Bed Wetting

Bed wetting can become a constant battle. When your bladder is full there is a mechanism in the brain that tells your body to stop creating urine until it has been emptied. Most people's bodies tell their bladder to stay closed until they are awake, but some people's bladders just forget.

Most children stop wetting the bed by the age of six. However, some may continue well into their teenage years.

The best way to deal with a wet bed is in a calm and reassuring way. Quickly wash and change the child and remake bed. Get child to sit on the toilet before re-entering the bed.

Place the wet items in the washing machine and set to wash ready to hang out in the morning.

Once morning has arrived, if the child is dry praise him/her.

If bed wetting persists and you feel the need to intervene a bell pad may be a useful training tool.

The bell pad has a sensor in the pad which is activated by even a slight trickle. Once any dampness is detected, an alarm bell rings and wakes the child. This can train the child to wake on its own when it feels the need to urinate.

The Bell Pad can be hired at a very reasonable rate.

I don't recommend these for children with intellectual disabilities as the alarm may be distressing to them.

If the bedwetting persists and you are concerned about your child's health, please contact your local GP for a consultation.