Hi Christine – stress is a frequent cause of wetting for children who had previously achieved daytime continence. Daytime wetting may begin after a known stress, such as starting preschool or a moving house, the death of a relative, or a family illness. Most of the time, however, incontinence due to stress has no readily identifiable cause. If whatever is causing the stress is identified and eliminated, the problem usually disappears within weeks. If not, the frequency may persist for two to three months. The most common reason for daytime wetting, particularly for boys, is holding their urine to the last possible minute. Young children become so engrossed in play activities that they ignore the bladder’s signal to urinate. This may explain why he wets while awake but does not really account for his wetting while asleep. While it is not unusual for children to experience the occasional daytime accident for a number of years after being toilet trained, an increase in the frequency of wetting or wetting which is accompanied by a strong odour should always be checked by a doctor.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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