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Bedwetting

Bedwetting happens when your child makes more pee at night than their bladder can hold. Young children often don't wake to the feeling of a full bladder. This means that they wet their bed whilst they are sleeping. It can run in families. Boys are more likely to wet the bed than girls.

Up to the age of 5 years, wetting the bed is normal. It usually stops happening as your child gets older without the need for any treatment:

  • Up to 1 in 5 children age 5 wet the bed
  • 1 in 20 children age 10 wet the bed
  • About 1 in 50 teenagers wet the bed
  • About 1 in 100 teenagers continue to wet the bed into adulthood

If your child is under 5, you don't need to see your GP or health visitor about their bedwetting unless:

  • It is upsetting them
  • They might be constipated
  • They go to the toilet a lot during the day (for example, every hour), they can't hold on for even a few seconds or minutes, peeing is painful, or they're peeing less than 4 times a day
  • They have started wetting the bed again after being dry at night for over 6 months

  • Remember:
    • Bedwetting amongst children until the age of 11 is common
    • Your child does not mean to wet the bed
    • Do not punish your child. It is not their fault and can make bedwetting worse
  • Give your child enough water regularly to drink throughout the day
    • Avoid caffeine based and fizzy drinks
    • Avoid dark berry fruit juice or squash
    • Give your child their last drink of the day 90 minutes before they go to sleep
  • Make sure your child goes to the toilet regularly, around 4 to 7 times a day, including just before they go to bed
  • If possible, use waterproof covers on their mattress and duvet
  • If possible, remove nappy or pull ups
  • Make sure your child has easy access to a toilet or potty at night
  • Lifting or waking your child during the night does not help stop bed wetting. If they do wake themselves at night they should be taken to the toilet
  • Positive reward systems such as sticker charts can help

Ask your health visitor or school nurse for advice if you are worried or the child is beyond the age of 5

For commonly asked questions and excellent practical information about the treatment of bedwetting, use the ERIC website

You can also contact the ERIC helpline on 0808 1699 949 (free to call from mobile and landline), Monday to Thursday 10am to 2pm