sleeper!

My mom wants me to stop giving him drinks after supper. I've reduced him to water after supper and cut off all sugary drinks and pop during the day. I refuse to dehydrate my child just because I don't want him to wet the bed. He's in organized sports twice a week and is usually very active right until bedtime. This is why he's ony allowed to drink water after supper. If he's thirsty he'll only drink enough to quench the thirst.

Anyone have any words of encouragement? Will this get better with age or should I be worried at age 9?

Answer 1

This is not an abnormal situation, and you have done everything a responsable parent should do. Cutting off fluids at night doesn't solve the problem--your child's kidneys will continue to produce urine (albeit less) regardless of whether or not he has anything to drink before bed. That being said, its still worth monitoring his drinking habits in the evening, to make sure he isn't drinking 3 glasses before bed or something like that.

Bedwetting alarms have shown to help some children in scientific studies, but certainly not all of them. It obviously isn't a solution for your son, so save yourself the midnight awakenings and stop using it for now. It may be something you might want to try in a year or so when he is older, but don't push it too much.

This is a developmental issue, and there is no fighting it. Some kids his age read at a 10th grade level, some read at a 1st grade level. Some kids are musical, others are great at math. The point is every child is different and develops at different speeds in different areas. The important thing is to make sure that this isn't a big deal. Try to remove as much stress from the situation as possible. I think the diapers are a good thing as they will keep him dry during the night and reduce the impact of his accidents. Its much easier for him to dispose of a wet diaper in the morning than to deal with an entire soaked bed.

Try not to put too much power on the words of others, you and your child are the ones who are dealing with this situation, and you are best able to analyse the situation. Best of luck, and until he grows out of it, he is lucky to have such a great mom!

Answer 2

Hi,my son is 11 this year and has only stopped 3 months ago,much to my relief,and it just happens,he to is a heavy sleeper,and I have known children to wet the bed up until 13,so don,t lose heart

Answer 3

Have you had a sleep study done?  I had a sleep disorder as a child that caused me to dream i was in the bathroom going pee and it was so real to me I couldn't wakeup until after I wet the bed.  The Dr gave my mom a name for the disorder but she forgot the name of it.  I was 14 when i finally stopped wetting the bed.  I know adults that still suffer from the disorder.

Answer 4

Been there going through it with my son too.  We've talked to the doctor about it and all have said it's totally normal.  It can last to upwards of 12 and even 13. My son, like yours sleeps like the dead.  He was completely potty trained and wouldn't wet the bed at night and then he was put on Zyrtec when he was 5 and it would knock him out at night, that's when it started, but even after he stopped using the allergy meds, he continues to wet the bed.

It doesn't matter if you cut off all drinks or not, it will still happen.  I know, we've tried.  We had made him stop drinking at dinner, but it didn't help.  I actually found he would pee less during the night if he goes to bed with a bottle of water.

Good luck!

Answer 5

well i know two people who did not learn to be potty trained till they were much older and they had perfectly health bladders and kidneys

sonetimes it just takes awhile to become potty trained

im sure itll turn out fine

well i hope it does

id go with consulting a doctor again and ask for advice

Answer 6

Has he been checked for diabetes?  

Cut down on citric acid (like applce juice).  Completely eliminate it from thet diet for 1-2 weeks and see if it helps.  When boys are intolerant of the citric acid (in most fruit juices, applesauce, etc) then they pee the bed at night.  My newphew was the same way and a friend of ours who is now an adult.