Bed-Wetting

Call your doctor if:

• Your child has signs of a Reference bladder or kidney infection Opens New Window or other symptoms, such as back pain, abdominal (belly) pain, or fever. Signs of a bladder or kidney infection include:
  • Cloudy or pink urine or bloodstains on underclothes.
  • Urinating more often than usual.
  • Crying or complaining when urinating.
• Your child age 4 or older is Reference wetting the bed Opens New Window and is leaking stool. The child may have stool blocking the Reference intestines Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window, caused by having constipation over a period of time.
• Your child wets the bed more frequently while you are using home treatment for bed-wetting.
• Your daughter older than 5 or your son older than 6 has never had bladder control for more than 3 months in a row after trying home treatment, and it is causing problems at school or in the child's relationships with family and friends.
• Your child who has had bladder control for at least 3 months has begun to wet the bed, and this has happened more than a few times.

If your child wets the bed but has no other symptoms, and you have tried home treatment without success, the doctor can recommend other methods of treatment.

Watchful waiting

Reference Watchful waiting Opens New Window is appropriate if bed-wetting is not affecting how your child is doing with schoolwork or getting along with his or her peers or family. Most children develop complete bladder control even without treatment. Home treatment may be all that is needed to help the child learn bladder control.

Watchful waiting may not be appropriate if bed-wetting starts after a child has had bladder control for a period of time. Look for possible Reference stresses Opens New Window that might be causing the bed-wetting. Bed-wetting may stop when your child's stress is relieved or managed. If it does not, your child should see a doctor. For more information, see:

Opens New Window Bed Wetting: Should My Child See a Doctor? Opens New Window

Who to see

The following health professionals can evaluate and treat bed-wetting:

• Reference Family doctor Opens New Window
• Reference Pediatrician Opens New Window
• Reference Nurse practitioner Opens New Window
• Reference Physician assistant Opens New Window

The following specialist(s) may be required if your child has medical or emotional conditions:

• Reference Urologist Opens New Window
• Reference Psychologist Opens New Window
• Reference Psychiatrist Opens New Window
• Reference Developmental pediatrician Opens New Window

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.