Pediatric Physicians, PC

Bedwetting Questions and Answers

As printed in Around Town Publishing, October 2006

Many children and teenagers wet the bed every night. It is extremely common, although not often discussed outside of the pediatrician's office.

How Common is Bedwetting?
Bed wetting, or nocturnal enuresis, often begins when children are toddlers. Approximately 15% of six year olds and about 5% of all ten year olds wet the bed. Many of the children who wet the bed are very deep sleepers and don't wake up when their bladders are full. Very rarely is bedwetting caused by a disease or physical problem and often a family member or relative will also have a history of bedwetting.

What are some treatments for Bedwetting?
The good news is that given time almost all children will eventually outgrow it. It is important that parents and children remember that wetting is not done "on purpose" and there should be no punishment.

Parents can try to reassure the child that this is normal and not their fault. They can help by limiting liquids before bedtime, encouraging the child to go to the bathroom before bedtime, praising the child after a dry night, and waking the child during the night to go to the bathroom. Sometimes these methods will help, but most of the time it does not end the bedwetting. Some families will try alarms which are connected to a little pad which is placed in the underwear. If the pad senses moisture, it will alarm--some will buzz or vibrate. This will wake the child and then they will be able to go to the bathroom. There are some medicines which help children not wet the bed, but they are only temporary and not a cure. They may be useful for children to take on special occasions, such as sleepovers, camping trips, etc.

When to talk to your doctor?
It is always a good idea to discuss it with your pediatrician. S/he will ask questions and examine your child and might do a urine test. Also, tell your pediatrician if your child is having daytime accidents, having painful urination, losing weight, having blood in the urine, or if the problem is affecting self esteem.

The good news is that eventually your child's brain will be able to sense that the bladder is full and wake up to go the bathroom. Remember, be patient--there are dry nights ahead!

Dr. Monica Marlowe practices general pediatrics with Pediatric Physicians, PC of Roswell and Windward.

If you have a pediatric question of general interest, please submit it to advice@PediatricPhysiciansPC.com. One of the board certified pediatricians from Pediatric Physicians, PC will answer a selected question in this column each month.

Back to list of articles

The content of this site is not a substitute for medical advice: It is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, is for general informational purposes only. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT, BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THESE CONTENT RESOURCES. NEVER RELY ON INFORMATION IN THESE CONTENT RESOURCES IN PLACE OF SEEKING PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE.