Night-time bedwetting

Bedwetting is also called nocturnal enuresis, or sometimes just enuresis. It can be a common condition that impacts:

• 1 in 5 children at 5 years.

• 1 in 10 children at 10 years.

• 1 in 30 to 100 teenagers at 15 to 17 years.

Bedwetting can have serious impact for children and their families. Children can feel guilt, shame and failure at being different or not being able to control their bladder at night. They might avoid social activities such as sleepovers or school camp where their condition might be exposed. For families, it can cause financial cost, time and effort in cleaning and frustration that causes relationships to suffer. Children may even experience bullying both by their peers and within their family.

Most of the time bedwetting has an underlying mental or physical cause that needs treatment. If you are concerned about your child’s bedwetting, contact your general practitioner. They may be able to do some tests and in some instances may refer you to a specialist gastroenterologist for follow up.

You can download a great resource for parents/carers here. It’s published by the Children’s Hospital Westmead and John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

Nocturnal Enuresis Resource Kit: Nocturnal Enuresis Resource Kit second edition.pdf (neresourcekit.com.au)