For a lot of families around the world, bedwetting is a taboo. But for your child’s sake, we encourage you to talk openly and freely about the matter. No child wets their bed on purpose. For most children, this phase is a normal part of growing up and something that they simply cannot control. Still, bedwetting is associated with a lot of different myths. Let’s take a closer look and see if we can demystify some of these.
Children wet the bed at night because they are heavy sleepers
False: There is no science indicating that children who wet the bed sleep abnormally heavy. Studies have compared two groups of children. One group that experienced bedwetting and another group without bedwetting problems. The studies showed no differences between the two groups, and none of the children woke up when their bladder filled up during the night.
Bedwetting is hereditary
True: Bedwetting is hereditary, so if you wet the bed during your childhood, your child has 5-7 times greater risk of experiencing it too.
Children who wet the bed must have mental problems
False: Children who wet the bed do not differ from other children psychologically. The causes of bedwetting can be many, but the problem often disappears with age or as soon as the child is successfully treated.
Children who wet the bed seem not to care and do it on purpose
False: Nothing could be further from the truth. No child likes waking up in a bed soaked in urine, and no child wets their bed on purpose. There may be several underlying causes to bedwetting. These should be identified so that the child can enjoy a comfortable and safe night’s sleep.
Almost all children will outgrow bedwetting
True: 90% of all children will outgrow bedwetting by the time they turn seven. And do not panic if it takes longer for your child. Only around 1-2% still wet their bed when they hit puberty.
Children wet the bed due to poor parenting
False: Even though bedwetting can be frustrating, no one is to blame. Neither child nor parents should ever feel guilty about bedwetting.
Children who use a night pants/nappy will take longer to control urination at night
False: There is no evidence of this. If the night pants are dry some nights in a row, try encouraging your child to sleep without the night pants. Night pants are only meant as a protective product until the child can control nighttime urination on their own.
Bedwetting can be linked to my child’s diet?
True: If your child does not get enough to drink during the day and does not eat enough dietary fibers, the child can get constipated, which increases the risk of bedwetting.
Did you know?
- Bedwetting is normal and affects millions of children around the world. It is estimated that about 1-2 children in every first year in primary school wet the bed at night.
- Most children will be able to control their bladder at night when they are between 3-5 years old. Approximately 25% of 4-year-olds frequently wet their bed at night.
- 20% of 5-year-olds wet their bed at night.
- 10% of all 7-year-olds wet the bed more than 3 times a week.
- 70% of all children outgrow bedwetting before they turn 7 years old. 90% of children aged 7 are able to control their bladder both during the day and the night.
- Bedwetting is most common among children between the ages 6-17.
- More boys than girls experience problems with bedwetting.