Top bedwetting falsehoods – busted!

Don't fall into the traps that turn a harmless stage in your child's development into stressful, lasting memories. Let's bust the bedwetting myths!

Myth #1: "There's something wrong with my 5-year-old. Hang on. Maybe I'm doing something wrong!?"

When it comes to bedwetting, no one is at fault. The most likely causes include deep sleep and small bladders. Bedwetting is so common among kids that it is considered normal before the age of 5. And it should only be addressed in kids older than 5 when they feel bad about it – for example, if they're scared to go to a sleepover.

Myth #2: "We perfected potty training, so why is she still wetting the bed?!"

Nighttime bedwetting is not the same as daytime "accidents." This makes perfect sense when you consider that, overnight, children's small bladders must hold urine for up to 8 to 10 hours. Unlike potty training, bedwetting can't be fixed or trained away. The good news: kids will all eventually outgrow bedwetting.

Myth #3: "Great. So I guess I'll just have to put up with wet sheets for the next three years."

There are strategies you can use to avoid wet sheets. Nighttime solutions are not the same as daytime solutions.

One option is to make a few simple changes to your child's nighttime routine: Limit fluid intake before bedtime and make sure your child uses the toilet before going to bed.

Another strategy, which you can use together with nighttime routine changes, is to use absorbent underwear or bed mats. Better night's sleeps hinge on kids sleeping straight through. This is where absorbent bedwetting underwear or bed mats can help. And don't underestimate the power of waking up in a dry bed for your child's self-esteem and sense of control.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Bedwetting-Mythbusting