Bedwetting
How families live with bedwetting
KA, Ontario
Profile of first child
- Current Age: 13
- Age Started: 7
- Gender: boy
Is your child frustrated?
Extremely frustrated
Why?
He felt he was at fault - he wanted to be like other kids, hid wet sheets, and worried that he was causing a lot of extra house work.
Are you frustrated?
Extremely frustrated
Why?
I'm worried about my son's low self-esteem. There's also lots of extra work cleaning sheets.
How did you react when your child began wetting their bed?
I talked to my child and told him it was normal - that nothing was wrong and he will grow out of it, but not sure when he will.
What have you done to try and control your child's bedwetting?
He wakes up at night, we restrict fluid at night, we've tried pull-ups, which worked most of the time - sometimes there would be leakage. The doctor suggested DDAVP melt - it's working really well.
How did this work?
The DDAVP melt is working really well.
What measures would you recommend to other parents dealing with their child's bedwetting?
I recommend giving your child the bedwetting facts, be supportive, layer bed sheets, and avoid making it a big deal - it is normal so be patient.
Why would you recommend them?
Need to be patient, we used DDAVP melt when they're older.
How has your child's bedwetting affected their participation in social activities like sleep overs at friends houses?
He would go to sleepovers and camp and hide the pull-ups from the other children.
What is your child's self-esteem level?
Very poor
How has your child's bedwetting affected their self-esteem?
He hid the sheets, felt he was inconveniencing the family - he's not that happy.
How has your child's bedwetting affected you and other members of their household?
We cope well - there's extra work with laundry, but we support and encourage son.
What other advice would you offer other parents dealing with a child's bedwetting?
Make sure you sit down and talk to your child, and explain that it is normal and be supportive - they will outgrow it.
