Before I start this, let me tell you that I have always been concerned, but lately I am really concerned....

My ds is 6 1/2. He has been potty trained since he was 2 1/2, nightime though we had a little problem. He had problems peeing in his bed for several years. We tried everything we could think, not letting him drink past a certain time at night, making him go to the bathroom every 30 mins for the past two hours he was up at night, etc.

Well, a little over a year ago, after I had a mad storming fit at 2 in the morning after being up every night changing sheets, he stopped. We went for months with no problems. It was actually weird taking sheets off of his bed becuase they needed washed because he hadn't peed in them, kwim?

Anyway, he still has problems if we aren't constantly on him. If we slip and he doesn't go to the bathroom before bed time or if we are out late and he has something to drink, he still ends up having an accident during the night.

Now, I know that boy's bodies develop slower than girls and that sometimes it takes their bladders longer to develop, but at this age should we go see a doctor or is this just something he's going to have to deal with? Lord, I hope not!

By Kate on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 09:27 am:

From what *I've* read and understand, it is NOT cause for concern. I even know a 7 1/2 year old GIRL who does this during the DAY (at school, no less!) and HER doctor isn't concerned! Frankly, I think her doctor is wrong, but in the case of NIGHTTIME wetting at 6 1/2, that seems to be rather common. But if it really bothers you, just run it by your pediatrician. Is he a really sound sleeper? That could be part of it.

By Sunny on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 09:50 am:

Bedwetting Information

If you're really concerned talk to the doctor. From what I understand, it could ether be a physical or psychological cause, but you won't know unless you talk to the doctor.

By Kaye on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 10:12 am:

We have been through all the testing, it isn't fun. pretty much what we learned through the process is boys often don't stay dry at night until they are 7-8. If they have been dry for a long period at night and then start wetting then there is a concern. The very first thing they had us do was cut out the 4 c's (caffine, carbonation, citrus and chocolate). Nothing to drink after 7, period. And then have him potty before bedtime. This often just makes a huge difference. Nope we shouldn't have to remind them this much, but sometimes kids just need it. Honestly with my son some of it was just lazy. The second thing they did was log how many times at night he wet. We had a calendar and had to write it down. We then could see what the pattern was, did we do something later that night etc. We actually never did find a "cause" for my son. He did mostly stop, but he has had many medical issues and my gut says that all this was related. Anyway, it couldn't hurt to talk to your doc, but it is probably nothing.

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 11:07 am:

My son is 4 and still wets the bed about 3 or 4 nights a week. I am concerned, too, but I hear it is normal. My ds is a VERY SOUND sleeper, which I think is the main problem. But what am I supposed to do about THAT?? LOL

By Gammiejoan on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 08:50 pm:

My older ds wet the bed until he was almost eight. We did speak with the pediatrician about it, and he told us that it was not that uncommon and that our ds's system was just not mature enough at that time to allow him to go until morning without urinating. Plus our ds was a very sound sleeper. The pediatrician told us that we should not be concerned nor should we make our ds feel guilty about something that he couldn't help. After eight our ds never wet the bed any more. Oh, another interesting thing that the pediatrician told us was that boys were more likely to wet the bed if their fathers had wet the bed. Prior to that I had no idea that my dh had wet the bed as a boy, but afterwards he told me that indeed he had.