Hi Miranda, It is quite common for parents of children who wet the bed to comment on how heavy a sleeper their child is. Researchers have shown that while deep sleeping certainly plays a role in bedwetting it is not the primary cause. Children who are particularly deep sleepers fail to wake in response to the message sent by the bladder to the brain saying it is full and requires emptying. The bladder then attempts to either store the urine or it empties while your child sleeps. The good news is that most children your sons age do outgrow bedwetting on their own as their body matures and becomes better able at storing urine or they learn to wake-up. Reassure him that you know that it is not his fault and that it is something that is happening while he is asleep. Encourage him to drink water regularly throughout the day, as this will help with his bladder capacity. He should avoid food or drinks that have diuretic effects such as soft-drinks and chocolate. If his bedwetting becomes an issue for either you or your son then it is certainly time to speak with a doctor.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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