Bladder and bowel problems are very common in childhood, especially in early years. Parents and children can feel both exhausted and overwhelmed by these difficulties.
- Children vary in the age they become dry in the day and night. Continence problems such as bedwetting, daytime wetting and constipation are common in childhood.
- Figures shows that 28% of children experience continence problems and 10 % of children aged 5-6 wet the bed at night.
- Wetting issues can be helped by the simple remedy of drinking more (about 6 to 8 glasses of water) throughout the day and exercising the bladder (going to the toilet to have a wee 6 to 8 times throughout the day).
- Constipation is a common factor in both day time wetting and night time wetting. To try to avoid constipation by making sure your child has a healthy diet with at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Eating high fibre types of food such as wholemeal bread, pasta and breakfast cereals (e.g, Weetabix, porridge and shreddies) along with 6-8 water based drinks and regular physical activity could help prevent constipation.
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Getting help
You can refer your child directly or via your GP or your child’s School Nurse.