The following report was provided by DryNites and is based on research which they commissioned.Half of parents have never talked to other mums and dads about their child wetting the bed, with that figure hitting more than 70 per cent in some cities. Two-fifths also admitted taking the precautionary measure of reducing their child’s drinks before bed time, ahead of talking it over with them.
Despite more than half a million children suffering from the common condition in the UK, the study, conducted by bedwetting experts DryNites, shows parents continue to keep their child’s bedwetting quiet.
Parents admitted feeling upset and stressed about how bedwetting is affecting their child, with many worried their infant is unhappy, embarrassed and put off having sleep-overs with friends.
DryNites, who spoke to more than 1,000 parents across the UK, are aiming to break down the barriers surrounding bedwetting by getting mums and dads talking about the issue with their children and other parents.
Child Psychologist Emma Kenny, who is supporting the campaign, said, “While your child wetting the bed can be quite distressing, parents need to reassure their children that this is a very normal, natural part of growing up, and they are in no way at fault.
“Children who are experiencing bedwetting need support and encouragement, and this is more likely to happen if their parents feel able to discuss the subject. Bedwetting regularly affects a fifth of five-year-olds, so it’s a lot more common than many parents might think. By talking about it to their children, other parents and professionals, worries ease and parents get the support they need to reassure their child.”
The report has also revealed that 63 per cent of children aged between 13 and 16, who still wet the bed, feel embarrassed. Furthermore, a quarter of children who wet the bed feel unhappy, while a fifth feel anxious and confused.
With 23 per cent of parents who have a child aged between six and eight-years-old blaming themselves for their child’s bedwetting, as well as some admitting the issue makes them tired and frustrated, this is all the more reason to take the taboo out of the issue.
Stephanie Madrell, DryNites brand manager, said, “Bedwetting is just as common as asthma or eczema in children, but parents are afraid to talk to each other openly about it. By getting it out in the open and discussing it, parents will find there is a lot of advice and support out there that will help them get their child through this phase of development.”
The most common affects in which bedwetting affects children aged between three and 16-years-old, according to their parents, are: embarrassment (47%), unhappiness (25%), frustration (22%), anxiety (20%) and confusion (20%).
Parents’ biggest concern about their child’s bedwetting is that it could affect their child’s self-esteem (28%), followed by concerns that they may not want to stay over at friends’ houses (25%).
Across the regions, parents in Manchester and Leeds are most likely to feel worried after their child experienced bedwetting, while 73 per cent of parents from Liverpool are unwilling to discuss their child’s bedwetting experiences with other parents.