Hygiene for children (5-12 years)

Children have immature immune systems, which makes them vulnerable to getting sick more often. Your child is frequently interacting with new environments and different people such as childcare, public playgrounds, and libraries. As a result, your preschooler comes into contact with new germs and bacteria that can easily spread and make them sick. 

Good hand hygiene and handwashing can prevent many infections.

See the Hand hygiene factsheet for more information.

Daytime wetting

Children tend to start to be dry overnight between three and five years old. However, bedwetting can continue into the younger years of primary school. Around 1 in 5, five-year olds wet the bed overnight. 

See the Bedwetting factsheet for more information.

Bedwetting

Children tend to start to be dry overnight between three and five years old. However, bedwetting can continue into the younger years of primary school. Around 1 in 5, five-year olds wet the bed overnight.

See the Bedwetting factsheet for more information.

Constipation

Constipation is when poo becomes too hard and difficult to pass through the rectum when a child goes to the toilet. It is a common problem in children and can be treated with a healthy diet and good toilet habits. Some children can poo three or four times a day, and others may go twice a week without any problems. Pay attention to what is normal for your child. 

See the Constipation factsheet for more information.

Encopresis

Encopresis is also called soiling. It is a condition where children have runny poo that they can’t control due to unknown severe constipation. This happens when there is a build-up of loose, liquid poo that leaks around the hard, older poo that is stuck in the bowel. Speak to your doctor if your child shows signs of encopresis or soiling.

See the Constipation factsheet for more information. 