You son is in very good company, many children who wet at night do so without being aware. Amongst other factors, a deep sleeping pattern has been identified as a potential cause of bedwetting. Children who wet the bed often sleep so deeply that they are not aware of the message that the bladder sends to the brain saying it is full and needs to be emptied. Many of these children sleep so soundly that the first time they are aware that they have wet is when they wake in the morning. Nor is it unusual for children to remain dry while attending sleepovers or when away on holidays – while there are no simple explanations for this some experts have suggested that children may sleep less soundly when away from home and therefore wake more easily in response to a full bladder. While stress can play a part in secondary nocturnal enuresis (this describes the condition where children experience a return to or the sudden onset of bedwetting), it is rarely the cause of primary bedwetting. Given your son’s age I would certainly recommend that you arrange an appointment with his GP.

Regards, Dr Cathrine

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