When Does a Toddler Stop Wetting the Bed at Night?

Toddlers outgrow bedwetting over time.

Bedwetting, also known as enuresis, can occur for different reasons including immature bladder issues and deep sleeping patterns. Over time, toddlers generally outgrow this habit.

Misconceptions

Toddlers who wet the bed do not do so on purpose. Nor are they lazy or afraid to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. In general, bedwetting occurs because the child's brain is not alerted when the bladder needs to be relieved; or the child sleeps so deeply that they do not wake up to use the bathroom. A habit such as this is not an indicator of physical or emotional abnormality.

Facts

There is no certain age or timeframe when children stop wetting the bed. Though most children eventually stop wetting the bed on their own, the habit can stick through the pre-teen years and, in rare cases, through adulthood. It is suggested that six or seven year olds be taken to see a doctor if the wetting persists.

Prevention/Solution

There are a variety of tactics that parents can employ to help even the youngest toddlers stop wetting the bed. Nightlifting, for example, involves waking the child frequently through the night and taking your toddler to urinate in the bathroom. This helps form the habit of getting out of a deep sleep before bedwetting occurs. Also, putting off urination during the day actually exercises bladder muscles, which might help toddlers make it through the night without wetting the bed.

References

• Child Development Info: Bedwetting-Solutions that Work for Child Bedwetting
• Kid's Health: Bedwetting