A relative of mine is about 7 1/2 years old, and still has a problem wetting the bed at night only. His parents have tried EVERYTHING, including the liner you put in the (underwear) and right when it feels wet a LOUD bell goes off (I heard this go off and my sister can hear it 2 rooms down the hall. That didnt work because he didn't hear it! They took him to his DR, who said he could still outgrow it. He didn't dismiss it for that, but said to keep an eye on it.
One of the big problems is that he sleeps so soundly that it is even hard to get him up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom when someone wakes him up (and even then he is wet 3-4 hours after going to sleep). And in the morning he has no recollection of getting up in the middle of the night.
They know 100% that it really something he can't control and is just happening because of the many different ways they have helped him, and lately they said as an incentive if he could go one month withough wetting the bed they'd get him this big very expensive Lego set that he really wants badly. The incentive is really there, and has been for awhile, and he still wets the bed. It is starting to get embarassing for him because he is just that age where he doesn't want to wear a pull-up, or underwear with the consequence of wetting the bed in the middle of the night.
They've tried many things that I dont remember what they had told me, but does anyone have any suggestions of what to do to help him?
Melissa.
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M- I am assuming that he was just taken to his regular pediatrician? Perhaps a specialist (maybe a urologist?) would be the next step? It's nice that the parents have offered the "incentive", but I think that they need to remember that what he is doing is obviously not within his control right now; so, as much as he would probably like to have the Lego set, he might be physically unable to try to cooperate with the "deal" that they are trying to make with him at this point! I am sure that this problem is not willful on his part; he dislikes it as much as his parents.
My sister was a bedwetter as a child, and it also lasted into her later childhood years. I remember my parents frustration, and my sister's embarrassment (especially when she was invited to slumber parties), but she eventually did stop doing it! (That was "back in the day", where taking her to specialists, etc. wouldn't have even been a thought, due to the embarrassment that it would bring to the entire family).
But, times have changed, and with all of the medical specialists, tests, medications, etc. available now, I would hope that the parents would keep trying until they find someone who will be able to help the child. Good luck to all!
M- One more thought! Since you mentioned that he sleeps so soundly, I wonder if taking him to a Sleep Center for testing and a diagnosis might also be something for the parents to try? Especially since you said that he has the problem only during the night. Just another suggestion!
The incentive they offered was kind of like a test (unbeknownst to him), to see if he could really do it, or if it still was out of his control now. If he could do it himself he would have. That was one way they knew it was out of his control now. And they didn't want to back down on their offer.
I'll talk to her about a urologist. Yes, he was taken to his pediatrician. They are still working with him. I will mention a specialist because maybe she hasnt thought of that one yet. Same with medication and the sleep center. Thanks for the great ideas!
About slumber parties, he was invited to one, wanted to go, but not sure if he went or not. It wasn't talked about and I didn't want to ask much because they weren't offering the information like they usually do when something happens.
Melissa.
My step son use to do the same thing. I tried everything. When I put him to bed early, he didn't do it. But when my husband on the weekends would put him to bed late be would.
Now that I have my own daughter, the only time ever she pee'd the bed was once when I let her goto bed very very late. I set an early bedtime and it has not happened.
Our house rule is this. I put a tv with cartoons in her room. As long as she is IN bed, laying down she can have one hour of quiet time of cartoons before sleep time. I lay her down at 7pm. Get up other then to use the bathroom, it goes off. At 8pm, tv off. You get the next nights tv time by staying in bed.
No drinks past 6pm.
Lisa, thank you! That is a great idea. The kids (him and sister and brother) now watch TV at the end of the day as it is, in the living room. One in their bedroom wouldn't work IMO; it would keep them up longer, even when turned off. Maybe I am wrong though ... I'll have to mention it to her. Thanks again.
Melissa.
My son had the same issues and I took him to a urologist. He prescribed him medication to take before bed. It was in the form of a spray that you spray up his nose. Really did the trick until he was old enough to finally grow out of it. I guess just a very solid sleeper. It has been quite a while since we have used the medication so I do not have the name off the top of my head. It was such a great thing. My son could have sleep overs and spend the night at friend's houses. Had really begun to be a problem.
Aparently they were told by his pediatrician to wait to see if it goes away by August of next year (idk why waiting so long though), then the pediatrician will send him to another DR if ti still a problem. That is the plan at the moment from what I know. If you come across the name of the nasal spray will you please post it? Thanks in advance.
Melissa.
Melissa,
I was cleaning out closets this weekend and found an old container of the prescription that my son used. It is called Desmopressin Acetate. It is used to slow down production of urine during the night. Worked like a charm for us with no side effects. Just one squeeze up each nostril (which he didn't mind at all) before bed and no more problems. Tell your relative to check it out! Just used till he finally caught up with waking up to the urge to urinate. Let me know.
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