Secondary bedwetting (this is when you start wetting the bed after being dry for months or years) can be the result of a number of different factors so it is very important that you have your daughter checked by your GP. There is a number of underlying medical conditions that may be the cause; these include things such as urinary tract infections or diabetes that do require medical treatment. While physical causes are rare, it is always important to rule these out first. Stress can also lead to nighttime wetting. Children often experience stress when they experience significant changes in their lives. These changes are not necessarily negative but can certainly result in increased anxiety or stress. Common psychological stressors for young children include things like the birth of a sibling, starting preschool, family disharmony or the loss of someone close. It would be worthwhile thinking about whether your daughter has experienced any significant changes and whether this may be a contributing factor. If so, then we typically find children stop wetting at night when whatever is causing the stress has gone away or they learn to cope with the change.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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