Bedwetting service

Bedwetting (or enuresis) is common in childhood. Most children are dry during the day by the time they are 3 years old, and dry at night by the time they are 5 years of age.

If bedwetting continues past the age of 5, it might be time to get some help.

The Bedwetting Enuresis program is a child-centred program delivered by a team of nurses across the Perth metropolitan area through CAHS Community Health.

Why do children wet the bed?

Bedwetting happens when children don't wake up to go to the toilet when their bladder is full. It is accidental and children have no control over wetting the bed.

It can happen for a number of reasons. Some children:

  • produce more urine (or wee) at night
  • sleep heavily and are harder to wake, meaning they are not able to wake themselves when they have a full bladder and need to go to the toilet
  • have small bladders

Bedwetting can also run in families, so if you or a sibling, aunt or uncle or grandparent wet the bed as a child, your child may be more likely to also wet the bed.

Children who wet the bed are usually healthy and developing as expected, but sometime bedwetting can be due to a medical condition or being unwell, so you may need to see a doctor.

When to get help

As children get older, bedwetting is more likely to upset them and affect their confidence.

If bedwetting is starting to worry you or your child, you can talk to your local school health nurse or see your GP. They will give you advice on management and treatment for bedwetting. If your child meets the eligibility criteria, your GP may refer you to our program or the service offered at Perth Children's Hospital.

Program description 

The program utilises 'mat and alarm' intervention therapy.

  • The goal is for the child to reach 21 consecutive dry nights within the 10 to 12 week program, then to remain dry for the following 6 months. 
  • If the child does not achieve the 21 consecutive dry nights or the child regresses and/or relapses within the 6-month period, and is still eligible, we will offer a repeat program after a further 6 months. 
  • If the child does not respond to the program in the first 2 to 4 weeks or 2 programs are unsuccessful, the child is referred to their GP for referral to paediatric urology. Following review and management, the paediatric urology consultant may support a further alarm therapy attempt

Eligibility criteria

 The program is offered to all children and adolescents who meet the following eligibility criteria: 

  • aged 5½ to 18 years 
  • adequate family/carer support to engage with the program 
  • daytime urine and bowel continence 
  • no ongoing issues relating to constipation or other comorbidities 
  • a nocturnal enuresis bedwetting pattern of more than twice weekly

How to refer

Children can be referred by appropriate medical practitioners, including:

  • general practitioners and paediatricians from private practice
  • Child Development Services
  • Perth Children’s Hospital paediatric urologists – private and health service-based practice

Visit Referrals to our services - Community Health for full details on the referral process.

Last Updated: 09/04/2024