Some one in eight children who wet the bed experience a worsening of the problem if they are away from home and this can result in them missing out on fun summer activities such as sleepovers and camping trips, a new survey has found.

Over 400 parents of children aged between five and 12, who wet their beds, were surveyed. Among these, two in three said that their child continued to wet the bed regularly when away from home and one in eight said the problem actually worsened.

At least one in four parents said that their child ‘misses out' on summer activities such as sleepovers as a result.

Furthermore, at least one in three parents admit that their summer holiday is affected by a child's bedwetting, with some becoming more anxious that their child will have an accident and that they will have to inform others about this.

Others admitted that their holiday was affected because they had to ensure that their child wore pull-ups and they had to remember extra supplies, such as disposable bed mats.

The survey showed that many parents are obviously worried that this is something their child cannot control. And many worry when their child is embarrassed or self-conscious the next morning.

However, while some are determined to help their children with the problem, one in three admitted to feeling embarrassed for their child, one in four said they do not talk to anyone else about it and nine in 10 said they do not attend their GP for help.

Common strategies that parents use to minimise the problem include restricting children's drinks late in the evening, praising children when they are not wet and not making a big deal about it if they are.

"Surprisingly, only 8% of parents interviewed had spoken to their GP about their child's problem. I would encourage any parent coping with a child who wets the bed to visit their GP, or in some areas their local HSE public health nurse," commented Dr Nick Van Der Spek, a consultant paediatrician at Cavan General Hospital.

The survey was released to coincide with the launch of the ‘Search for a Dry Bed' campaign by bedwetting.ie. As part of this, Dr Van Der Spek will host a live questions and answers session for parents at 7pm on May 23 on www.facebook.com/MummyPages