Hi Katie, it is not unusual for children to waiver between periods of being dry then retrurning to wetting again as they move toward achieving permanent nighttime continence. This can occur even when there seems to be no obvious explanation for the change in behaviour – occasionally the return to wetting may be due to overtiredness or as a result of illness. Common physical or medical causes include such things as chronic constipation, urinary tract infections or tapeworms. Worms are very common among young children with bedwetting being a symptom along with poor appetite, grinding of the teeth, stomache aches, difficulty sleeping and irritability. My recommendation would be to make an appointment with your GP to rule out any possible medical cause first. It is not unusual for parents to comment on an increase in bedwetting during the winter months and then find their children stop wetting again when summer returns. Bedwetting may beome more of an issue in winter because children tend to reduce the amount they drink during the day (which can lead to constipation and reduced bladder capacity) and they also tend to sleep more deeply snuggled up under their blankets. You can try and reduce his bedwetting by encouraging him to drink regularly throughout the day and avoid foods and drinks high in sugar or caffeine (like chocolate), as these tend to stimulate the kidneys into producing larger amounts of urine. If his bedwetting is upsetting him you could consider using DryNites just during these colder months to help manage the stress associated with dealing with wet PJs and sheets. Reassure him that you know that this is not his fault and that he will soon be back on track with his nighttime wetting. All the best!

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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