Constipation is a major factor that can cause bedwetting. Constipation is so common. In fact, 25% of children with bedwetting are caused by constipation. You’re probably thinking, ‘but bedwetting is to do with weeing’, right? What’s poo got to do with it? . 

I’ll just quickly explain what constipation is.

When bowel motions, or poo, are held in the rectum for too long, the rectum reabsorbs the water from them, making them harder and more difficult to pass. The hard poo builds up causing the rectum to stretch, along with a loss of sensation. So the child finds it harder to know when they need to do poo. And what’s deceiving is sometimes a child can pass regular poop but hard faeces are still in the rectum and the rectum is still stretched.

When a child is constipated with a stretched rectum, it can press on the bladder and get in the way of the amount of urine the bladder can hold. It can also irritate the bladder, causing it to spasm or empty when it shouldn’t. 

Addressing the constipation first is sometimes enough to resolve the bedwetting without any further treatment.

So if you suspect your child may be constipated, keeping a poo diary for a week or two is your first step. And take a note of what each poo looks like. To make it easy for you I’ve included a link at the bottom of this article so you can download a copy of the Bristol Stool Chart.

If your child is constipated or they are suffering from other symptoms, then I’d suggest book an appointment with your GP. The GP will more and likely prescribe some laxatives for your child, which soften the poo and encourages the body to push it out.