Why Is My Child Still Wetting the Bed? A Gentle, Natural Approach to Bedwetting
The quiet worry no one talks about
If you’re quietly lifting damp pyjamas before the day begins, trying to stay calm while stripping the bed again, you’re not alone.
Bedwetting can be one of those hush-hush parenting challenges. It’s rarely mentioned at the school gate, but in my clinic, I hear the same concerns time and time again:
“We’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked.”
“They were dry for years and now the accidents are back.”
“It’s affecting their confidence. They won’t go to sleepovers.”
And maybe underneath it all, a quiet question: Is something deeper going on?
The truth is, bedwetting isn’t laziness. It isn’t a behaviour problem. It’s your child’s body trying to communicate. And there are gentle, natural ways to support that process.
What is bedwetting, and why does it happen?
Bedwetting (also called nocturnal enuresis) is the involuntary release of urine during sleep. While it’s common up to age five or six, it can continue well beyond that for some children. And the reasons are often more layered than they appear on the surface.
Common contributing factors include:
Bladder–brain signalling that’s still developing
Very deep sleep, where the child doesn’t register bladder cues
Family history of bedwetting
Constipation or gut imbalance
Food sensitivities
Emotional stress, transitions, or anxiety
Low levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at night
Post-viral nervous system shifts
Environmental exposures like mould
Every child is different, which is why I take a whole-child, root-cause approach. Together, we look at sleep, digestion, toileting patterns, food reactions, nervous system health, and more.
What if your child was dry, and then started wetting the bed again?
This is something I see more and more. A child who was dry at night for months or even years, and then suddenly starts having accidents again.
In some cases, this is linked to PANS (Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). PANS can occur after common infections and may lead to immune-driven inflammation in the brain. One of the signs? A regression in toileting.
Parents often notice other changes too, such as:
Sudden anxiety or separation struggles
Mood swings or emotional reactivity
Disturbed sleep or night terrors
New behaviours, tics, or sensory issues
Gut symptoms, food refusal, or toileting setbacks
These changes can feel confusing and distressing, but they are not permanent. With the right support, children can absolutely recover their rhythm and resilience.
Could mould be playing a role?
Sometimes bedwetting begins (or returns) after moving house, discovering water damage, or simply living through a damp winter. In some children, mould exposure can quietly affect the nervous system, sleep quality, and bladder control.
Even without coughs or rashes, children may experience:
New or worsening bedwetting
Vivid dreams or disturbed sleep
Increased anxiety or sensitivity
Gut changes or food sensitivities
If this sounds familiar, it may be worth gently exploring environmental factors. We don’t need to rush into testing or overwhelm, but instead stay open and curious about the possible pieces of the puzzle.
Naturopathic support for bedwetting
In clinic, we work gently to understand your child’s whole story and support their body’s natural rhythm. Every child’s care plan is unique and layered, but always guided by the same principles — nourishment, connection, and calm.
How we might support your child:
Herbal medicine to calm the nervous system and support sleep
Homeopathic remedies chosen to suit your child’s individual needs
Nutritional and gut support for underlying issues like constipation, food sensitivities, or mineral imbalance
Emotional support strategies using flower remedies, routine-building, and parent-guided nervous system tools
This is never a one-size-fits-all approach. I offer guidance that’s realistic, nurturing, and focused on long-term wellbeing — not just managing symptoms.
A story from clinic
A mum brought her 7-year-old son in, worried and overwhelmed. He’d been dry since age four, but after a virus and a stressful few months, the bedwetting returned. He also seemed more anxious, withdrawn, and tired.
We supported his digestion, gently calmed his nervous system, and tailored a remedy that matched his emotional state. We made small tweaks to his food and fluid rhythm, and explored the possibility of mould exposure in his room.
Within a few weeks, the frequency of bedwetting reduced. By three months, he was waking dry most nights — and more importantly, his spark had returned. His mum said, “He just seems more like himself again.”
Rhythms that restore: gentle things you can try at home
Create a calming bedtime ritual e.g. bath, book, snuggles, quiet
Balance fluids during the day, with less after dinner
Encourage regular toileting after meals and before bed
Offer gentle bladder teas like chamomile or cornsilk
Support healthy poos (a calm gut helps a calm bladder)
Use a soft night light so they feel safe getting up if they wake
Reassure, don’t pressure. Their body is still learning, and that’s okay
A gentle word for you
If you’re feeling alone, frustrated, or unsure where to turn — I see you.
Your child is not broken. Their body is simply asking for a little more time, care, or support. And with the right guidance, things can shift.
You don’t have to wait and hope they’ll grow out of it. There is a softer, wiser way forward.
If you’ve tried everything and your child is still wetting the bed, that’s where I come in.
We’ll look beyond the surface to gently uncover what’s really going on. This may include nervous system overwhelm, gut imbalances, post-viral changes, or something else your child’s body is trying to express.
Root-cause naturopathic care for bedwetting, regressions, PANS, and more
Consultations available Australia-wide via Zoom
Book a consultation today
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There’s a calm, supportive path forward for both you and your child.
With warmth and care,
Ayelet x
