Cause bedwetting, why does my child wet the bed?

Bedwetting is more common than you think, about 1 in 10 children as young as 6 years old regularly wet the bed. Fortunately, it is usually easily treatable, but to effectively address bedwetting, it is important to fully understand the causes of bedwetting. In this article, we explain why children may wet the bed at night and what can be done about it.

Cause group 1: Physical causes of bedwetting.

These causes have to do with the body and the way urine is produced and stored.

1. Reduced production of ADK hormone.

Some children do not make enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at night. This hormone causes the kidneys to produce less urine at night. As a result, the bladder fills more quickly and a child wets the bed more quickly.

2. Small (functional) bladder capacity.

In some children, the bladder still struggles to hold enough urine for the entire night, this may be due to tension in the pelvic floor or increased sensitivity.

3. Obstipation (constipation).

A full rectum presses against the bladder, causing the bladder to function less well. This is a common cause for the problem, but this is often overlooked as a cause of bedwetting.

4. Urinary tract infections

With a bladder infection, the child may have difficulty controlling the bladder, including at night. Usually a urinary tract infection is temporary, but important to follow up medically.

Cause group 2: Sleep- and developmentally-related causes of bedwetting.

These causes are linked to neurodevelopment and children's sleep patterns.

5. Deep sleep/delayed waking mechanism.

Some children sleep so deeply that the signal of a full bladder does not get through. These children simply do not wake up while urinating in sleep, even though the bladder is full.

6. Slow neurological maturation

Bladder control logically develops differently in each child. In some children, it takes longer for the signals between the brain and the bladder to work properly and be picked up. Especially at night, the bladder has difficulty with this.

Cause group 3: Genetic and hereditary factors

7. Heredity

Did one of the parents used to be a bedwetter? Then there is up to 40% more chance that the child will also have problems with bedwetting. If both parents have suffered from this, the chance is as high as 70%. So bedwetting can run in the family, which is nothing to be ashamed of! Read more about the heredity of bedwetting.

Cause group 4: Medical and neurological causes (rarely)

Although bedwetting usually has no psychological cause, emotions can affect a child's potty training.

8. Stress or major changes

Stress and major changes can greatly affect a child's bedwetting behavior, consider situations such as:

• A move
• Divorce
• Birth of a sibling
• Stress at school

These factors can exacerbate or re-initiate bedwetting.

Causes group 5: Medical and neurological causes

9. Neurological disorders or anatomical abnormalities.

In rare cases, bedwetting is a result of a medical condition, such as the examples below:

• Spina bifida (spina bifida)
• Neurological damage
• Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract

This is often accompanied by daytime symptoms; if this is the case, always contact a doctor to have it looked at.

Summary table, causes of bedwetting

How do you recognize the cause of bedwetting?

Recognizing the cause of bedwetting begins with proper observation. Age plays an important role, up to 5 years old, bedwetting is usually normal and part of development. So if your child is in their late 5s or older than 6 and still wets the bed regularly, it is a good idea to look into this further.

Pay attention to sleep patterns, children who have difficulty waking up or sleep deeply at night often do not feel the urge. This may indicate a delayed waking mechanism. Daytime behavior also says a lot. If your child has no accidents during the day, then the cause is less likely to be physical. But if there are also signs during the day such as small bits of urination, abdominal pain or constipation, then there may be bladder problems or constipation.

Stress and the changes in the home situation (move, divorce, tension at school) can temporarily worsen bedwetting, especially if the child has previously been dry for long periods of time. Don't forget heredity, if one of the parents used to be a bedwetter. Chances are then good that this will also occur in your child.

By paying close attention to these signs, you as a parent will quickly gain more insight. Extra tip: keep a pee diary. This will help you see patterns and assess causes and provide valuable information if you decide to seek help.

When is it wise to seek help?

So bedwetting is normal up to a certain age, but there are some signs you should watch for. When your child starts to turn 5/6 years old and the bedwetting persists, this may be a reason to keep an eye on it. Also when bedwetting suddenly starts again after a long dry period and/or complaints and accidents are experienced during the day.

Finally, if a medical cause such as infection or constipation is suspected, it is also wise to seek help. In doubt about whether it is necessary? Then just contact your doctor or a urotherapist!

What can you do as a parent?

Fortunately, there are fine ways developed to properly address bedwetting, especially if you know the cause of bedwetting. The Dryly Bedwetting Alarm helps children learn to wake up at urges and addresses the problem effectively and child-friendly. Wizzu the panda bear takes your child by the hand to become potty trained within 6 to 8 weeks. Combined with the handy app, you can make the process insightful and extra fun!

Check out our child-friendly bedwetting alarm, or read more about how our method works!