Bed-Wetting

Bed-wetting is accidental urination during sleep. Children learn bladder 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.

There are often no other symptoms besides wetting the bed.

A child may have other symptoms too, such as crying or complaining of pain when urinating, sudden strong urges to urinate, or increased thirst. In that case, bed-wetting may be a symptom of some other medical condition. Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms.

Any child older than age 5 or 6 who keeps wetting the bed may need to be checked by a doctor. The checkup should include a urinalysis.

A medical history and a physical exam are also part of a medical evaluation of bed-wetting. If you are having your child assessed for bed-wetting, keep a diary for a week or two before your visit. Write down when wettings occur and how much urine is released.

In some cases, a urine culture may be done to find out if your child has a bladder or kidney infection.

If a child has uncontrollable wetting both at night and in the day, other tests may be needed.

Treatment usually isn't needed for bed-wetting in children ages 7 and younger. Most children this age will learn to control their bladder over time without treatment.

But if your child older than 7 wets the bed at least 2 times a week for at least 3 months, treatment may help. With treatment, your child may wet the bed less often or may wake up to use the toilet more often. You and your child may also decide to try treatment if bed-wetting seems to be affecting how your child is doing with schoolwork or getting along with peers. Treatment may involve a praise and reward system (motivational therapy), a moisture alarm, or medicine. One or more of these methods may be used.

If bed-wetting is caused by a treatable medical problem, such as a bladder infection, the doctor will treat that problem.

Help your child understand that bladder 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.