In early childhood, bedwetting is considered a typical occurrence. Each child progresses at their own rate, which includes mastering bladder and bowel control. Before the age of 7, some children may still struggle to identify when their bladder is full, leading to bedwetting incidents. Toilet training typically occurs between ages 2 and 4, so occasional bedwetting is not uncommon during this period.

Causes of bedwetting in older children

According to the Cleveland Clinic, children are still learning to control the bladder as a urine reservoir. As a result, this condition remains common among children under the age of six. Boys are also more likely to wet the bed at night. At the age of 5-7 years, some children are still known to wet the bed, although in small amounts.

By the age of five, most children can use the toilet independently, so bedwetting is uncommon. Stress, emotional problems, and difficulty waking up from sleep are all potential causes of bedwetting after the age of five.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, in very rare conditions, bedwetting can be associated with certain medical conditions, such as:

• The bladder is not fully developed for their age
• Insufficient production of the hormone ADH (responsible for slowing down urine production at night) during childhood
• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes
• Constipation or chronic constipation
• ADHD (attention-getting and hyperactivity disorder)

If your child is still incontinent after the age of seven, you should consult a doctor.

Tips to overcome bedwetting in older children

Some ways that can be done to stop bedwetting in children aged 5-7 years or older include:

Monitor your child's fluid intake

Drinking excessive fluids before going to bed is one of the causes of nighttime bedwetting. To reduce bedwetting, limit fluid intake before bedtime. Increase drinking from the morning to the afternoon, and limit drinking at night to at least 1-2 hours before bedtime, to avoid excessive urine production at night, which can cause bedwetting.

Get your child used to urinating before bed

Encourage your child to urinate before bedtime as part of their routine, beginning during toilet training. Aim for your child to use the toilet every 2-3 hours during the day and before going to bed at night.

Even if your child doesn't feel the need to urinate, encourage them to sit on the toilet for a few minutes before bedtime to ensure their bladder is empty.

Reduce diuretic drink intake

Drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee and soft drinks, when consumed in large quantities, can increase fluid expenditure in the body. Consuming these drinks can make children urinate more frequently. For this reason, you should avoid drinking drinks containing caffeine, especially before bedtime.

Make sure the child feels confident going to the bathroom independently

Some children become self-reliant on sleeping habits by the age of 5. Occasionally, the distance between the bedroom and the bathroom can be daunting, causing children to feel reluctant or hesitant to go on their own. Consequently, they may not reach the bathroom in time when they need to urinate.

To address this issue, encourage your child to feel comfortable going to the bathroom by themselves. Keep the bathroom well-lit to alleviate any fear of darkness. If the bathroom seems too far away, consider relocating the child to a bedroom closer to the bathroom.

Ensure that the child get enough rest

Sometimes, children sleep deeply and may not wake up when their bladder are full due to insufficient sleep. Encourage quicker sleep onset for your child. Additionally, ensure that your child avoids electronic screens or cellphone use before bedtime.

Typically, children outgrow bedwetting by the age of 5-7 years. However, some children may continue this habit until they are 10–12 years old. If your child continues to wet the bed frequently despite following the strategies mentioned above, it's advisable to consult a doctor.

If you have any health-related questions,you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the health of women and children? Click here!