Faced with this kind of boredom and with the child, it is often difficult for parents to adopt the right attitude. But to take charge of the problem and solve it effectively, it is better to understand all the mechanisms.

Wetting the bed at night (or during a nap) and before the age of 5 is normal. As the child grows, he learns to control his bladder and small “accidents” can therefore occur. If the problem persists after the bladder and brain system matures (i.e. beyond the age of 5), it may beenuresis (complete and involuntary urine output that occurs at night) that is important to take care of. There are two kinds:

• A primary bedwetting that is characterized by bedwetting that continues to occur over a period of several months. They most often follow the maturation period of the young child.
• And a secondary enuresis which corresponds to a return of episodes of bedwetting following a complete stop of several months. This is a return of the problem long after the installation of the child’s toilet. It is in this case that more precise support must be put in place.

Whatever the age, the causes of these episodes of “bedwetting” are numerous. It can be a maturation of the bladder which is slow to occur, psychological suffering (stress, sudden change of environment …) or even a mechanical or pathological problem (disorder of the secretion of the diuretic hormone) which requires medical attention. The question of heredity also arises since studies suggest that when one or both parents have suffered from bedwetting, it is likely that the children will experience the same situation afterwards.

Before the age of 11 and in the presence of primary enuresis, it is better to turn to gentle care to help the child get through this period without making him feel guilty and without creating a blockage and a drop in self-esteem. self. Indeed, such accidents can weaken the child and have serious repercussions on his social life and his self-confidence. Refusal to sleep away from home, to go to summer camp or simply to reach out to others, are all signs that should alert you and encourage you to initiate a discussion with the child and to put in place a strategy.

The child does not purposely wet the bed, so there is no need to scold him. Better to concentrate on simple exercises and an appreciation of dry nights. And to support your approach, small, simple things can be put in place:

• Avoid offering soup and too many drinks at dinner. Without prohibiting the child from drinking (which would be dangerous and unnecessary), consider reducing the amount of fluids in order to limit the filling of the bladder during the night.
• Plan a “pee” ritual before bed. By getting the child used to systematically going to the toilet before going to bed, you make him active in his success and teach him how to manage his bladder.
• Take care to install a night light or soft light illuminating his room sufficiently to allow him to get up and go to the toilet without fear during the night. Fear of the dark can be the cause of overly repetitive bedwetting.
• Do not abuse the protections and forget the diapers that you would too easily want to give him. Instead, leave a towel nearby and protect the mattress. It is counterproductive to infantilize it with the return of diapers which must now belong to the past.
• Involve him in changing the sheets so that he is fully aware of the incident.
• Create a “bedwetting weather calendar” with suns for dry nights and clouds for accidental nights. Little by little the child will enjoy seeing the suns replace the clouds.
• Finally, value and congratulate the child after each night in the dry. It is very important to help him regain self-confidence and encourage him to continue his efforts.

Talking about it and not scolding the child are therefore the first two steps in stopping bedwetting. And so that these accidents are a thing of the past, it is good to reassure him and not to wait too long before consulting a specialist.