Overview
Bed-wetting — also called nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis — means passing urine without intending to while asleep. This happens after the age at which staying dry at night can be reasonably expected.
Soggy sheets and pajamas — and an embarrassed child — are a familiar scene in many homes. But don’t get upset if your child wets the bed. Bed-wetting isn’t a sign of problems with toilet training. It’s often just a typical part of a child’s development.
Generally, bed-wetting before age 7 isn’t a concern. At this age, your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control.
If your child continues to wet the bed, treat the problem with patience and understanding. Lifestyle changes, bladder training, moisture alarms and sometimes medicine may help lessen bed-wetting.
Symptoms
Most kids are fully toilet trained by age 5, but there’s really no target date for having complete bladder control. Between the ages of 5 and 7, bed-wetting remains a problem for some children. After 7 years of age, a small number of children still wet the bed.
When to see a doctor
Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own — but some need a little help. In other cases, bed-wetting may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
Talk to your child’s doctor or other health care professional if:
- Your child still wets the bed after age 7.
- Your child starts to wet the bed after a few months of being dry at night.
- In addition to wetting the bed, your child has pain when passing urine, is often extra thirsty, has pink or red urine, has hard stools, or snores.
