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Bedwetting can be embarrassing and upsetting for your child and not to mention frustrating for you. Causes for bedwetting are different in children of different ages. In younger children, experts believe there could be more than one underlying reason for bedwetting. It could either be due to medical or psychological factors, or both.

Bladder function sometimes comes into play in this condition. The bladder is smaller in children, which means its capacity to store urine is also very less as compared to teenagers or adults. Your child’s bladder will only reach its full size by the time they’re 12. The small nature of the bladder makes it more likely for them to pass urine at night, especially if their liquid production is high. Or some children are also affected by what is known as the ‘overactive bladder syndrome’, here the bladder muscles go into spasm resulting involuntary passing of urine.

Urine production may also be a reason for bedwetting. A hormone called vasopressin that is responsible for the regulation of urine creation, sometimes doesn’t produce sufficient amounts of vasopressin, meaning that the kidneys end up producing way too much urine than the bladder can cope with. In addition to this, caffeinated drinks can stimulate an increase in the creation of urine.

The nerves that signal the brains that the bladder is full, might sometimes not be fully developed. This could result in a weak signal being sent and your child might wake up just after he has wet himself. Emotional or psychological factors such as stress or worry could also be the reason for a child’s bedwetting habit. Sometimes the arrival of a new baby, being bullied in school or even fear of the dark can be quite upsetting for a child.

Bedwetting in teenagers is a bit less as compared to young children. A common reason for bedwetting at this age is enuresis or more specifically nocturnal enuresis. Here, teenagers relieve themselves involuntarily in their sleep. Like in young children, the causes of enuresis vary from teenager to teenager. To stop bedwetting in teenagers, you must consult a doctor to understand the main cause behind the problem.

Most children will outgrow bedwetting, but here are some home remedies to help your child through this phase:

• Patience: While bedwetting may be quite upsetting for a parent, it is twice as much stressful and embarrassing for the child. Don’t scold your child, remember your child doesn’t want to wet his bed; it is something that he is coping with. Learn to be patient with your child; any more stress could only aggravate the situation. And praise your child if he has stayed dry throughout the night.
• Bathroom timing: Make sure your child develops a habit of going to the bathroom before going to bed.
• Fluid intake: Limit your child’s fluid intake at night. Any playful physical activity during this time might result in your child wanting more fluid to drink than the usual amounts, instead indulge in mentally stimulating games.
• Caffeine: It is best to avoid your child having these drinks before bedtime. and preferably altogether.
• Cranberry juice: It is a good remedy for bedwetting. Give your child a glass of cranberry juice an hour before bed.
• Walnuts: They help support the digestive tract. Two walnuts along with a teaspoon of raisins an hour before bedtime can do the trick.
• Herbs: Chewing of cinnamon bark once a day is said to reduce the frequency of urination. A massage of St. John’s wort oil on the inner thighs can also help treat bedwetting. Apart from this, herbs like corn silk, horse tail, lemon balm and zea mays work as the most effective home remedies for bedwetting.

Reference

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001556.htm