"Is it my fault that my child is wetting the bed?" and other bedwetting myths

"My child is choosing to wet the bed"

• Bedwetting is not a behavioural problem.
• A child will not choose to wet the bed.
• Some children grow out of bedwetting naturally.
• If bedwetting persists, medical support is available.

"I’m to blame for my child’s bedwetting"

• Parenting choices are rarely to blame for bedwetting
• Bedwetting has many causes, most of them medical.
• Around a million children in the UK experience bedwetting.
• Bedwetting can sometimes be triggered by emotional stress (often when a child has been dry for months).
• Emotional factors can also cause teenage bedwetting.

"Bedwetting is a serious condition"

• Bedwetting is common.
• Bedwetting affects almost 10% of children aged 8-10.
• Most of these children will grow out of bedwetting naturally

"I should stop my child drinking liquids after 4pm"

• Limiting fluid intake can cause dehydration.
• Dehydration reduces bladder capacity.
• Reduced bladder capacity makes bedwetting worse.
• Regular rehydration helps children understand the sensation of needing the loo.

"There is an instant cure for bedwetting"

• This is untrue. Most children will grow out of bedwetting in their own time.
• Your support and understanding is a vital part of this process.
• DryNites® Pyjama Pants can help you and your child manage this phase effectively.

"I should wake my child up to use the toilet"

• Waking your child for a night-time toilet trip can be counterproductive.
• Children need to understand and respond to the signals from their bladder.
• Responding to natural signals helps children develop good toilet habits.

"Wearing DryNites® will prolong bedwetting"

• Wearing protective sleepwear will not encourage bedwetting.
• To manage bedwetting and come through the bedwetting phase, children need confidence.
• Allowing your child a dry night’s sleep will build your child’s confidence.
• DryNites® Pyjama Pants and Bed Mats offer unbeatable night-time protection.

Experts from the National Kidney Foundation agree. "Using absorbent products at night to protect the bed will often reduce the frustration level of a parent and/or child waking to wet sheets," they say. And although many parents believe using these products may prolong nighttime wetting, Dr. Docimo reassures that "there is no evidence that it takes longer to grow out of bedwetting if a child wears absorbent pants."

Nighttime wetting is a common problem that takes time to be resolved. But the good news is that 15% of nighttime wetting children outgrow the condition every year. Using absorbent products such as Goodnites® NightTime Underwear and Goodnites Bed Mats can help ease your child's discomfort so they can wake up each day dry and worry-free.