Hi J.F., unlike daytime urinary control, which is conscious and deliberate, nighttime bladder control is more dependent on maturation of children’s nervous systems and bladder so it is much more challenging to train a child a night. Nighttime continence generally occurs when children’s bodies have matured to a point where they are able to effectively store the amount of urine their kidneys produce overnight or they learn to wake in response to a full bladder. Generally one of the best indicators that your child is moving toward achieving nighttime continence is an increase in the number of mornings where she wakes-up dry. You can encourage healthy bladder development by ensuring she drinks water regularly throughout the day and fully empties her bladder just before bedtime. Sometimes children find a nightlight helpful particularly if they are able to wake-up independently. Time and lots of patience are the best ways to manage bedwetting among young children, remembering that most children stop wetting the bed by the time they turn 6 years of age.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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