Bedwetting is a phase that passes for many children, but for children with ADHD it is often a little different. Parents of a child with ADHD often notice that the bed is still wet even when the child is older. This can cause frustration, embarrassment or even sleep problems for both the child and the parents. Yet bedwetting in children with ADHD is a well-known phenomenon that can be easily explained and fortunately something can be done about it.
In this article we will tell you more about the relationship between ADHD and bedwetting. What are the causes? How can you deal with it? And what role can a structured approach such as the Dryly bedwetting alarm play?
What is the link between ADHD and bedwetting?
In children with ADHD, the brain works slightly differently. These children are often easily distracted, have difficulty concentrating and have difficulty controlling their impulses. What many parents don't know is that these neurological differences also affect a child's urination behavior, especially at night.
Studies show that children with ADHD are up to three times more likely to experience bedwetting than children without ADHD. The cause of ADHD and bedwetting is rarely physical; the bladder and kidneys usually function fine. But control of the urinary reflex is not as smooth because of other brain processes.
Why do children with ADHD wet the bed more often?
Several factors play into bedwetting among children with ADHD, including:
- Impaired stimulus processing.
Children with ADHD register stimuli such as a full bladder less quickly and well. As a result, they do not wake up, or wake up too late, to the signal that they need to urinate.
ADHD is often accompanied by sleep problems. Children either sleep extremely deeply or very restlessly. In either of these cases, this can increase the likelihood of bedwetting because the body does not respond adequately to the bladder stimulus.
Children with ADHD often have difficulty controlling their impulses. This also applies to urination behavior. For example, during the day you may see them delay urination because they are too busy doing other things. This behavior often translates to nighttime as well.
In some children, insufficient antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is produced at night. As a result, the body produces more urine than normal. This is more common in children with ADHD.
Together, these factors show that bedwetting in ADHD is not just a ''phase,'' but a pattern that requires extra guidance.
The emotional impact of bedwetting in ADHD
In addition to physical discomfort, ADHD with bedwetting can also be mentally taxing. Children can often feel embarrassed, insecure or afraid to stay with other children. This affects their self-confidence, especially if they see/think that other peers have been dry for a long time.
It can also be tough on parents. Nightly changing, frustration over recurring accidents and concern about the child's development, this requires a lot of energy. Therefore, it is important not to trivialize bedwetting in ADHD, but to deal with it patiently and understandingly.
What can you do in ADHD & Bedwetting
Although bedwetting in ADHD can be persistent, there is certainly something that can be done about it. An effective approach to this often involves a combination of structure, support and possibly tools. Consider:
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Create set routines: set bedtimes, a toilet visit before bedtime and a resting time help the body get used to predictability.
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Encourage awareness: explain what happens in the body when the bladder is full and why it is important to listen to those signals.
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Limit drinking in the evening: allow your child to drink enough during the day, but phase it out starting at dinner.
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Use supportive tools: for example, the bedwetting alarm
A standard bedwetting alarm does not always work optimally for children with ADHD, because they do not pick up the stimuli as well. Therefore, a child-friendly and playful approach is often more effective.
Dryly, the bedwetting alarm for children with ADHD
Dryly has designed a system that is also suitable for children who need support with nighttime potty training. The Dryly method consists of a pee alarm, pants and and a handy app.
What sets Dryly apart is the combination of an effective and child-friendly method. The cheerful mascot Wizzu guides your child through the process and makes it fun to get started. The alarm goes off at the first drops of urine, so your child learns to eventually wake up before get bed is really wet.
For children with ADHD, it's also extra nice that Dryly gives insight to parents through the app. You can see exactly how often your child pees at night and if there is progress. This helps with targeted training together, without guilt or frustration.
Moreover, Dryly provides structure, which is exactly what a child with ADHD needs.
Bedwetting in ADHD thus requires a different approach
Bedwetting in ADHD is therefore a combination of physical and neurological factors. It is not unwillingness or laziness of the child, on the contrary. Especially these children need rest, understanding and guidance.
With a structured approach, possibly supported by a tool such as Dryly, you can help your child achieve dry nights step by step. This not only gives the child, but also yourself as a parent more peace, grip and confidence in the situation.
