BEDWETTING (NOCTURNAL ENURESIS)

Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) can be worrying and frustrating, but it’s common for children to accidentally wet the bed during the night. The problem usually resolves in time.

Bedwetting is common in young children but it gets less common as a child gets older.

 

In the UK, it’s estimated that about:

• One in 12 children wet the bed regularly at four and a half years old (regularly is defined as at least twice a week)
• One in 40 children wet the bed regularly at seven and a half years old
• One in 65 children wet the bed regularly at nine and a half years old

 

About one in 100 people continue to wet the bed into adulthood.

Bedwetting is slightly more common in boys than girls.

Bedwetting is not a problem unless it is distressing your child or impacting on their social activities – reluctance to take part in sleepovers, school trips for longer than a day, scouting or guiding camps. Should your child find bedwetting a problem please make contact with your school nurse who will assess your child’s needs and offer appropriate support.