Wetting the Bed – Normal or Not?

Even the best potty trained child can have a nighttime accident. Nearly half of all children still wet the bed at age 3. Even at age 5 doctors consider bed wetting normal, as one in five kids still wet the bed. (Source: WebMD). So when is the right time to be concerned about bed wetting? Generally, if your child still can’t stay dry overnight by age 6, it might be time to consult your pediatrician.

Reasons

There are many causes of bed wetting. Generally, bed wetting is caused when a child's normal, under-developed bladder gets full. It can also be caused by your child;s body not sending signals to the brain to wake from sleep when they have to go to the bathroom.

Stress such as a new sibling, a death of a close family member, a change in school or other event can sometimes lead to bed wetting.This could be the body’s reaction to stress, or a call out for attention.

A Few Quick Tips To Help

· Limit liquids before bed

· Have your child visit the potty several times before bedtime

· Don’t punish your child for the accident

· Have them participate in cleaning up but not as a punishment

· Use positive encouragement and rewards for staying dry at night


If you suspect that your child has a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or some other medical problem relates to their bedwetting, take them to your pediatrician.