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Expert Q&A

	By Michael F. Wasserman General Pediatrician

I have two great granddaugthers who are 9 and 8 years old. They wet the bed every night. I take care of them a lot, and I would like to help them and their mother get them over this problem. What can we do to help my granddaugthers? They are getting older, and I want to help. They have wet the bed for a long time.

For bedwetting, I would suggest beginning with some behavior modification training, including using a night time alarm system. Limiting fluids after dinner, practicing bladder strengthening exercises may be helpful. Alarms, which are available through stores and over the Internet, teach the child that if she wets the bed, an unpleasant noise occurs. Thus, the child subconsciously works harder to not have these accidents.

If the above method is not satisfactory, there is a medication available that allows for better concentration of urine and easier storage in the bladder, thus diminishing accidents.

Working on this problem is important, because we want to preserve the girls' self-esteem.

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