What is bedwetting?

Bedwetting can happen when a person (child or adult) is not aware that they need to wee at night and don’t wake up in time to use the toilet.

Staying dry at night is a balance between the amount of wee made during sleep and the ability of the bladder to hold that wee overnight.

Bedwetting is more common than most parents or carers think. It can also significantly affect your child socially and emotionally. Your child may feel left out, different to their classmates and have lower self-esteem.

Bedwetting is not your child’s fault

Your child may feel that wetting their bed is their fault, but it is not. Most children are dry at night by their fifth birthday. If your child is five years old and still wetting their bed, there may be a reason why.

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What causes bedwetting?

As a parent or carer, you may feel like you’ve tried all options to stop your child’s bedwetting. There can be many reasons why your child is wetting the bed.


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Bedwetting is a treatable condition

It is important that bedwetting is treated early. There are many ways to help your child overcome bedwetting. Medical options are also available and can be discussed with your child’s doctor or nurse.

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If you have specific questions or concerns, talk to your child's doctor, school nurse, health visitor or pharmacist.

Bladder and Bowel UK offer a confidential helpline. If you would like to speak to someone, email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or phone: +44 (0)161 214 4591. You can also visit this website for more information: www.bbuk.org.uk/children-young-people/children-resources.

Support, information and resources are also available from ERIC, The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity: www.eric.org.uk and their freephone helpline: +44 (0)808 169 9949

            

This website is intended for UK residents only.

Job code: UK-MN-2300010 I Date of preparation: June 2023