Coping with bedwetting

Since bedwetting is rarely associated with any significant medical conditions, you will most likely be reassured when your child’s doctor tells you nothing is medically wrong.

Next, you should feel free to discuss your child’s situation with others so that you will not feel alone and you can get some much-needed support. You will probably be amazed by how many of your friends and family members have also been through a similar situation.

Be careful not to discuss the problem with others while your child is around in order to avoid any embarrassment. Remind those you are talking to not to tell other children and their friends. Children can be cruel, and your child may become vulnerable to other children’s ridicule. You may need to walk a fine line (talk a fine line) between having the openness to discuss the problem with others so that you can get a better understanding without violating your child’s privacy.

Once your child’s physician has reassured you that there is not a medical problem causing the bedwetting you should start to establish an environment that is best suited to deal with the problem. Consider informing others that will be taking care of your child about the bedwetting situation. This may include grandparents, teachers, day care workers, and babysitters. Tell them what you are doing to help your child, so that they can be supportive of your treatment approach and supportive to your child. Inform sisters and brothers that bedwetting is not to be made fun of, and that they also need to help. Family discussions are sometimes needed to express the importance of not embarrassing and punishing the child who bed wets.

– Dr. D. Preston Smith

Dr. Smith is board certified and he has authored or co-authored many articles, papers, chapters, and books in Urology and Pediatric Urology. His research has been presented throughout the world. Dr. Smith’s dedication to helping children with urologic problems inspired him to establish PottyMD.