One in five parents in Ireland don’t talk to anyone about their child’s bedwetting, 46 per cent use pull-up nappies and 32 percent lift their child out of bed, often several times in a night.
This is according to a nationwide survey on bedwetting in children over five by DryDawn.ie, the new online resource and app to help families deal with bedwetting.
However, these practices are merely dealing with the symptoms, and don’t do much to help the issue, say experts.
Bedwetting is quite common in children, so often we assume they’ll just grow out of it. And while this is true in some cases, it’s important to know that bedwetting is actually often a medical condition which can be treated effectively with professional help. Medically known as nocturnal enuresis, it is an uncontrollable leakage of urine while asleep and is often caused by over-production of urine at night or reduced capacity of the bladder.
And perhaps one of the reasons parents don’t seek help for the condition is because it was, and still is to some extent, a commonly held misconception that bedwetting is caused by a psychological problem, which stigmatised the condition.
However, we need to push past this and be the bringers of change here, because unless treated, the condition can have far-reaching emotional effects on kids, particularly if they’re over five years.
Bedwetting is life-limiting for many kids says the study; 61 percent are worried their friends will find out about their bedwetting, 59 percent skip sleep-overs, while 34 percent won’t join a social group that involves overnight trips. And even when it comes to the family holiday, 16 percent aren’t looking forward it.
While physically, bedwetting can cause sleep disruption, affecting mood, energy and concentration. According to DryDawn’s research 30 percent of parents say their child is tired during the day, over a quarter say they are irritable, 24 percent are overly emotional, and 12 percent have difficulty concentrating in school.
“This research has shown the severe impact bedwetting can have on children’s lives and their families’ and in many cases this anxiety is unnecessary,” says Dr Nick van der Spek, Consultant Paediatrician, Cavan General Hospital. “This campaign encourages parents and children to openly discuss the issues bedwetting can create and for those affected to get the support they need so that bedwetting doesn’t impact on their child’s health and wellbeing any further.
“The treatment of bedwetting is dependent on its cause so it is important that parents speak to their healthcare professional to treat this condition quickly and effectively.”
DryDawn.ie has been developed by the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS). The site is full of helpful, easy to navigate resources, while the handy DryDawn app is designed for children to use with their parents, allowing families to input daily information on bedwetting behaviour while encouraging the child to be fully involved in the process of addressing their bedwetting. This recorded information can then be brought to their healthcare professional to assist with diagnosis and treatment.
For more information on bedwetting and to get professional support and advice, visit DryDawn.ie or download the DryDawn app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
