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Night-time wetting and Continence
The School Nursing team can offer initial support and advice for a range of continence issues such as night-time wetting and constipation.
How can we help?
If your child is school-aged and you have concerns about toileting or night-time wetting, contact the school nursing team. They will be able to provide advice and information on the assessment process.
Support will be given by telephone contact with a school nurse.
What do we support with?
Night-time wetting
‘Night-time wetting is a medical condition and primary night-time wetting does not have a psychological cause. It can have a big impact on a child’s self-esteem and emotional health as well as taking its toll on parents’.
Night-time wetting in young children is normal and it can take some time before a child is dry through the night. Around 15% of all 7 year olds regularly wet the bed and should be treated from age 5.
Bedwetting is not anybody’s fault. The child is not being lazy and should not be punished.
Under 5's night-time wetting
Most children stop wetting the bed as they get older. Many children under 5 wet the bed – for example, approximately one in five children aged 4½ years wet the bed at least once a week. Reassure your child that it is not their fault.
There isn’t a fixed rule about when to stop using nappies at night as every child is different.
Daytime wetting
Wee accidents are very common in the toilet training stage, however if accidents or leaks continue after the age of 5 you should see your GP so that it can be looked into.
Children’s bladder health: bladder problems and incontinence – ERIC
Constipation/soiling
Constipation is a problem for 1 in 3 children. It is a medical problem that needs treating properly to stop it getting worse and you should make an appointment to see your GP.
There are lots of myths about bowel incontinence in children. Soiling is not caused by laziness or naughtiness.
