Cause of bedwetting: Why does my child wet the bed?

Bedwetting is actually more common than you think. 1 in 10 children aged 6 regularly wets the bed. Fortunately, bedwetting is usually easy to treat. It is important to understand the causes of bedwetting precisely. In this article, we explain why children at night may wet the bed and what can be done about it.

Cause group 1: Physical causes for bedwetting

These causes are related to the body and the way urine is produced and stored.

1. Reduced production of the ADH hormone

Some children produce too little antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at night. This hormone ensures that the kidneys produce less urine at night. This causes the bladder to fill up faster, leading the child to wet the bed more quickly.

2. Small (functional) bladder capacity

In some children, the bladder still has difficulty holding enough urine throughout the night. This can be caused by: tension in the pelvic floor or increased sensitivity.

3. Constipation (blockage)

A full rectum presses against the bladder, affecting its function. The bladder functions less well. This is a common, yet often overlooked, cause of bedwetting.

4. Urinary tract infections

With a bladder infection, a child may have difficulty controlling their bladder even at night. Usually, a urinary tract infection is temporary , but it is important to monitor it medically.

Cause group 2: Sleep and developmental causes for bedwetting

These causes are related to neurological development 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 during their sleep, urinating even when their bladder is full.

6. Slow neurological maturation

Bladder control develops logically differently for every child . For some children, it takes longer for the signals between the brain and bladder to function and be received correctly. The bladder struggles with this, especially at night.

Cause group 3: Genetic and hereditary factors

7. Heredity

Was one of the parents a bedwetter in the past? Then the chance that the child will also struggle with bedwetting is 40% higher. If both parents suffered from it, the likelihood is as high as 70%. Therefore, bedwetting can run in the family, and there is no need to be ashamed of that! Read more about the heredity of bedwetting .

Cause group 4: Psychosocial causes

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

8. Stress or major changes

Stress and major changes can have a big impact on a child's bedwetting behavior, such as in the following situations:

• Moving house
• Divorce
• Birth of a brother or sister
• Stress at school

These factors can cause bedwetting to worsen or reoccur .

Cause group 5: Medical and neurological causes

9. Neurological disorders or anatomical abnormalities

In exceptional cases, bedwetting is the result of a medical condition, as in the following examples:

• Spina bifida
• Neurological damage
• Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract

This is often accompanied by complaints during the day . In this case, be sure to consult a doctor to have it investigated.

Summary table: causes of bedwetting

How to identify the cause of bedwetting?

Recognizing the cause of bedwetting begins with good observation . Age plays an important role; up to the age of 5, bedwetting is usually normal and part of development. So if your child is approaching 5 or is over 6 and still regularly wets the bed, it is good to investigate further.

Pay attention to the sleep rhythm. Children who have difficulty waking up or sleep deeply at night often do not feel the urge. This can indicate a delayed waking mechanism. Daytime behavior also says a lot. Does your child have accidents during the day? Then it is less likely that the cause is purely physical. But if there are signals during the day, such as small amounts of urine, abdominal pain, or constipation, it could point to bladder problems or constipation.

Stress and changes in the home environment (moving, divorce, tension at school ) can temporarily worsen bedwetting, especially if the child was dry for a long period. Don't forget that heredity plays a role if one of the parents was a bedwetter in the past. There is a good chance that this also occurs in your child.

If you as a parent pay close attention to these signals, you will quickly gain more insight. Extra tip: Keep a pee diary . This way, you will identify patterns, be better able to assess causes, and gain valuable information if you decide to ask for help.

When is it useful to seek help?

Bedwetting is normal up to a certain age, but there are a number of signs to look out for. When your child turns 5/6 and the bedwetting persists, it can be a reason to keep an eye on it. Also, if bedwetting suddenly starts again after a long dry period and/or complaints and accidents during the day are experienced.

Finally, if you suspect a medical cause such as infections or constipation, it is also advisable to seek help. Unsure if it is necessary? Then simply contact your doctor or a urotherapist!

What can you do as a parent?

Fortunately, great methods have been developed to effectively combat bedwetting, especially when the causes are known. The Dryly bedwetting alarm helps children wake up when prompted and addresses the problem effectively and in a child-friendly way. Wizzu, the panda bear, takes your child by the hand so they can go to the toilet within 6 to 8 weeks. Combined with the practical app, you can make the process transparent and even more fun!

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