Does your child pee a lot or can't hold the pee? Read what helps!
Urinary problems in children are more common than you think. You may notice that your child has to pee a lot in a day. Or worse, that your child cannot hold up the pee leading to accidents. This can happen at home, at school or even in bed. This is very annoying for a child, but also a source of worry for parents. Fortunately, there is a lot that can be done about it!
On this page we discuss why children urinate a lot or cannot hold their urine, what you can do as a parent, and which aids such as a bedwetting alarm or vibration alarm watch can really help.
Having to pee a lot in children, what does it mean?
If you notice that your child has to go to the toilet throughout the day, it means that your child has to pee a lot, But what is ''a lot''? On average, a child pees 4 to 7 times a day. If your child is well above this, say 10 or more times a day, this could be wise:
- A too small bladder capacity
- Drinking too much in a short period of time
- Habitual urination (out of insecurity or boredom)
- A bladder that signals too quickly
- Another condition such as a bladder infection
Especially if the child urinates frequently during the day and night, it is a good idea to discuss this with the doctor. But often it is habits and behavior that play a role.
Unable to hold up pee, what's the reason?
Some children simply feel the urge to urinate too late. Others delay urination so long that it is too late. Thus, it happens that children cannot hold their pee even if they have been potty trained for a long time.
Possible causes are:
- Playing or being distracted (they ''forget'' to pee)
- Not daring to go to the toilet on time at school
- Stress or tension
- Bad habits (e.g., delaying urination)
- Insufficient bladder training
This can lead to frustration for the child, who is embarrassed or sad, and for parents, who feel powerless. But remember: this is not unwillingness. It is a skill that still needs to be developed.
Why is frequent urination or not holding up pee a problem?
Many young children struggle with potty training at first. But there are signs where it is a good idea to seek help or take action in advance:
- Your child still wets their pants regularly during the day
- Your child suddenly has to urinate a lot without drinking more
- Your child cannot stop urinating while playing
- Your child continues to wet the bed despite previous toilet training
- There are embarrassment or social problems
Even if your child is older than six and still wets the bed or has accidents during the day, it is a good idea to seek support.
What can you do as a parent?
Fortunately, there are many things you can do as a parent to help your child:
1. Establish a peeing routine.
Have your child go to the bathroom every 2-3 hours, even when your child doesn't feel an urge. This way the body learns a rhythm, and the bladder does not become overfull.
2. Give positive attention
Focus not on the accidents, but on what goes well. Reward every time your child goes to the toilet on time with, such as with a sticker or a compliment.
3. Pay attention to drinking and timing
Make sure your child drinks well spread throughout the day, especially water. Do not drink too much just before bedtime, this will prevent many and major accidents.
4. Use tools that really help
Sometimes behavioral training is not enough, or your child is motivated to really get rid of urination. In this situation, a tool like the bedtime pee alarm and daytime pee watch can be the solution.
The bedwetting alarm, help with bedwetting
Bedwetting occurs in a larger proportion of children ages 5 and up than most people think. This usually has nothing to do with laziness, but with the cooperation between the bladder and brain.
A bedwetting alarm helps train on this process. The alarm goes off as soon as the child begins to urinate, so the child learns to wake up at the first signs of urge.
Benefits of the bedwetting alarm:
- Teaches to recognize the signals between the brain and the bladder
- Permanent effect compared to, for example, bedwetting medication
- Training period of 3 months on average
- Proven effective method for children as young as 5 years old.
By using the bedwetting alarm, the child learns to wake up step by step before and not after wetting the bed. Thus, your child will actually wake up to pee after the training!
The pee watch, the daytime training
For children who have to pee a lot during the day or cannot hold their urine, the vibration alarm watch is ideal. This is a smart watch with a discreet alarm that reminds your child to go to the bathroom.
Such a watch helps children in the following ways:
- Pee regularly before the urge is too great
- Establish a regular routine
- Prevent accidents
- Gain more control and confidence
Our pee watches are specially made for children, cheerful, comfortable and easy to use both at home and at school.
Restore your child's self-confidence
Accidents caused by not being able to hold up pee or having to pee a lot can affect your child's self-confidence. For example, children are afraid to go to sleepovers or feel different from their classmates. By actively working with tools and routines, you as a parent can make a huge difference.
Show your child that he/she is not alone, and that there are solutions that really work. After all, every child deserves to feel secure both during the day and at night.
Ready to help your child?
If you notice that your child has to pee a lot or cannot hold the pee, it is good to do something about it. Don't wait too long: with the right approach and tools, you can often see improvement within a few weeks.
Check out our:
Nighttime Bedwetting Alarm: For children ages 5 and up who still pee in bed.
Daytime Vibration Alarm Watch: For children who feel too late that they have to pee.
Together we help your child towards more control, confidence and peace of mind. Because becoming dry can be a difficult process, but every child can learn it!
