Bed wetting is normal. It is part of a toddler’s development. However, it is important that you know its specific cause so you can prevent and treat it. Here are some common causes of bed wetting in children.

Hereditary

Bed wetting can be hereditary. Your toddler may be a bet wetter if both you and your husband were bed wetters when you were young. If this is the case, you do not have to worry since your toddler will simply outgrow it.

Medical Problems

Experts suggest that toddlers may suffer from an underlying medical condition that may be playing a large role in their bed wetting problem. Chronic constipation may be one of these conditions. Lack of regular bowel movements hampers a toddler’s bladder to hold urine which can cause bed wetting at night. Diabetes is another factor. If a toddler is normally dry at night, bed wetting may be the first sign of diabetes. Sleep apnea, a medical condition that causes a disruption in a toddler’s breathing while he sleeps is another reason why a toddler is bed wetting.

Also, if his urine is cloudy or pink, if he has redness or a rash in his genital area, if your toddler strains, feels burning or pain during urination, he may have a urinary tract infection. If you spot any of these signs, call your toddler’s pediatrician as soon as possible.

Inability To Recognize A Full Bladder

A nerve that controls the bladder sends a message to his brain that will alert him that his bladder is full. However, if the nerve that controls the bladder is slow to mature, a full bladder may not wake your toddler, especially if he is a deep sleeper.

Small Bladder

A small functional bladder is another cause of bed wetting in children. Your toddler’s bladder may not be developed enough to hold urine produced during the night.

Transitions

Toddlers feel stressed when major changes happen in their lives. For instance, they may start having bed wetting problems as they enter their school age, the arrival of a new baby in the family or changes in the family structure can trigger bed wetting. Over time, your toddler will cope and learn to adjust with these changes so this problem may just simply be resolved on its own. However, if bed wetting persists, you may need to seek professional help.

Psychological Issues

Your toddler’s bed wetting problems may have an underlying emotional cause, particularly home-related problems. He may not feel that he is safe in his own home due to certain circumstances such as divorce of parents, alcoholism and drug abuse of parents, if he is being abused or is suffering the loss of someone close to him. These psychological related issues need to be addressed professionally as soon as possible. He may need counseling as well as other forms of therapy to help him recover quickly.

Bed wetting can be a trying time for parents and children. It is an inevitable part of growing up, but it does not have to be traumatic.