Frequently Asked Questions

Most children, like adults, empty their bladders between four and eight times daily. As children tend to be more involved in active, often sweaty games (and don’t always drink enough liquids), it could be less. However, if your child goes to the bathroom frequently, it may be a good idea to check with your local doctor that everything is as it should be.

Whenever a child eats or drinks, the body absorbs liquids. The kidneys then filter waste products from the body fluids and make urine. A continuous trickle passes from the kidneys to the bladder, which slowly expands. Once the bladder is full, a signal goes to the brain indicating the need to go to the bathroom. Once the toilet is reached, the brain tells the large bladder muscle to squeeze and contract. At the same time it tells the support muscles (or pelvic floor muscles) that surround the urethra (the outlet from the bladder) to relax and let the urine pass.

Be patient. He will most likely grow out of it. Until then, try using a protection product to keep him dry and comfortable at night. However, if you think your child may have an infection, get your local doctor to examine him.

Some people believe this, but there is little scientific evidence to support it. In fact, it’s more likely that bedwetting causes anxiety than the other way around. The best thing to do is identify the root cause of that anxiety so it can be dealt with. You can find out tips on how to reduce any anxiety around incontinence in What you can do.

No. Drinking less will only make the urine more concentrated, which will in turn irritate the bladder, causing more frequent urination. It’s best to let your child drink when they need to so they learn to naturally regulate their fluid intake. However, it may be worthwhile to discourage drinking near bedtime.

This site deals with the most prevalent forms of bladder weakness, and due to limited space, greater detail isn’t possible. We would recommend talking to your doctor.

This is a relatively common occurrence among teenage girls and will most often disappear of its own accord. You should ensure that she is not suffering from a urinary tract infection, as this could be a cause and should be treated. It would also be a good idea to supply her with discreet urine protection, such as TENA Lady Mini Magic.> This will keep any urine leakage away from the skin for better comfort (reducing the risk of irritation), and it has Odor Control for freshness and confidence.

TENA is on sale at most supermarkets and pharmacies. Supermarkets usually sell the lighter TENA products, whereas pharmacies can offer a wider range. If they don’t stock a particular TENA product, your pharmacist could place an order with the wholesaler. For a list of outlets near you, please see Where to buy.

If you want further advice, please call The Continence Foundation help line, 020 7831 9831 (Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).