Child’s Bedwetting: Should You be Concerned?
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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What parents should know about bedwetting
Bedwetting, also called nocturnal (nighttime) enuresis or nighttime incontinence, is common in children. In fact, many normal, healthy children wet the bed until they are 5 years old, or even older.
Causes
In most cases of bedwetting in children, the cause is physical and not the child’s fault. The child’s bladder might be too small to accommodate the urine formed during the night. In some children, lack of ability to recognize bladder filling when asleep may cause them to wet the bed at night.
Bedwetting may also run in the family. If both parents wet their bed during their childhood, it is more likely that the child will also have the same problem. However, some children wet the bed even if both parents did not experience it.
In some cases, bedwetting may be caused by an infection, nerve problems or diabetes. Although rare, anxiety may cause bedwetting.
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When to consult a doctor about your child's bedwetting
Most children outgrow bedwetting. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), many children do not stay dry at night until age seven. A single episode of bedwetting should not cause alarm, even in older children.
A doctor may be able to help if your child is 7 years old or older and wets the bed often during sleep. If wetting occurs both day and night and your child is 5 years old or older, you should have him or her checked by a physician. An underlying problem might be causing the condition.
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Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
To find the cause of frequent bedwetting, the doctor will likely ask about your child’s health and wetting problem. He or she will also perform physical exam. In addition, the doctor may also ask for a urine sample to check for signs of an infection or diabetes.
If the doctor suspects problem in the child’s kidneys or urinary tract, he or she may order imaging studies.
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Treatment
Most children grow out of bedwetting naturally. Scolding and punishment do not help a child stop bedwetting. There are several ways to help your child stop wetting the bed.
Limit the child’s fluid intake before sleeping.
Bladder training can also help your child hold urine longer. Encouraging your child to delay urination during the day will help stretch the bladder to hold more urine.
Moisture Alarms
These devices are battery operated, which has a water-sensitive pad that can be put in the child’s bed or pajamas. When moisture is detected, an alarm goes off. The sound wakes the child, just in time to stop the flow of urine, get up, and use the toilet. Another person may also sleep in the same room to awaken the child when the alarm goes off.
Medications
In some cases, medicines may be prescribed by the doctor to manage bedwetting. A medicine to help slow down urine formation may help. Another medicine helps to relax the bladder so it can hold more urine. These medicines are often effective. However, bedwetting may return when the child stops taking the medicine.
If your child has a urinary tract infection, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics.
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What you can do
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Page Last Revised: February 26, 2011
Bedwetting, also called nocturnal (nighttime) enuresis or nighttime incontinence, is common in children. In fact, many normal, healthy children wet the bed until they are 5 years old, or even older.
Causes
In most cases of bedwetting in children, the cause is physical and not the child’s fault. The child’s bladder might be too small to accommodate the urine formed during the night. In some children, lack of ability to recognize bladder filling when asleep may cause them to wet the bed at night.
Bedwetting may also run in the family. If both parents wet their bed during their childhood, it is more likely that the child will also have the same problem. However, some children wet the bed even if both parents did not experience it.
In some cases, bedwetting may be caused by an infection, nerve problems or diabetes. Although rare, anxiety may cause bedwetting.
[Top of Page]
When to consult a doctor about your child's bedwetting
Most children outgrow bedwetting. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), many children do not stay dry at night until age seven. A single episode of bedwetting should not cause alarm, even in older children.
A doctor may be able to help if your child is 7 years old or older and wets the bed often during sleep. If wetting occurs both day and night and your child is 5 years old or older, you should have him or her checked by a physician. An underlying problem might be causing the condition.
[Top of Page]
Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
To find the cause of frequent bedwetting, the doctor will likely ask about your child’s health and wetting problem. He or she will also perform physical exam. In addition, the doctor may also ask for a urine sample to check for signs of an infection or diabetes.
If the doctor suspects problem in the child’s kidneys or urinary tract, he or she may order imaging studies.
[Top of Page]
Treatment
Most children grow out of bedwetting naturally. Scolding and punishment do not help a child stop bedwetting. There are several ways to help your child stop wetting the bed.
Limit the child’s fluid intake before sleeping.
Bladder training can also help your child hold urine longer. Encouraging your child to delay urination during the day will help stretch the bladder to hold more urine.
Moisture Alarms
These devices are battery operated, which has a water-sensitive pad that can be put in the child’s bed or pajamas. When moisture is detected, an alarm goes off. The sound wakes the child, just in time to stop the flow of urine, get up, and use the toilet. Another person may also sleep in the same room to awaken the child when the alarm goes off.
Medications
In some cases, medicines may be prescribed by the doctor to manage bedwetting. A medicine to help slow down urine formation may help. Another medicine helps to relax the bladder so it can hold more urine. These medicines are often effective. However, bedwetting may return when the child stops taking the medicine.
If your child has a urinary tract infection, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics.
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What you can do
- Do not give your child drinks just before bedtime. Avoid giving drinks with caffeine, like colas or tea because these drinks speed up urine formation.
- Encourage your child to use the bathroom just before going to bed.
- Do not scold or punish your child, it does not help stop the child’s bedwetting.
- Be supportive of your child. Praise your child for dry nights or for his or her effort for following routines at bedtime.
- Be patient. Most children outgrow bedwetting. Some children just take more time than others.
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Page Last Revised: February 26, 2011
