Why Is My Five Year Old Still Bed-wetting?

photo source:qualitybeds.co.uk

Why is my 5 year old daughter still wetting the bed? Why why why especially when the other two stopped at three?

This can be a concern for a parent who has to get up early and go to work but still gets up up to three times every night to take this little one to the toilet.
This is a certified "sleep robber" I tell you. Sometimes you feel defeated when you drag yourself around 11 pm to take your child to the toilet and return around 2 am to see she or he has wet the bed. Aaagh!

The first thing is for us to calm down as parents; children are different and most kids that bed wet also feel embarrassed about it. ( I remind myself regularly when I want to flip!)

Some researchers have said that bed wetting "runs in the family" and that the child will stop the same age you did. How cool is that?
I remember wetting the bed when I was 5/6 but that was occasionally and my mum would give me a good beating in the morning. So maybe my daughter is about to stop eh?
But this wouldn't make any one that stopped wetting the bed at 10/11 feel better so let's come up with better ideas!

Most bed wetting which Doctors refer to as "primary enuresis" happens because certain mechanisms that control the bladder have not yet matured in the child and not due to laziness or sheer mischief. In other words the child's brain hasn't started controlling her bladder.
If your child has been dry for up to a year and starts to wet the bed again then that's "secondary enuresis" which can be caused by stress or trauma so please see your paediatrician.

According to the Journal of Urology, following your paediatrician's advice will help your child achieve dryness quicker than trying any and everything, so maybe you should pop in today?

However, there are gadgets like urinary bed alarms which are worn under the child's pyjamas and go off once moisture is felt. These have been proven to be very effective, many have see great results in just 2 months.

How the sensors work:

The sensor is worn in the child's underwear and if it detects any form of wetness the alarm goes off (there's also the vibrate option in some which is better for older kids and adults).
Of course the child has already wet himself but gradually with time the sensor trains the child's brain to wake earlier and earlier, till your child can wake at the very first drop! Great isn't it? It demands your commitment but at least you are up for the right reasons. 

Please share your progress report if you end up using the sensor, I'm thinking of trying one too.

With all these in mind let's look at three prevention tips we to also help our children minimise bed wetting:

1) Make your child drink all liquids in the day time only. Stop fluid drinking about one and a half hours before bed time.
2) Encourage your child go to the toilet every two hours in the day time (my daughter can hold her bladder for long periods while she's awake sigh!)
3) Encourage him or her empty their bladder twice before bedtime.
Older children will appreciate these tips more I tell you.

Gotta run now, I have beddings to wash *wink*.

Happy Parenting!