Frequently Asked Questions — Bedwetting & Children’s Sleep
Answers to the questions parents most often ask before starting treatment, in plain English. If your question isn’t answered here, please take the free questionnaire or contact the clinic directly.
About bedwetting
At what age is bedwetting still considered normal?
Bedwetting is considered developmentally normal up to age 5. From age 5 onwards, NICE guidelines recommend offering active treatment if the bedwetting bothers the child or the family.
How common is bedwetting in the UK?
Approximately 15% of 5-year-olds, 10% of 7-year-olds, 5% of 10-year-olds, and around 1% of teenagers wet the bed regularly. Boys are affected more than girls.
Will my child grow out of it?
About 15% of children with bedwetting become dry on their own each year. That sounds reassuring, but the implication is that some children remain wet for many years. Active treatment from age 5 dramatically shortens the trajectory — most achieve consolidated dryness within around five months.
What causes bedwetting?
Three biological systems usually contribute: a delayed brain–bladder arousal signal, reduced nighttime antidiuretic hormone (so more urine is made overnight), and sometimes a smaller-than-average functional bladder capacity. Genetics matter — about 75% of children with bedwetting have a first-degree relative who also wet the bed. Read more.
Is bedwetting psychological?
The great majority of primary bedwetting (a child who has never been dry) is biological, not psychological. Secondary bedwetting (a previously dry child starts wetting again) more often has an emotional trigger, but is still rarely “psychological” in the sense parents fear.
Could it be a urinary tract infection or other medical issue?
Pure bedwetting (no daytime symptoms) rarely indicates a UTI or other medical issue. But if there is pain when urinating, blood in urine, fever, daytime wetting, or a sudden return to wetting after a long dry period, see your GP for a urine test before any psychological/behavioural treatment.
About treatment
What is the best treatment for bedwetting?
The bedwetting alarm with proper professional support is the most effective evidence-based treatment for nocturnal enuresis, and the only one that produces lasting cure. NICE recommends it as first-line for children aged 5 and over. Step-by-step guide.
How long does bedwetting treatment take?
On average, around five months from starting the alarm to consolidated dryness. Some children achieve dryness sooner, others need longer. Treatment success requires 21 consecutive dry nights with the alarm in use plus a further dry month without.
What are the success rates?
Families with full clinical support throughout treatment reach 70–80% dryness rates. Families who try the alarm alone, without support, show roughly 30% success with high abandonment.
Does my child need medication?
Most children do not. Desmopressin can help for short-term situations (school trips, sleepovers) but does not cure bedwetting — when it stops, the wetting returns. Read more.
Should I keep using pull-ups during treatment?
No — pull-ups absorb urine before the alarm sensor can detect it, suppressing the very feedback the brain needs to learn. Use a thick waterproof mattress protector and have spare bedding ready. Exceptions for sleepovers and school trips can be planned.
Should we keep “lifting” our child to the toilet at night?
Lifting works as a coping strategy but does not teach the brain anything because the child is asleep when lifted. We typically stop lifting when alarm treatment begins, because lifting actively blocks the learning the alarm is trying to drive.
Will the alarm wake the rest of the family?
Modern body-worn alarms are quieter than older bed-mat models, with small, close-to-body sound. Wireless alarms with a parent receiver let parents hear the alarm without other siblings being woken. See alarm comparison.
What if my child sleeps too deeply to wake to the alarm?
Most children with bedwetting are deep sleepers — that is part of the picture, not a barrier. In the early weeks parents wake the child fully when the alarm fires; over time the child starts waking themselves. Wireless alarms with a parent receiver are essential for very deep sleepers.
What if alarm treatment doesn’t work?
If after 4–6 weeks of correctly used alarm treatment there is no measurable progress, we look at: hidden constipation, incorrect alarm type, child sleeping through (no parent receiver), pull-ups still in use, inconsistent nightly use, or stress/anxiety. Full troubleshooting guide. Almost all “failed” alarm attempts are rescuable.
Do you treat children with daytime wetting?
Pure nocturnal enuresis is our specialism. If there is daytime wetting too, the daytime issue usually needs addressing first via your GP — once that’s sorted we can take on the bedwetting.
About this clinic
Is treatment fully online?
Yes. The clinic operates entirely online via secure video consultations. Most UK families across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are seen this way successfully.
Who runs the clinic?
Dr. Jonathan Kushnir, clinical psychologist (HCPC registered, UK — registration PYL042430), accredited by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies. Two decades of clinical experience and over 25 peer-reviewed publications on paediatric sleep, nocturnal enuresis and anxiety. Full bio and publications.
What does an assessment include?
A 60-minute online consultation covering bedwetting history, sleep, daytime urinary symptoms, bowel function, fluid and toilet habits, psychological factors and previous treatments tried. By the end you have a clinical formulation, an alarm recommendation, and a personalised treatment plan ready to begin.
Do you provide the alarm?
No. We stay neutral on alarm brands so you can choose what fits your child best. Our recommendation in the assessment is based on clinical fit alone, with no commercial bias.
How does ongoing support work?
You have access to our secure online progress chart. Each morning you log a single entry (Dry / Small spot / Large spot) plus any remarks. With one click you send the chart to Dr. Kushnir for review, and he replies with adjustments and instructions ready before the next night. Video sessions at the right cadence for your phase of treatment. More detail here.
How much does it cost?
Pricing is shared during the questionnaire reply or at the assessment, depending on the package that fits your situation. There is no charge for the questionnaire and no obligation if you decide treatment isn’t right for you.
What languages do you offer?
English and Hebrew.
About privacy and data
Is the questionnaire really anonymous?
Yes. No names are required — only an email address or phone number so we can reply. You can use a first name, an initial, or leave the name field blank.
Where is my data stored?
Form responses are stored securely on UK GDPR-compliant infrastructure. The progress chart, used by clients in active treatment, runs on a separate clinical-grade platform with row-level security and full audit logging. Full privacy policy.
Are you GDPR compliant?
Yes. The clinic is operated in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Dr. Kushnir is the data controller and DPO. Privacy policy.
Children’s sleep problems
Do you treat sleep problems other than bedwetting?
Yes — childhood and teen insomnia, bedtime resistance, infant and toddler sleep problems, nighttime fears, nightmares, night terrors, sleep and anxiety, delayed sleep phase in teenagers, and sleep problems in children with ADHD. Full list of children’s sleep services.
What’s the youngest age you treat?
For sleep problems, from around 6 months. For bedwetting, from age 5 (in line with NICE guidance).
Can you treat sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome?
No — these are primarily medical sleep disorders that need investigation by a paediatric sleep physician. We will point you to the right NHS or private service.
Still have questions?
The fastest way to get a personal answer about your child’s situation is the free questionnaire — Dr. Kushnir reads each one personally and replies within 48 hours.