Bedwetting beyond six? Here’s how parents can help kids stay dry at night

Is bedwetting in children really such a serious mistake? Not at all. What really matters, however, is the child’s age. Bedwetting is generally considered normal and acceptable during early childhood, up to the ages of one, two, or even three. But when the habit continues till the age of six, it often becomes a source of concern. At that stage, it is unfortunately not uncommon for family members or neighbours to mock the child by branding them a `bedwetter'.

Parents must recognise that persistent bedwetting beyond a certain age is not just a parental worry but an emotional burden for the child. Most children do not wet the bed intentionally; it occurs unconsciously and beyond their control. In other words, bedwetting is linked to psychological factors. The most common underlying reason is the child’s inability to control urination. In some children, delayed nervous system development can also contribute to this condition.

Heredity, too, plays an important role. If the parents had a history of bedwetting in childhood, the likelihood that the child will inherit the same tendency is much higher. Besides hereditary factors, bedwetting in children can also be triggered by stress from moving to a new environment, conflicts at school or psychological tension. In addition, urinary tract infections, diabetes, hormonal imbalances and emotional stress can also trigger the habit. Many of these causes can be managed or mitigated through lifestyle adjustments.