You know your toddler is going to have some accidents at night, especially when they’re being potty trained. You don’t expect the problem to continue once they remain dry during the day. But what if your child is still having accidents at night, and they’re well past potty training. Do you know when to see a pediatrician about night-time bedwetting?

Nocturnal enuresis – or bedwetting – is a common condition among young children. Children’s bladders may not grow as quickly as the rest of their bodies, so they may not be able to hold the urine until morning while they’re sleeping at night. In most cases, bedwetting isn’t associated with a particular disease, but that doesn’t mean a disease can be ruled out.

Bedwetting affects nearly 20% of all children under the age of five. It can also affect older children, young adults, and even older adults but in greatly reduced numbers. Because this condition is so common in infants and toddlers, most doctors don’t consider medical intervention until the child has entered school or has been able to remain dry for some time and then begins wetting the bed again.

There are basically two classifications of bedwetting: primary and secondary nocturnal enuresis. The primary classification describes children who have never been able to remain dry consistently during the night. Secondary nocturnal enuresis describes children that have been dry consistently for more than six months and then begin to have episodes of bedwetting again.

Children will begin to have dry nights in increasing numbers as their body grows and they begin to recognize the need to use the restroom. The problem, however, begins after a child has been dry consistently for four to six months and then wets the bed again. Several things may have brought bedwetting back:

• Changes in their environment such as a death in the family, a new baby in the house, or beginning school may be the culprit.
• Sexual abuse or bullying may also be a contributing factor.
• Urinary tract infections and diabetes are rare medical conditions that may be to blame. If a urinary tract infection is to blame, your child may complain of pain during urination. Diabetes may be the cause, particularly if your child is wetting the bed frequently during the night, the child is excessively thirsty, or they lose weight for no reason.

If the symptoms listed above are present in your child and they have begun wetting the bed again after being dry consistently for quite some time, it would be a sign that a call to the pediatrician is in order. A thorough examination will allow the doctor to diagnose the problem and then recommend treatment.

You know that bedwetting can be embarrassing for your child. If they’ve been dry and then started to wet the bed again, it may be wise to see your child’s pediatrician. They can rule out medical reasons for bedwetting and may even be able to give you ideas to combat the problem and allow your child to have dry nights again – permanently.