Bed Wetting (Enuresis)

What is bed wetting?

Bed wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is common in children under the age of 5, and most naturally grow out of it; so it is nothing to worry about.

This can continue in older children and it can be classified into two different types:

The reasons are not fully understood why some children wet the bed, but it happens when there is no conscious awareness during sleep that they might need the toilet and is often more common in boys than girls.

Most children think they're the only ones that wet the bed, as it's often not talked about. So, start a conversation about bed wetting, snuggle up and watch how our own cuddly Bedtime Buddy, Norman, can help your child overcome bed wetting.

Parents often feel like the child is being lazy and the child often thinks that there is something wrong with them, and for an older child it can often create a social awkwardness, for example when they are invited for a friends sleepover or a school trip.

Bed wetting is often an inevitable part of growing up and it doesn't have to be a traumatic experience.

Why do children wet the bed?

Why some children take longer than others to become dry at night isn't fully understood. It's not linked to poor toilet training or laziness.

Although bed wetting isn't fully understood, we know the following reasons could be triggering the situation:

The good news is that for most children something can be done to help identify, manage and resolve these possible causes of wetting the bed. A visit to your GP or school nurse is always recommended where treatment options can be discussed.

How to stop bed wetting?

The cause isn’t always medical. Bedwetting may result from lifestyle changes that increase anxiety or stress, such as starting a new school, exams, bullying or the birth of a new sibling. So why not ask your child how they are feeling? You can also try the following;