If your child struggles with constipation, has ongoing wetting accidents, or avoids using the toilet, you’re not alone. Bladder dysfunction in children and bowel dysfunction in children are common concerns that can significantly affect confidence, participation at school, sleep, emotional wellbeing, and family life.

The good news is that, with the right assessment and support, many bladder and bowel problems can be successfully managed. Paediatric continence physiotherapy provides evidence-based assessment and treatment to help children develop healthy bladder and bowel habits.

When should you seek help?

It may be time to see a paediatric continence physiotherapist if your child:

•  Continues to wet the bed after 5 years of age
•  Has not achieved daytime toilet training by 5 years of age
•  Experiences constipation
•  Has painful bowel motions
•  Has stool accidents (soiling)
•  Avoids using the toilet
•  Frequently rushes to the toilet with urgency
•  Has recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
•  Experiences toileting difficulties alongside autism, ADHD, hypermobility, developmental delay, or other neurological or developmental conditions

Every child develops at their own pace, and occasional accidents are a normal part of toilet training. However, persistent daytime wetting, bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis), constipation, or soiling (encopresis) may indicate bladder dysfunction in children or bowel dysfunction in children that would benefit from professional assessment.

Why do bladder and bowel problems occur?

There is rarely a single cause of bladder or bowel dysfunction. Instead, several factors often contribute, including:

• Constipation
• Delayed bladder or bowel habits
• Anxiety or emotional stress
• Sensory processing differences
• Hypermobility
• Developmental delays
• Neurological conditions
• Poor posture or breathing patterns
• Reduced pelvic floor muscle coordination

One of the most common contributors to bladder problems is constipation. Effective treatment of children’s constipation can often improve bladder symptoms, including urgency, frequency, and daytime wetting.

Identifying the contributing factors is the key to successful treatment.

How can paediatric continence physiotherapy help?

Paediatric continence physiotherapy focuses on identifying the underlying causes of bladder and bowel dysfunction rather than simply managing symptoms.

Treatment aims to improve how the bladder, bowel, breathing, posture, and muscles work together so children can develop healthy continence habits with confidence. Physiotherapy can help children experiencing constipation, daytime wetting, urgency, stool accidents, toileting anxiety, and bedwetting treatment through an individualised, family-centred approach.

What happens during the assessment?

Your first appointment begins with a relaxed conversation with you and your child. We’ll discuss:

• Your child’s bladder and bowel history
• Current concerns
• Daily routines and habits
• Medical and developmental history
• Your family’s goals

Following this discussion, a comprehensive assessment is completed to identify factors contributing to your child’s symptoms.

This assessment may include looking at:

• Posture
• Breathing patterns
• Movement and motor skills
• Core muscle function
• Pelvic floor muscle awareness and coordination
• Balance and body awareness
• Toileting routines and habits

Every assessment is tailored to your child’s age, abilities, and comfort level.

Trust is at the heart of every appointment. Children are never asked to perform activities or remove clothing if they feel uncomfortable. Assessments are always completed respectfully and at your child’s pace.

What does treatment involve?

Every treatment plan is individualised and may include:

• Education about healthy bladder and bowel habits
• Optimising fluid intake and toileting routines
• Children’s constipation management strategies
• Correct toilet positioning
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Core and pelvic floor muscle coordination
• Movement-based activities and play
• Exercises to improve posture and body awareness
• Individualised bedwetting treatment strategies
• Support for children with autism, ADHD, hypermobility, or neurological conditions
• Home programs that fit into everyday family life

Our goal is to make therapy practical, enjoyable, and achievable for both children and their families.

Working together

The best outcomes occur when everyone works as a team.

With your permission, your physiotherapist may collaborate with your child’s GP, paediatrician, gastroenterologist, occupational therapist, psychologist, school, or other health professionals to ensure your child receives coordinated care.

When might a referral be recommended?

Sometimes additional medical or allied health input is needed. If appropriate, your physiotherapist may recommend referral to your:

• GP
• Paediatrician
• Gastroenterologist
• Continence nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Psychologist
• Dietitian

Working collaboratively ensures your child receives the most appropriate care.

The bottom line

Bladder dysfunction in children, bowel dysfunction in children, constipation, and bedwetting are common—but they are also highly treatable.

Through paediatric continence physiotherapy, many children experience significant improvements in continence, comfort, confidence, and participation in everyday activities. Early assessment and treatment of children’s constipation and bedwetting can make a lasting difference to your child’s health and quality of life.

Ready to book?

Getting started is easy.

If you’re looking for expert paediatric continence physiotherapy, including assessment and treatment for children’s constipation, bedwetting treatment, bladder dysfunction in children, or bowel dysfunction in children, our experienced physiotherapists are here to help. Please Note: At Southside Physiotherapy, Lauren is currently the only trained practitioner providing this service. 

If you would like to refer a client or make a booking, please click here to fill out the referral form.  

For home visits and mobile appointments or general enquiries:

Call at 02 5116 6615 or email at mobile@sspg.com.au 

For in- clinic appointments or general enquiries:

Call at 02 6293 1955 or email at tug@sspg.com.au

About the author :

Lauren Heydenrych is a physiotherapist at Southside Physio with a special interest in paediatrics and early childhood development.