PDF Version Available

Daytime wetting

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

What is daytime wetting?

• Daytime wetting (or daytime incontinence) is the uncontrollable leakage of urine while the child is awake.
• It can be continuous (continuous dribbling of urine) or intermittent (leakage of urine at intervals while staying dry in between).
• The amount of leakage can vary from a few drops on the underwear to large puddles.
• 1/3 of children who wet during the day also have bedwetting. Daytime wetting can be very embarrassing for school aged children.

What are the symptoms?

Children with daytime wetting commonly experience a sudden need to pass urine (urgency), and may leak if they do not reach the toilet in time (urge incontinence). They may also need to pass urine often (frequency). Children may experience urine leakage after laughing (giggle incontinence) or after certain physical activities (stress incontinence).

How common is it?

Most children are toilet trained by 5 years of age. However, almost 20% of 4 to 6 year olds wet their pants at some stage, and 3% wet twice or more in a week.

Why does it occur?

• Children commonly have daytime wetting because they have overactive bladders. Not drinking enough fluid and drinking caffeine-containing drinks such as chocolate or cola drinks can worsen overactive bladders and therefore also worsen daytime wetting.
• Children who do not pass urine normally and who have incomplete bladder emptying may also have daytime wetting. Incomplete bladder emptying may lead to recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Constipation can also commonly cause daytime wetting which can resolve with treatment for the constipation.
• Other rarer causes of daytime wetting include emotional stress, urinary tract infections (particularly in children who were previously dry) and diseases to the structures of the urinary tract or nerves (particularly in children who have continuous dribbling of urine).
• Children with developmental delay or autism may take longer to gain normal bladder control.

What can you do to help?

Try these ideas:

• Make sure your child is drinking enough.
• Avoiding caffeine containing drinks.
• Treat constipation (with increasing fluids, dietary fibre and the use of laxative).
• Remind your child to go to the toilet regularly (aim for 5-7 times a day), and not to hold on for too long if they feel the need to go to the toilet.
• Be aware that going to the toilet just because it is convenient can lead to small bladder volumes which can result in increased frequency and urgency.

When should you get professional help?

• If your child has continuous dribbling of urine.
• If they have been previously dry but has now started wetting.
• If you suspect that your child may have a urinary tract infection.
• If the amount of wetting is severe or is causing problems for your child.

Other treatments which may be recommended by your doctor or continence advisor include teaching the child how to relax their pelvic floor muscles to ensure that they completely empty their bladder when they void, bladder training, and medication.

• Most children grow out of daytime wetting with time and patience.
• Your child cannot control his/her daytime wetting, so punishment will not be helpful.
• Seek professional help if you are concerned.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead Tel: (02) 9845 3585 Fax: (02) 9845 3562 www.chw.edu.au	Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Tel: (02) 9382 1688 Fax: (02) 9382 1451 www.sch.edu.au	Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network Tel: (02) 4921 3670 Fax: (02) 4921 3599 www.kaleidoscope.org.au