HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Bedwetting & daytime wetting in children
Wetting accidents are common in young children. Most wetting problems will go away by themselves in time. Other terms used to describe wetting accidents are enuresis (en-yur-e-sis) and incontinence.
Bedwetting is very common in younger children. Around 15% of 5-year-olds and 5% of 10-year-olds will wet the bed at least once a week.
Daytime wetting is considered to be a problem after the age of 5. Most children will be dry by the time they start school. Around 3 to 4% of children between 4 and 12 will have daytime wetting. Two-thirds of these will have bedwetting as well.
Who can help?
If your child is having difficulty with bladder control, talk to your GP. There are several support services available that can help.
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses can provide support for school-age children with some continence problems. Talk to your GP about this service.
University of Canterbury Bedwetting Programme
The University of Canterbury's free bedwetting programme runs twice a year. It is for children 8 years and over who are wetting at least once a week.
For information on the current programme, phone (03) 366‑7001 ext 8691, or email hscclinic@canterbury.ac.nz (the phone number has changed and is wrong in the leaflet).
Continence New Zealand
Continence New Zealand provides information and support to people coping with all forms of continence issues. Continence New Zealand also provides a freephone helpline for people with continence problems. Call 0800‑650‑659.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Kidshealth – Daytime wetting and Bedwetting
Information about daytime wetting and bedwetting, including information about what you can do to help and when you should seek further help.
- Continence New Zealand – Continence information for children
Information about incontinence in children as well as useful techniques for toilet training.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Adapted by the West Coast DHB. Last reviewed May 2016.
SourcesReview key: HIUTC-12626
