Nocturnal enuresis: The problem of waking up with a wet bed

It is estimated that more than half a million children in Spain find their bed wet on a regular basis when they wake up in the morning. This is because at some point in the night they have leaked their urine, at an age when control should already be present.

A health problem that has a solution, but on too many occasions and generally out of embarrassment it is difficult to expose in the consultation. A totally involuntary childhood disorder that is not the child's fault, and that in no case is going to be solved by scolding him or her, if not by providing support from home and with the appropriate professional treatment.

From what age do we have to worry?

In Spain, diaper removal in children generally occurs between 2 and 3 years of age.. It is common for this to happen a few months later at night, and there may even be some cases of children who are lagging behind who end up forgetting their diaper at 4 years of age.

Of course, after the age of 5, experts agree that wetting the bed is already a problem that we need to treat.

Why is urine leaking?

While we sleep, our body produces less urine and increases the capacity of the bladder to retain it, but if our bladder is still full, we will wake up to go to the bathroom.

In children with nocturnal enuresis these mechanisms do not work well. They will not be able to wake up with the desire to urinate, generally because they do not perceive that need, and it is also likely that the production of nocturnal urine is increased or that the capacity of the bladder to retain it is decreased.

What if I make him drink less?

What is recommended is not to give less fluids, but to regulate the time when you ingest them. In the morning you can drink as much as you want, but in the afternoon we will try to reduce your fluid intake and before going to bed you should not drink anything. Not overloading the bladder at night can help control the problem.

Is it true that it is more frequent in boys than in girls?

Yeah. This is due to the fact that the bladder matures more quickly in girls than in boys, so, being the same age, girls have a greater capacity to retain urine than boys.. In addition, the hormonal system that regulates the production of urine at night develops earlier in girls, so they will produce less pee during the night than they do.

How do we approach it with the child?

In no case should we hide or minimize the problem, much less make him feel guilty or scold him.. We have to show him that we understand what is happening to him and transmit confidence and security.

We can explain to him that it is more common than he thinks, in a class of 20 5-year-old students there are about 3 children to whom the same thing happens, and that it is a small delay in bladder control that with his effort and help will manage to solve

How can it be affecting him?

We know that it is a problem that can have a significant emotional impact on children.. Low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, anxiety, shame or social isolation are just some of the emotional consequences that can result.

Can it be solved without doing anything?

Waiting for the problem to go away on its own is an option, but it is certainly not the most advisable. It is estimated that every year 15% of cases are resolved without doing anything, but also that 3% continue to wet the bed beyond 20 years of age, so as we can see this option is slow and unsafe.

Is it a problem that is inherited?

It can be inherited, yes. It is estimated that 7 out of 10 children with nocturnal enuresis have relatives who are having or have had this same problem.