Reasons Your 11-Year-Old Might Be Wearing Diapers

Most children can stay dry throughout the night between eighteen and thirty-six months. This is the same time when parents usually potty train their kids. Potty training is an exciting passage for the mother and the child. However, there are some situations where this process becomes halted or prolonged. In such a case, diapers may be needed for a more extended time.

If your 11-year-old child is wearing diapers, he’s probably bedwetting. Also called nocturnal diuresis, bedwetting is a normal part of development before seven years. Deep sleepers tend to have more issues with this condition, but it can occur to anyone. However, once your kid surpasses this point, bedwetting becomes a cause of concern. Stay tuned to learn more about bedwetting and its various contributing factors.

Reasons Why Your 11-Year-Old Is Still Wearing Diapers

Here are a couple of reasons to make your 11-year-old child bedwet and wear diapers.

Lack Of Control

Issues with bladder control are one of the leading causes of bedwetting. This means your kid has a small bladder or has trouble recognizing when their bladder is full. This is primarily due to genetic factors and can be fixed by limiting beverages before bedtime.

Cutting beverages 1-2 hours before going to bed can help. Also, ensure your child visits the restroom immediately before bed, even if they don’t feel like it.

If doing so is not enough, avoid giving your child caffeine triggers, increasing the need to urinate. Examples of caffeine triggers include tea, soda, or chocolate. These foods should be limited in the daytime and eliminated at night.

Stress

Stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can also make your 11-year-old need to wear diapers. In most cases, the loss of a loved one or a child’s parents undergoing a divorce can lead to a sudden bout of bladder issues.

Treating the leading cause can be a little challenging in such a case. Time and patience are crucial in this situation, as additional stress can exacerbate the problem. Engaging in physical exercise and spending more time outdoors can help reduce stress over time. However, if the problem persists without any improvement, seek conselling from your doctor on the best way to resolve it.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes bedwetting is not a condition in itself but is caused by underlying medical conditions. If the disease comes and goes, that may signify temporary illness. But if it persists, it may be due to a more severe disorder.

Urinary Tract Infection

This involves a urinary system infection and is more common in girls, especially those who wipe themselves incorrectly after a bowel movement. Urinary tract infections can also lead to a burning sensation in the urethra and increased urination. If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to bladder or kidney infections. But the good thing is that it can be easily cured with antibiotics.

Remember, although boys are less prone to UTIs, they can still develop the condition, especially if uncircumcised. Usually, symptoms of these conditions are the same for both genders.

Constipation

Constipation is characterized by having less than three bowel movements in a week or regular difficulty passing stool during bathroom visits. This may put pressure on the bladder, leading to random incontinence.

To solve this problem, optimum hydration, daily consumption of foods rich in fiber like fruits and vegetables, and engaging in physical exercise may help. Examples of such foods are those starting with P – prunes, pumpkin, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, and pineapples. These foods are tasty, packed with fiber, and have high water content.

If these natural remedies don’t seem to work, speak with your healthcare provider about other ways of managing constipation. Constipation may come and go, so watch for the signs and talk with your kid when symptoms arise.

Diabetes

Diabetes type 1 is another more serious condition to watch when your 11-year-old is wearing diapers. One of the early symptoms of this condition is bedwetting. This is caused by the excess amount of urine produced by the body to aid in flushing out excess glucose in the system. Excessive urination and thirst are other common symptoms of this disease.

According to Mayo, diabetes usually occurs between 4-7 and 10-14 years. So be on the lookout when your child suddenly starts requiring diapers and has hit double digits. However, kids at this age may be uncomfortable discussing the problem. So, be on the lookout for these symptoms and encourage having an open conversation with your kids. Doing so is crucial in helping catch the disease early.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by a lack of impulse control. This condition can affect a child’s ability to focus on cues that other children instinctively recognize. According to studies, bedwetting is three times more likely in kids with ADHD than in those who do not.

In this case, you’d want to treat the triggers, as the cause is a lack of control. Here, you can limit liquids, schedule bathroom breaks before bed, and set a nighttime bathroom alarm that will wake your kid to relieve themselves before the need arises. Doing so will help your kid learn to recognize when they need to visit the bathroom.

How To Stop Your 11-Year-Old From Wearing Diapers

If your 11-year-old is wearing diapers to manage incontinence issues, try to find the root cause and address it accordingly. If left untreated, most of these medical conditions can become worse.

Build an environment where your child feels at ease talking about uncomfortable topics regarding their physical and emotional health. Engage them in regular, open discussions about their health and feelings before issues arise. Let them know that you’ll always be there to help them no matter the problem.

Lastly, staying positive amidst everything is essential. The cause for this condition is likely out of your kid’s control. And although it may be frustrating, try and be encouraging and patient. Ask your kid about other changes they’ve noticed to help narrow down the triggers and give you an idea of the cause. If things don’t change, visit your doctor to discuss noticeable changes and potential solutions.

Conclusion

Your 11-year-old wearing diapers can be a difficult situation to handle. If they do so because of incontinence, find the root cause and rectify it. If things don’t improve, consult your doctor.