This must be incredibly distressing for you all. Certainly when it comes to the more traditional measures, conditioning alarms continue to experience the best outcomes. It is worth keeping in mind that treatment can take between 3 and 6 months and it is not uncommon for children to experience one or two relapses before achieving permanent continence. There are certainly some more alternative methods that have met with different degrees of success. Please keep in mind however that these have not received the same level of research support as conditioning alarms or medications. Hypnotherapy has been successfully used to help children either hold their urine overnight or wake up and go to the toilet. This can be used on its own or in combination with the conditioning alarm. Your best point of contact for hypnotherapy is the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association http://www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/, which has branches in each state. Sometimes dietary control can help reduce the amount children wet – if this is something you would like to explore further your best contact is the Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (1800 422 885) who will be able to recommend someone in your area. In the meantime, continue to reassure your son that this is in no way his fault and though it may not feel like it at the moment, his bedwetting will come to an end.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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