| Bed wetting older children and teens can become so | | | | use them when the child is away from home on a |
| embarrassed by the problem that it may start to | | | | sleepover or at camp. You can arrange for a |
| affect their whole personality. They feel they are | | | | responsible adult to dispose of the diaper without |
| unable to lead a normal social life, missing out on | | | | others being aware. |
| sleepovers or going away to camp. This causes | | | | There are a number of alarms on the market that can |
| distress for parents, adding to the worry they feel | | | | be worn attached to nightclothes or the bedding. |
| when they are unable to overcome the problem. | | | | These will sound or vibrate when moisture is detected. |
| It is more common for boys to suffer than girls, and it | | | | Instead of using an alarm that sounds when he or she |
| is quite common for a bed wetting child to have a | | | | has started to bed wet some older children may |
| parent who also wet the bed. Many children do bed | | | | prefer to wear an alarm/vibrating watch. This can be |
| wet occasionally when they are stressed. If it is not a | | | | set to sound at intervals a little earlier than when the |
| regular occurrence, parents should not be concerned | | | | bed wetting normally occurs giving the child time to use |
| about this, but if an older child persistently bed wets, | | | | the bathroom. Even if the child does not always wake |
| when he has previously been dry, medical advice | | | | in time, using the bathroom and achieving some dry |
| should be sought. Most children are dry, with the | | | | nights will encourage them. A protective mat or night |
| occasional relapse, by the age of about six. If they are | | | | diapers can also used to lessen the risk of mattress |
| still bed wetting beyond this year, or if you are | | | | damage if an accident should occur. |
| concerned before this age, you must speak to your | | | | Although the problem can be frustrating, parents should |
| physician to check whether there is a physical reason | | | | always try not to lose patience with bed wetting older |
| that needs treatment. | | | | children and teens. |
| Night diapers, with discreet designs, are available for | | | | This article is for information only and the author |
| bed wetting older children and teens. It is tempting to | | | | accepts no liability for action taken. Medical advice |
| use these to save constantly changing bedding, but | | | | should always be sought from your physician. |
| they will not overcome the problem. It is better just to | | | | |