Bedwetting is a complex condition that can often be a source of worry for parents and children. 

Many parents worry about the impact of bedwetting on their child’s emotional and social wellbeing, whilst children can experience feelings of anxiety and embarrassment that can lead to low self-esteem.

Bedwetting can also cause other issues, such as sleep disruption and increased laundry, which can cost families time and money.

Experts say there are two types of bedwetters.  The first and most common is the one who has never really been dry.  The second is the child who has been dry for a reasonable length of time and then starts wetting the bed again.

Regardless of the type, bedwetting is a common problem so if you have a child who wets the bed then you are not alone.

To give you an idea of just how common bedwetting is, consider that in a school class of 30 children:

• At age five, five or more children will wet the bed.
• At age seven, around two children will wet the bed.
• At age 10, one or two children will wet the bed.
• At age 12, at least one child will wet the bed.
• At age 15, one child in every two classes will wet the bed. 

Bedwetting is not caused by laziness or rebelliousness.  The most common causes of bedwetting are: 

• Developmental delays (i.e. when the pathways which allow a full bladder to tell the brain to wake the child and make them go to the toilet have not fully developed). 
• Difficulty waking up from sleep when they get ‘the urge’ to go.
• The production of more urine at night than the bladder can store.
• A family history of bedwetting.

Bedwetting is a complex condition that can take time, patience and commitment to resolve, both by yourself and your child. 

If your child is not bothered by their bedwetting, trying to force the issue will almost guarantee failure, however this is rare as most children want to be dry.

The first step to getting help for bedwetting is to speak to your doctor.  Your doctor may help you tackle the condition or choose to refer you to a health professional who specialises in the area such as a continence nurse advisor. 
It is usually rare for there to be a serious medical problem associated with bedwetting.  However, if you have a child who has been dry during the day for months or years and who has begun to wet, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately to check for infection or other physical or emotional problems.

The good news is that there are a number of ways to treat bedwetting, which can usually be done without the use of drugs. 

The Continence Foundation of Australia recommends speaking to your doctor or a continence nurse advisor about your options and working with your child to figure out the best option to suit both your needs.  Working together is the first step towards treatment when it comes to bedwetting.

To find out where your closest continence nurse advisor is (and whether or not you need a referral from your GP to see them) speak to one of the continence nurse advisors on the National Continence Helpline on freecall 1800 33 00 66.

In the meantime, remember the following tips when dealing with bedwetting:

- Don’t restrict fluids in the evening, as this can make the problem worse by reducing the bladder’s ability to expand and hold large volumes of urine.
- Avoid waking your child up in the middle of the night to take them to the toilet.
- Only reward your child for behaviour they can control (i.e. don’t reward them for not wetting the bed instead, reward for helping to clean up).
- Don’t make the cleaning up process a punishment for the child.
- Don’t make them feel as though they have done something wrong.

Remember, bedwetting can take time to treat, but it can be treated by working as a team with your child.

For more information about bedwetting – including access to a wide range of free information brochures - contact the National Continence Helpline on freecall 1800 33 00 66 or visit www.continence.org.au