Hunter Jeakings

For mum of two, Emma, toilet training wasn’t just about teaching a new skill. It was about helping her five-year-old son, Hunter, overcome a panic attack-inducing fear that had become a major barrier to his independence.

While he was beginning to use the toilet for urination, Hunter, who is autistic, was reluctant to sit on the toilet for bowel motions and would often ask for a nappy when he needed to go. While making progress, a frightening accident where he fell back into the toilet derailed his confidence.

At Rocky Bay, our specialist continence nurses have been supporting children with bladder and bowel challenges for many years. Five-year-old Hunter’s story is one example of how personalised continence support can help children overcome barriers and achieve important milestones.

Today, Rocky Bay is building on this expertise with the launch of its new Dry Nights Bedwetting Clinic, providing specialised support for children aged 5 to 16 years experiencing nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bedwetting.

What is nocturnal enuresis?

Nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, is common in childhood. Most children are dry during the day by around three years of age and dry at night by the age of five. If bedwetting continues beyond this age, professional support may help identify contributing factors and develop strategies to improve night-time continence.

Bedwetting is usually accidental and occurs when a child does not wake when their bladder is full. It can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• Producing larger amounts of urine overnight.
• Sleeping very deeply and not recognising the need to use the toilet.
• Having a smaller bladder capacity.
• Family history of bedwetting.
• Sensory, developmental or behavioural factors that may affect toileting routines and awareness.

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Understanding the child behind the challenge

Understanding the reason behind a child’s bedwetting is often the first step towards building confidence and independence.

When Emma was referred to Rocky Bay Continence Nurse, Rob Dyke, she felt immediately comforted. Rather than relying on generic approaches, Rob took time to understand Hunter’s sensory needs, routines and motivations before creating an individualised continence plan.

“He was just such a lovely guy,” said Emma. “He said it was normal and that it’s not the end of the world. It was the reassurance that we needed.”

Personalised support that makes a difference

Many families try a range of strategies before seeking specialist support. Emma had already experimented with reward charts and other commonly recommended techniques, but they weren’t effective for Hunter.

Recognising Hunter’s love of dinosaurs, Rob created a personalised toileting chart and worked with the family to identify practical strategies that suited his communication style and sensory preferences.

The plan also considered other factors that may have been influencing toileting behaviours, including routine, anxiety and diet.

This personalised approach is a key part of Rocky Bay’s continence services. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, clinicians work closely with families to understand the underlying factors affecting continence and develop strategies tailored to each child.

How we helped

Small changes, big results

For Hunter, confidence grew over time. As he became more comfortable, he achieved a significant breakthrough, successfully using the toilet for a bowel motion.

“It was the biggest celebration in the world,” Emma said. “He was just so proud of himself’.

Perhaps most notably, his overall continence progressed significantly. Today, Emma says Hunter is “99 per cent there” and wakes up dry every morning.

That success quickly built momentum, in all areas of his life. As well as using toilets at home, school and in the community, his sensory concerns around toileting also improved. Emma said that she also started to notice a dramatic difference in his communication skills as well as his performance at school.

“He’s just smashing it. We’re so proud of him,” said Emma.

The Rocky Bay Dry Nights Bedwetting Clinic

Building on years of experience supporting children like Hunter, Rocky Bay has launched its new Bedwetting Clinic for children experiencing nocturnal enuresis, delivered by Rocky Bay’s specialist continence nursing team across the Perth metropolitan area.

The program uses mat and alarm therapy to support children to develop night-time bladder control. A discreet sensor mat is placed under the child while they sleep, and when moisture is detected, an alarm or vibration is triggered to wake them. With consistency and support, many children develop stronger bladder awareness and improved sleep routines.

Could your child benefit from support?

The Rocky Bay Dry Nights Bedwetting Clinic combines clinical expertise with personalised care to help children gain confidence, increase independence and enjoy greater freedom in everyday life.

Families and carers can submit referrals directly – no external referral is required.

To learn more about the Rocky Bay Bedwetting Clinic, contact Rob today:

Email: Robert.dyke@rockybay.org.au
Phone: 08 6499 4296

A few words

“You don’t feel judged. Rob reassured me and made Hunter seem normal. There’s so much outside pressure. We’re (parents and carers) stressing ourselves trying to work it all out. Just trust in yourself, because you know your kids best. Hunter is smashing it. We’re so proud of him.”

- Emma Jeakings, Hunter's mum