Bedwetting
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is a condition that causes your child to urinate in bed while he or she sleeps. The condition occurs in children who are 5 years or older. Your child may wet the bed at least 2 times each week. He or she may never have had a dry night. He or she may have dry nights for at least 6 months and then begin to wet the bed again.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Contact your child's healthcare provider if:
- Your child has stomach cramps, no appetite, or a bad taste in his or her mouth.
- Your child is not sleeping as well as usual.
- Your child seems depressed or angers easily.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Help manage your child's bedwetting:
- Use a bedwetting alarm to wake your child if he or she begins to urinate during the night. Use the alarm for at least 2 months, or until your child is dry for 14 nights in a row.
- Remind your child to do pelvic muscle exercises. The exercises will help improve bladder control.
- Give your child a reward for each dry night. If your child is old enough, have him or her help you change the sheets. Never punish or shame your child for wetting the bed.
- Remind your child to urinate every 2 hours , or at least 3 times during the school day. Your child should also urinate right before he or she goes to bed each night. Encourage your child to have a bowel movement every day.
- Limit the amount of liquid your child drinks in the late afternoon and evening.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Medicines:
- Medicines can help your child's bladder hold more urine, or decrease the amount of urine made at night.
- Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Follow up with your child's healthcare provider as directed:
You may need to keep a record of your child's wet and dry nights. Bring the record with you to your child's follow-up visits. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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