Manchester charity talks about children wetting the bed in the run-up to returning to school

A very famous face from the world of pop music has also added his voice to the awareness drive over the sensitive issue.
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According to new research, 21% of parents of children under the age of 18 say their child wet the bed in the run-up to schools reopening.

Bladder and Bowel UK said there are many things that could increase the likelihood of a child wetting the bed.

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The Manchester-based charity undertook a survey to understand how many children have a problem with bed wetting and in particular how many were impacted in the run up to school.

Returning to school can be a trigger for bedwetting in childrenReturning to school can be a trigger for bedwetting in children
Returning to school can be a trigger for bedwetting in children

From those surveyed, they found that almost a quarter (24%) whose child has wet the bed at least once since their 5th birthday believe returning to school could be a trigger and 41% agree their child seemed anxious to return to school because of their bedwetting.

One in five parents are uncomfortable talking to their child about bedwetting, even though 12% of mums and dads whose child has wet the bed say the effects on their child include anxiety (26%), low self-esteem (22%), not wanting to go to school because of their experiences (12%), struggling to concentrate on schoolwork and other activities (14%), and being bullied (11%).

However, bedwetting is a treatable medical condition – healthcare professionals can provide assessments, and advice on how to make sure children have one less stress in their lives.

For some children, returning to school can be a trigger for wetting the bedFor some children, returning to school can be a trigger for wetting the bed
For some children, returning to school can be a trigger for wetting the bed
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Without treatment, children may continue to wet the bed into late childhood, their teens, or even adulthood.

Boyzone’s Keith Duffy wet the bed until he was nine years old. Now a dad of two, Keith thinks it is important to have these conversations and encourage other parents to do the same.

Davina Richardson, children’s specialist nurse for Bladder & Bowel UK, also discusses the ways it can be treated to improve the quality of life for families and for children in their important formative years.

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