Daytime wetting in children and young people

Daytime wetting

Daytime wetting is common affecting 1 in 75 children (ERIC.org.uk). Even without help it will usually settle down with time. Some children can start to become wet during the day after being reliably dry for some time. Some children may never have been dry. It is more common for girls than boys to be wet during the day. In the majority of cases there is no serious underlying disorder however if wetting is still happening after 5 years old, you should book an appointment with a doctor so it can be looked into.

What causes daytime wetting?

• Constipation is one of the main causes of childhood wetting accidents. A full bowel can put pressure on the bladder making it feel full more quickly.
• Not taking time to allow the bladder to fully empty will mean more trips to the toilet.
• Some drinks can make symptoms worse, in particular fizzy drinks, caffeine drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cola) and some fruit juices - especially blackcurrant.
• Bladder infections or Urinary tract infections (UTI) can make peeing painful and urine smell. An appointment with the GP can help rule this out.
• Having an overactive bladder. This is when there is a sudden and frequent urge to empty the bladder. Your child may go more often than other children or find it hard to hold on. The 'wee dance' is a common response.
• Anxiety or emotional upset can increase the urge to go to the toilet. The same is true with a sudden change in routine such as moving house or a new baby.
• Children can become so absorbed in an activity that they ignore or don't hear the message that the bladder is full.
• Not drinking enough fluid makes the pee more concentrated which can irritate the bladder causing frequent toilet trips or leaks.

How often should children pee?

• Children over 5 years old should empty their bladder 4-7 times a day, or approximately every 2/2.5 hours
• Younger children pee more frequently. The bladder of a 3 year old hold about 120mls and increases in capacity by about 30mls per year.

• Drink plenty. Aim for 6-8 water based drinks each day. (Use a child sized cup).
• Avoid caffeine and blackcurrant based drinks as these can irritate the bladder making symptoms worse.
• The very young may need encouragement to visit the toilet.
• Older children may also require prompts of some kind.
• Avoid constipation by drinking plenty and eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Laxatives may be needed for a short while. Speak to your GP or Paediatrician about this.
• Encourage your child to take their time at the toilet to ensure the bladder is empty.
• Stay calm if accidents occur and use a reward chart for achievements.
• Make the school aware so that your child can drink enough and visit the toilet promptly. Schools can issue a ‘toilet pass’ to the child allowing them to leave class to visit the toilet.
• If the urine is strong and smelly, or if it is painful to empty the bladder, visit the G.P to check for infection.

Useful Resources:

ERIC website

Bladder and Bowel UK website