Understanding Bedwetting
What is it? Involuntary urination during sleep in children over age 5. Very common - affects 15% of 5-year-olds and usually resolves on its own.
Common Causes:
- Small bladder capacity - can't hold all urine made at night
- Deep sleep patterns - child doesn't wake when bladder is full
- Genetic/family history - runs in families
- Medical conditions - constipation, UTI, diabetes, sleep apnea
Common Signs to Monitor
✅ Normal/Expected:
- Bedwetting with daytime dryness
- Child sleeps deeply and is hard to wake
- Family history of bedwetting
- Gradual improvement over time
⚠️ Watch For:
- New bedwetting in previously dry child
- Daytime accidents starting
- Pain or burning with urination
- Excessive thirst or drinking
- Constipation or hard stools
How to Treat at Home
✅ Basic Strategies:
- Remind child to get up at night to urinate
- Use night lights in bathroom or portable potty nearby
- Wake child when you go to bed (child walks to bathroom alone)
- Use waterproof mattress covers
- Track dry nights with sticker charts
✅ Age-Specific Approaches:
- Age 6+: Teach bedtime routine - lie down, pretend bladder is full, practice getting up
- Age 8+: Consider bedwetting alarm (highest success rate)
- All ages: Reduce fluids 1-2 hours before bed
❌ What NOT to Do:
- Don't punish or shame
- Don't restrict fluids during the day
- Don't wake multiple times per night
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us if:
- No improvement after 3 months of consistent strategies
- Child becomes very distressed or embarrassed
- Questions about bedwetting alarms or approach
- Family stress from bedwetting affecting sleep
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Daytime wetting starts occurring
- Excessive thirst or urination during day
- Constipation not improving
- New bedwetting in previously dry child
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care if your child is:
- Showing signs of UTI with fever and severe pain
- Unable to urinate or severe abdominal pain
- Showing signs of diabetes (extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss)
We'll check in with you in 1-2 weeks to assess progress. If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out.
