How the bladder works

• The kidneys make wee which is collected in the bladder
• The bladder is like a balloon and stretches to hold the urine.
• As it stretches a message is sent to our brain to say that the bladder is full
• The brain then tells us we need to go to the toilet
• Some children sleep through this message so when the bladder is too full, it empties causing bedwetting accidents

How the bladder works at night

• At night, the brain produces a chemical called vasopressin.
• This is a special hormone that tells the kidneys to make smaller, more concentrated amounts of urine so we can sleep longer without having to wake for a wee.
• Some children do not produce enough vasopressin so the kidneys keep producing large amounts of urine which can lead to bedwetting.

Bowels and Bladder

How often your child has a poo can have an effect on the bladder. A full bowel can press against your child’s bladder making them feel like they need a wee or stopping them from holding as much wee as usual.
You should suspect constipation if your child is;

• passing a large and/or hard poo
• having dark watery poos
• going for a poo less than 4 times a week
• finding it difficult to poo
• having poo leaking in their pants