Bedwetting

What is meant by bedwetting?

Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is said to be present when a child over the age of five years wets the bed persistently. More specifically, it is defined as wetting the bed at least three nights per week in a child who has no congenital (inborn) abnormalities or other underlying health problems causing the bedwetting. Treatment is usually appropriate from about the age of five years onwards.

Is it a common problem?

Bedwetting is a very common childhood problem. At the age of five years old, more than 1 in 6 children still wet the bed. This becomes 1 in 20 by the age of 10 years and even in adulthood 1 in 100 still suffers from this problem.

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Why does bedwetting occur?

Many factors have been associated with bedwetting. These include, a family history of bedwetting, stress in the family, or simply too much urine being produced overnight. Children are sometimes punished by their parents or ridiculed by their peers for wetting the bed which can make the problem worse or encourage it to continue.
In the majority of children the skill required to stay dry all night may take a little time. However, getting some help can speed up the process and may save a great deal of heartache and embarrassment.

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What treatments are available for your child?

Between the ages of five and seven it is normal to give practical advice and encouragement to both you and your child. The doctor may also check that the nerves which control the passing of urine and the drainage channels of the kidney and bladder are normal and that there is no infection in the urine.
Your doctor may give your child a star chart to complete, to encourage your child to stay dry and to keep a record of the pattern of bedwetting. If there is a long delay in getting bladder control, your doctor may refer your child to a specialist clinic (often called an enuresis clinic).
If, by the age of seven, your child is still wetting the bed, your doctor may suggest using an enuresis alarm to help train the bladder. This consists of a pad, which you put on the bed under your child, linked to a bell or buzzer. As soon as your child starts to pass urine while asleep, the alarm sounds to awaken him or her. However, alarms require a great deal of motivation from both you and your child.
If your child is distressed by the bedwetting, or if it is interfering with holidays or daily life, your doctor can prescribe medicine in the form of tablets or a nasal spray from the age of five years old.
It is important to remain positive, the bedwetting will get better with the right treatment.

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What makes bedwetting more likely?

• Negative attitudes from parents or carers, including punishments for wet nights and making the child feel guilty.
• Stress of separation, as in going into hospital or a family breakdown.
• Infections of the urinary tract.

Help your child

• Do not restrict fluids, but do avoid coke, tea and coffee before bedtime.
• Encourage your child to go to the toilet before bed.
• Try to be understanding about wet nights.
• Praise dry nights.
• Involve your child fully in the treatment plan.
• Use a dim night-light to help guide the child to the toilet
• Provide a potty or container in the bedroom if the toilet is some distance away.
• Use a waterproof mattress cover.
• Remember, your child has to want to be dry and you must have patience.

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Further information

This factsheet supported by FERRING PHARMACEUTICALS LTD

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