Bed-Wetting: Should I Do Something About My Child's Bed-Wetting?

Bed-wetting about twice a week is common in children.^{footnote 1}

• In 5-year-olds, 15 to 20 out of 100 children wet the bed.
• In 7-year-olds, 7 out of 100 children wet the bed.
• In 10-year-olds, 5 out of 100 children wet the bed.
• In 12- to 14-year-olds, 2 or 3 out of 100 children wet the bed.

Children grow and develop at different rates. Bed-wetting will usually stop over time without treatment. Bed-wetting is rarely caused by a medical problem.

Treatment for bed-wetting is usually not a cure. The goal is to reduce the number of times the child wets the bed and to manage the wetting until it goes away on its own.

Treatments that can be used at home vary in how well they work. Many treatments help the child learn to notice the signals sent by the bladder when it is full. Treatments can be used alone or together and may include:

• A moisture alarm. The alarm is worn on the body and makes a sound when urine first touches the child's underclothes. The child is encouraged to try to "beat the buzzer." Moisture alarms are the most successful treatment for bed-wetting, especially in children ages 10 and older.
• Motivational therapy. This method involves parents encouraging and reinforcing a child's sense of control over bed-wetting. Parents repeatedly tell their child that he or she can master bed-wetting. And they also work with the child to design a reward system that will encourage and motivate the child to stay dry. This treatment works best for children who want to take part in it.
• Desmopressin and tricyclic antidepressants. Although medicines help some children, bed-wetting usually returns after the medicine is stopped. They may be used with other treatments or as needed, such as for an overnight event. Sometimes medicine may be given for a few nights as a way to encourage or motivate a child by helping him or her experience nighttime dryness.

Depending on how you manage it, your child might feel punished or feel as though attention is being drawn to the wetting.

If you use medicines, your child may have side effects, including an irregular heartbeat. Keep medicines out of children's reach. Some can be very dangerous if taken in large doses.

If your child's bed-wetting isn't caused by a medical problem, it's fine to wait for the bed-wetting to stop on its own. It won't increase your child's risk for physical problems.

Bed-wetting may affect your child's self-esteem and relationships with peers and with family members. But you may be able to prevent these problems. Reassure your child that it is normal for some children to take a little longer than others to gain bladder control. Ask what your child would like to do to manage the problem until it goes away, and expect him or her to take responsibility for it (with your support).