I just wanted to ask other moms there take on this. My son is almost 7 and sometimes wets the bed. I spoke with other parents, and some said that their boys did the same. Som of them upto 3rd grade (my son is in first). I have tried everything: Cutting out drinks before bed, punishments, rewards for going the whole night (or getting up to pee), ignoring it (like he might be doing it for attention), and now we are trying GoodNights. I was hoping it would encourage him to use the bathroom before bed or at least make an attempt. The first couple of nights he complained about wearing them. I told him until I knew whether it was medical or just laziness he had to wear it. Then he turns around and shows off that he's wearing it to family friends one night. After that I caught him trying to wear one to school. He doesn't wet during the day, so what is this? Am I going about this situation all wrong? Am I just overanalyzing the situation? Do I need to take him to the doctor? I am at a loss here!
My 8 year-old still has accidents sometimes. I know caffeine will make it worse (even the small amount in chocolate). My older brother had the same problem, they tried pills and everything, but puberty was the only thing that worked.
Hi K.~
I was thinking as I was reading your post that maybe your son might be regressing just a little due to the new baby in the house? Perhaps now that he is not the "baby" anymore?
I personally would give him a little more time to adjust. Maybe spend a little one-on-one time with him if you can to reinforce that he will always be special to you even with a new baby in the house.
If it continues I would start to make him remove the wet sheets and clean up the mess.
If it becomes a constant then I would think about calling your doc in case there is an issue but at this point I wouldn't worry that it's something medical (my opinion).
Good luck!
My son is 7 and wears Good Nights. He's a deep sleeper. Someone who posted here a few months ago talked about a system where there's a sensor that sets off an alarm and trains them to wake up when they first start to pee. But we haven't tried that yet since I asked him about it and his reaction was really negative. I'm going to try again in a few weeks.
If I were you I'd not worry about it until the new baby is settled in. Go with the Good Nights and minimize the laundry you have to worry about. Maybe he will regain some control as he gets used to having a baby in the house, or maybe not and you can check with the pediatrician then. I agree though, there's no point in punishment/reward systems - it's just frustrating for them.
Check out www.icpa4kids.org to see if chiropractic can help.
Please stop punishing your son! My brother also wet the bed. Your child probably sleeps like a rock. He does not wake up to go to the bathroom. The night diapers are a great idea. Please conside buying a plastic shower curtain, bed pads, and extra sheets. Help him to learn to wash his own sheets and make his bed. He really has a medical condition. Someone in your family had it as well because it is hederity. Never punish someone for something they have no control over. Be proud that he is not embrassed to where the night diaper. It was horrible for my brother. My cousin had it so bad that she reaked of urine all the time. Her mother was sick and could not clean her up all the time. I am glad you are well and can help him with this. Get over the embrassment and anger. Deal with it this way God had so much faith in your ability to help your child that he gave him to you.
I agree with the other moms. you cannot use punishment to help him. My son is 10 and recently outgrew it. He now gets up and goes. When I was a child me and my brother bedwetted and it is very embarrasing and it only hurts the child when you make a huge issue of it. I got one of those plastic sheets and put it over his mattress and never made an issue. I have always been understanding. Your son WILL outgrow it, be patient and understanding. I wish you all the luck!!
I notice that you have a 7 week old. My guess is that your son is feeling displaced as the "baby" of the family and is acting out - albiet subconciously. My suggestion would be to try to spend a little more one-on-one time with him. I realize it's hard with a new baby, but it's probably just what he needs to feel that he's still just as important to you as the baby is.
K.,
I feel you on this one. I really do. My daughter is 9 and still wets the bed, almost every night. It is so frusterating, and I have done all that you have done too, but still, it never stops. She also wears goodnites. We just dont make an issue out of it. I know that I wet the bed till I was 11, but not every night. I know it can be hereditery. Anyhow, good luck to you with this. I wish Lauren would stop, but she has not and she is in the 4th grade. I am sure I will have this problem with Erik too, who is 4, not potty trained yet and is special needs. We take him to the child Neuro on Oct 4th. We think he has autism.
S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com
I have read several articles indicating that that bladder matures more slowly than other parts of the body. In other words, most bed-wetters simply cannot help it. I think it's more of a concern when a potty-trained child suddenly starts wetting during the day. I wouldn't make such an issue of it - simply put him in the GoodNights until he hasn't had an incident for several months.
Sounds like he is trying to be like the 7 week old. Jealous maybe?
My son had this problem until 3rd or 4th grade. while it is a little embarrassing when having a sleep over I found fellow moms to be very discrete and helpful. the good news is that he just eventually outgrew it. I truly believe it was biological and not emotional. Don't include punishments in your efforts- it is probably not something he can control and you should be understanding. Cuttng out drinks/ getting him up to pee before you go to bed are helpful We were very matter of fact about the practical need to wear the pull-ups. he took it in stride and was also matter of fact about it. don't worry- it will work itself out in time.
L
Hi K.!
My son also wets the bed, he is 12. First off, get rid of the Goodnights! We used those on our son and because he was older, the urine is stronger and it caused a sever rash on his stomach. We did take our son to the doctors and they ran some tests, we found out that his bladder is not growing like the rest of his body is, which isn't uncommon. I also found out that you would have to NOT give a person something to drink at least 3-4 days before they will not 'wet' the bed, so not giving your son something to drink before bed isn't doing anything. Our doctor gave us a medicine that he puffs into each nostril before bed and he hasn't had an accident since about 10 days after starting the med. It's been almost 3 months now!! The medicine is Desmopressin Acetate, one puff in each nostril right before bed, thats all. Maybe check with your doctor and see if this will help your son.
Let me know how it goes!
God's Blessings
D.
