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Bedwetting is much more common then most parents think, with one in six children aged five wetting the bed two or more times a week. When a child wets the bed, often many parents think they’re on their own, but that's just one of the myths that surrounds the subject.

The myths

Here we take a look at a few to separate fact from fiction:

Bedwetting is a behavioural problem

Bedwetting is not a learning problem or a behavioural problem. Children who wet the bed do not do it on purpose; it's just simply something that happens.

Someone's to blame

Bedwetting is no-one's fault. There are many causes and reasons but very few can be influenced by either parent or child.

It's a serious condition

There are loads of children out there who wet the bed. And lots of reasons why it happens. Most of them are nothing to worry about at all.

You shouldn’t give your child drinks after 4pm

This could make the situation worse as limiting drinks may cause dehydration and concentrated urine, which could cause bladder irritability. Make sure your child has plenty to drink throughout the day to develop good bladder habits. Limiting drinks a couple of hours before bed may help but never deny a thirsty child a drink.

Carry your child to the toilet in the night

Most parents try this method at some point, as taking them to the toilet seems like a natural thing to do to stop, or at least control, the bedwetting. What it does do is reinforce to the child that they can urinate when they are asleep. This can make the wetting worse because the child isn't responding to their brain waking them to a full bladder.

There is a cure for bedwetting

There is no magical cure for bedwetting; it's something that will go with time. But there are things that you can do to help you and your child cope.

Children should be dry by the time they start primary school

Yes, during the day, but not necessarily at night.

If your child sleeps deeply, they’re bound to wet the bed

There are a number of reasons as to why children wet the bed.

Children need a drink before they go to bed

Drinking during the day is essential, to keep your child healthy. A drink just before bed might mean a full bladder just as they’re going to sleep.

For more bedwetting information and advice head to:

www.eric.org.uk
www.netdoctor.co.uk