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Home › Expert Q&A › Bedwetting › My 6-year-old constantly wets the bed at night. I've tried using an alarm, which worked at first, but now he sleeps through it. What should I do?

Expert Q&A

 

By David L. Fay, M.D.
Family Physician
Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program

My 6-year-old constantly wets the bed at night. I've tried using an alarm, which worked at first, but now he sleeps through it. What should I do?

You might want to ask your doctor to rule out irritable bladder syndrome (IBS). Some of the symptoms you describe sound like they could point to IBS as a possibility. It usually surfaces as a habit or pattern of when the wetting occurs. The bladder feels like it can only hold 2 or 3 ounces of urine and then within 10 seconds after having that feeling (awake or asleep), the child will wet his pants. It could happen so fast, he really doesn't get much of a "warning" feeling. If it does turn out to be IBS, there are day medicines that can help. There are also many children who just grow out of wetting over time. You mention, he might go weeks and then do it several times a day. Offer these patterns you notice to your pediatrician, more information allows doctors to better assess any situation.

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