We've had discussions before on older kids (i.e. well past daytime toilet trained) wetting the bed. There was a post about it on Ask Moxie a few days ago* and several of the commenters mentioned a link between constipation and bed wetting, one I hadn't heard but it makes sense. One commenter posted this article:

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2012/03/bed_wettin...


I'm very interested in this theory because of the idea that people might be constipated even though they show none of the symptoms. So, a kid who eats well and has regular BMs might still be constipated which would affect his/her ability to stay dry consistently. Anyone out there have any experiences or anecdata to share? The article is long on ideas but short on specific direction.

Quick backstory: Hobbes will be eight next month and will sometimes be dry at night on his own but prefers when I (a former bedwetter myself) get him up to pee a few hours after he's fallen asleep. (This past week, he's been wet in the morning, even with an assist from me.) Limiting liquids before bedtime is something I don't like doing and doesn't seem to affect things one way or the other. A monetary incentive offer (from DH, not a former bedwetter) hasn't worked, either. I'm mostly in the "he'll grow out of it camp" and we don't shame him about it. He eats a good, varied diet full of fruits, vegetables and other sources of fiber and has regular BMs. However, this article really has me thinking.

My main concerns are:

+ Broaching the topic with our pediatrician (e.g. bringing the article to the appointment)

+ Getting something like this diagnosed without a lot of invasive tests

+ Treating this (assuming a diagnosis) as holistically as possible


Would love to hear others' thoughts, too.






* http://www.askmoxie.org/2013/02/anyone-else-out-there-with-a...