Bed wetting, or nocturnal enuresis as it is known medically, is something many families experience during childhood. It can be frustrating for parents and as children get older, it can become embarrassing and upsetting for the child.

For some children, the thought of a school camp, sleepover, holiday or staying with friends can bring an added worry: “What if I wet the bed?”

It is important to remember that bed wetting is very common and for most children, is simply part of their development. Children generally become dry at night as their bladder, brain and nervous system mature. Bed wetting is not something a child does deliberately and it is not a sign of laziness, poor toilet training or bad behaviour.

Why Does Bed Wetting Happen?

There isn’t always one simple reason.

Some children sleep very deeply and don’t wake when their bladder is full. Others may produce more urine during the night than their bladder can comfortably hold. The development of bladder control, family history and constipation can also play a role.

Bed wetting can sometimes be associated with other health issues, including urinary tract infections or sleep problems such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Stress and significant changes in a child’s life can also sometimes be associated with bed wetting. This may include starting school, moving house, changes within the family or other experiences that may be unsettling for a child.

Every child is different and what may be an important factor for one child may not be relevant to another.

Bed Wetting and Emotions

One of the things I have noticed in my work with children is how much embarrassment can become part of the problem.

A child who wets the bed may worry about being found out. They may avoid sleepovers or overnight school activities because they are afraid someone will discover what is happening. They may feel different from their friends or worry that something is wrong with them.

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply listen.

Children don’t always have the words to explain what is worrying them, particularly when something has happened some time ago. Giving them a safe opportunity to talk about an experience, a change or something that may have frightened or unsettled them can sometimes be valuable.

This doesn’t mean that bed wetting is “all in their head”. The physical processes involved are very real. Rather, I believe it is useful to consider the child as a whole person, where physical development, sleep, emotions and their experiences can all be part of the picture.

Bowen Therapy and Bed Wetting

There are no substantial clinical studies that I have found demonstrating that Bowen Therapy treats or cures childhood bed wetting. I think it is important to be clear about this.

However, through my own work as a Bowen practitioner, and from the experiences shared by other Bowen practitioners, I have seen some promising outcomes in children who have struggled with bed wetting.

Bowen Therapy is a gentle, hands-on technique that uses light rolling movements over muscles and connective tissue, followed by short pauses. These pauses allow the body time to respond rather than forcing change.

When working with a child who wets the bed, I don’t look at the bed wetting in isolation. I am interested in the child and what has been happening in their world.

Sometimes the session may involve very little discussion. Sometimes a child will talk about something that has been bothering them. Simply having an adult listen without judgement can be important.

From my perspective, the nervous system is also worth considering. Children can respond to uncertainty, change and fear in ways that aren’t always obvious to adults. I don’t suggest this is the explanation for every case of bed wetting, but it is something I have found worth considering when working with individual children.

How Bowen Therapy May Support Children

Bowen Therapy takes a gentle approach and works with the body’s natural ability to respond and adjust. With children, I believe this is particularly important. There is no need to force change or make a child feel that something is wrong with them.

Sessions are adapted to the individual child and their comfort. Sometimes the most noticeable change is simply that a child becomes more relaxed. For others, parents may notice changes in sleep, mood or general wellbeing.

When bed wetting is part of the reason for seeking Bowen Therapy, I see the treatment as complementary support rather than a replacement for appropriate medical care.

Supporting a Child Who Wets the Bed

Perhaps the most important thing parents can do is remove shame from the situation.

Children need reassurance that they are not doing anything wrong. Punishment, criticism or making a child feel embarrassed about wetting the bed can add to their distress.

Practical measures can help too. Protecting the mattress, having spare bedding readily available and keeping the process of changing the bed calm and matter-of-fact can reduce stress for everyone.

There are also established approaches for persistent bed wetting. Bedwetting alarms can be effective for some children and medication may sometimes be recommended by a doctor. Constipation and other underlying issues should also be considered.

If your child is regularly wetting the bed beyond around six or seven years of age, it is worth discussing the situation with your GP or another appropriate health professional. Medical advice is particularly important if a child starts wetting again after having been dry for several months, has daytime accidents, pain when urinating, excessive thirst, constipation or other symptoms.

Looking at the Whole Child

For me, Bowen Therapy is not about promising a quick fix for bed wetting.

It is about looking at the child as a whole, providing a calm and supportive environment, listening to their experiences and gently supporting them alongside appropriate medical care when that is needed.

Most importantly, children need to know that bed wetting does not define them. With patience, understanding and the right support, most children eventually become dry at night.

BowenWorks sessions with children are always undertaken with a parent, grandparent or other adult staying with the child at all times. If you’d like to learn more about Bowen Therapy or discuss whether it may be suitable for your situation, contact me to book an appointment.

Further Reading

• Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Bedwetting
• Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network – Bedwetting
• Sleep Health Foundation – Bedwetting in Children
• Mayo Clinic – Bed-wetting: Symptoms and Causes

This article is intended for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s bed wetting, please speak with your GP or another appropriately qualified health professional.