By Rose Ebere – Family Affair Editor, Africa –
As children learn to control their bladders, they may wet the bed as they grow. From ages 0 to 6, it may occur frequently, whereas a child over 12 can also wet their bed. Even adults can also wet their beds. Bedwetting may not be a medical problem, but the embarrassment it causes can take away some children’s joy, and as such, they may avoid sleeping over at places they would have loved to in order to avoid embarrassment. “Bedwetting can be genetic and can run in families…” as reported on the Cleveland Clinic website, which calls it nocturnal enuresis. 15-year-olds and some over 18 can wet the bed. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry said more boys than girls wet the bed.
Bedwetting makes one wake up smelling of soiled night clothes, and the bed or foam on which the bedwetter slept will also be wet and need drying. Bedwetting can make a room smell and cause constant washing of clothes and wet surfaces. Though children are trying to learn to control their bladders, an adult’s peeing may suggest a problem, for example, a lack of bowel movements during the day.
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Causes or things that worsen bedwetting and solutions:
- Consuming liquids like tea and drinking pap at night may predispose children, teenagers, and even adults to wet the bed.
- Certain dreams predispose people to bed-wetting. People have dreamt of peeing and waking up to find their night clothes and bed wet. When you are dreaming and conscious, wake up before you wet the bed. Wake the children up and help them go and pee while they sleep. As a parent, know the intervals at which you may choose to wake your child to take them out to pee until they master bladder control.
- In some places, where children or teenagers need to go outside to pee, they may wet their beds when they are afraid of the dark and unable to go outside.
- Medical conditions, especially when adults or teenagers wet the bed, can cause it. Don’t be ashamed to speak to your doctor or your parents and let them help you solve the problem. Medical conditions, such as bladder abnormalities, can cause it. Allow a doctor to diagnose you and help you.
- If it becomes daytime bedwetting, take it seriously and seek medical help for your child or teenager.
We know adults can take care of themselves when they wet the bed, but the welfare of your kids or teenagers is paramount. Help them navigate bedwetting.
Mrs. Rose Ebere is a retired headmistress. She has over 40 years of teaching and counseling experience. She taught and counseled primary school pupils and their parents for 35 years. Her career included serving as head of two large public primary schools at different times. She has an Associate Certificate in Education and a B.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is a grandmother. She now spends a lot of time caring for her grandkids. She also does some counseling as a hobby. You can contact her at editors@heartmendersmagazine.com.