It is easy to feel alone when you are dealing with regular overnight disturbances, damp sheets, and the quiet distress of a child who feels embarrassed or upset.
But here is a reassuring fact: bedwetting is more common than you might think and support is available.
Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE) is the medical term for nighttime bedwetting, and is a common childhood issue. In fact, approximately 15% of 5-year-olds wet the bed,1 with PNE continuing into teens and even adulthood in some cases. While some children naturally outgrow it as they get older, for many others, it is a persistent condition that requires a deeper understanding and support.
Moments like these are challenging for children and families alike, causing ongoing distress and extra work. By understanding how common PNE is, you can tackle it with empathy, reassurance, and confidence.
What is Primary Nocturnal Enuresis?
In simple terms, Primary Nocturnal Enuresis is involuntary urination while sleeping.2 It is defined as a problem when a child is wetting the bed more than 4-6 times per month. PNE is a clinical diagnosis and not to be confused with occasional bedwetting, or bedwetting during general toilet training.
What causes PNE?
It is also important to remember that bedwetting is not about laziness or a child being naughty. PNE can be hereditary and is often linked to one or more factors:
- Deep sleep patterns that make it difficult for the child to wake when their bladder is full.
- Bladder capacity that has not matured enough to hold all the urine produced overnight.
- A deficiency in the production of the hormone that slows urine production during sleep.
- ADHD, which has been linked to bedwetting and could be a consideration.
For more detailed information on the causes of PNE, watch the video titled ‘What Causes Bedwetting’ by Professor Christian Radmayr, a urologist from FEAPU University – https://treatbedwetting.com.au/resources/
The Emotional Impact on Families
Aside from the direct impact PNE can have on children, there is a hidden cost of bedwetting with the emotional toll it can take on the whole family.
Children who wet the bed often feel ashamed and isolated, which commonly impacts their confidence and self-esteem. Parents, in turn, feel the exhaustion and stress of supporting their child, plus the continuous sleep disruption and the endless cycle of washing sheets and changing bedding.
When to Seek Guidance
There is no set time to seek guidance for bedwetting and each situation is unique to the child and their family however, it is worth considering speaking to your GP if:
- Your child is aged 6 or older and still wets the bed regularly.
- Bedwetting is affecting your child’s sleep, confidence or participation in activities like school camps or sleepovers with friends.
- You are feeling increasingly worn down and exhausted by your child’s bedwetting. Everyone needs sleep, including parents!
Your doctor can provide advice and support tailored to your child’s needs and discuss evidence-based treatment options.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (US), National Library of Medicine (US). StatPearls [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): NCBI; 2025. Chapter title. In: Bookshelf. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545181/
- Arda E, Cakiroglu B, Thomas DT. Primary nocturnal enuresis: a review. Nephrourol Mon. 2016 Jul;8(4):e35809. doi:10.5812/numonthly.35809.
