One in 4 Brit kids wake up once a night until the age of 12 – with half of parents stumped on how to help them manage it
ONE in four British children wake up once a night until the age of 12 due to bed wetting, night terrors and thirst.
Research of 1,000 parents of four to 12-year-olds found another 28 per cent will get up twice or more each night.
Needing the toilet is the top reason for waking overall, while 44 per cent of four- to seven-year-olds doing so due to bad dreams and 31 per cent of eight to 12-year-olds need a drink.
As a result, 29 per cent of parents can’t remember the last time they had a full night’s sleep, but there is hope, as 65 per cent believe their youngster has woken less as they’ve got older.
The research, commissioned by Pampers Ninjamas, also found that despite bedwetting being one of the top causes of waking, 45 per cent of parents have been left stumped on how to help their child manage it.
More than three in 10 (31 per cent) children who experience bedwetting do so once a week or more, with one in 20 doing so on a nightly basis.
On average, it typically started at the age of three, but 32 per cent of mums and dads claim it has impacted their child’s self-esteem.
And 36 per cent worry they’re not parenting as well as they could be because their child wets the bed.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, found four in 10 children who have bed wet have done so while staying at their grandparents.
This left a quarter no longer attending sleepovers, with 19 per cent feeling embarrassed.
But 11 per cent of those polled felt their hosts weren’t equipped to manage bedwetting.
Pampers Ninjamas is working with paediatrician and TV presenter Dr Ranj to raise awareness of its educational content series, which aims to inform parents, carers and children about why bedwetting can happen and how to manage it.
Dr Ranj said: “We know the Easter holidays are an exciting time where families tend to get together, and sleepovers are more likely.
“This change in routine can be exciting but also challenging for children, as fears of the unknown or unfamiliar surroundings can increase the likelihood of bedwetting.
“Furthermore, we need to help children to feel comfortable no matter where they stay and help to breakdown bedwetting taboos across the entire family unit.”