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Bed-Wetting in Children

Condition Basics

What is bed-wetting?

Bed-wetting is accidental urination during sleep. Children learn bladder, Opens dialog control at different ages. Children younger than 4 often wet their beds or clothes because they can't yet control their bladders. But by age 5 or 6, most children can stay dry through the night.

In some cases, the child has been wetting the bed all along. But bed-wetting can also start after a child has been dry at night for a long time.

What causes it?

Children don't wet the bed on purpose. Most likely, a child wets the bed for one or more reasons, such as having a small or overactive bladder, constipation, having too little of a certain hormone, or having emotional or social problems. An infection may also cause bed-wetting.

What are the symptoms?

There are often no other symptoms besides wetting the bed. If a child cries or has pain when urinating or has strong urges to urinate, bed-wetting may be a symptom of another medical condition. Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Any child older than age 5 or 6 who keeps wetting the bed may need to be checked by a doctor. A medical history and physical exam are used to diagnose bed-wetting. A urinalysis may also be done.

How is bed-wetting treated?

Treatment usually isn't needed for bed-wetting in children ages 7 and younger. Most children this age will learn to control their bladder without treatment. But treatment may help children older than 7 who wet the bed. Treatments include a praise and reward system, a moisture alarm, and medicine.

What can you do to help your child?

Help your child understand that bladder, Opens dialog control will get easier as your child gets older.

Here are some other tips that may help your child:

  • Give your child most of the day's fluids in the morning and afternoon.
  • Have your child avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, such as from chocolate or colas.
  • Have your child use the toilet before going to bed.
  • Let your child help solve the problem, if your child is older than 4. Your child can help decide which treatments to try.
  • Encourage your child by praising successes.

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Cause

Current as of: October 24, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.