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Just one in ten parents seek GP help about child's bedwetting

New research has also shown that children are missing out on summer activities because they wet the bed.

NEW RESEARCH HAS shown parents of children who wet the bed rarely seek advice from their GP and many keep the problem a secret from others.

The results of a survey were published today by the Search for a Dry Bed campaign, with the research focusing on the pattern of bedwetting during the summer months.

It showed that almost a third of parents say their child misses out on summer activities such as sleepovers with friends and family and camping trips due to wetting the bed with 62 per cent of children continuing to wet the bed regularly while away from home.

Over a third of parents also said that their own summer holiday is affected by their child wearing pull-ups, having to remember to pack disposable bed mats and extra supplies. Data shows 14 per cent of parents said they become more anxious that their child will wet the bed during the summer holidays, and they will have to inform others that their child may have an accident.

25 per cent of parents said they do not tell others about their child’s bedwetting and just one in ten go to their GP to seek help, despite reporting that their child suffers self-confidence issues and low moods as a result.

The most common methods used to prevent bed wetting during the summer months were restricting late-night drinks, mot making an issue of it and praising them when they are not wet.

Speaking today, consultant pediatrician at Cavan General Hospital, Dr Nick Van Der Spek, said he would encourage any parent coping with a child that wets the bed to visit their GP, their local public health nurse or the campaign’s website to seek “immediate advice”.

Van Der Spek will host a live Q&A on the topic on the Mummypages.ie Facebook page at 7pm on 23 May to provide parents with the opportunity to ask any questions about the condition, how to cope, and how to properly treat the condition. In addition, the campaign will host a children’s creative writing workshop in early June for some parents and their children who may have participated in the live interactive session on Mummypages.ie.

Read: The impact of bed-wetting on Irish mothers>
Read: Survey shows 47 per cent of GPs think bedwetting is hereditary>

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    Mute David Malone
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    Jun 5th 2019, 1:53 PM

    Or maybe, like all the evidence suggests it’s the result of climate change

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 5th 2019, 1:55 PM

    Wet and windy .. like a night in bed with me ..

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    Mute Dave Ryan
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    Jun 5th 2019, 2:06 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: who knew that! Talking dogs

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 5th 2019, 2:19 PM

    @Dave Ryan: He’s as bad ..

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    Mute Dave Ryan
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    Jun 5th 2019, 3:21 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: had 2 growing up. Amazing animals

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 5th 2019, 3:32 PM

    @Dave Ryan: The best ..

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Jun 5th 2019, 5:05 PM

    Perfect exam weather..

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    Mute Liam Ward
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    Jun 5th 2019, 2:26 PM

    Not 4 me I’m afraid my exams which were back in the 70s were known as the group and inter certs

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    Mute missroisin
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    Jun 5th 2019, 2:52 PM

    Last year it was so sunny for first 2weeks in June , 2nd two weeks was miserable. Hopefully next couple weeks will improve as I’ve a boat to paint.

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    Mute Aidan Dorney
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    Jun 5th 2019, 2:27 PM

    Story of the day.

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