Paediatrics, by video or in person
Bedwetting in Children
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Bedwetting in Children
- Wetting the bed during sleep, on some or most nights
- A child who has never been dry at night, or who was dry for six months or more and started wetting again
- Wetting, urgency or going very often during the day as well
- Constipation alongside the wetting
- Embarrassment, avoiding sleepovers, or being teased
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Bedwetting is when a child wets the bed during sleep. It is common in young children, runs in families, and most children grow out of it. It happens because the child makes more urine at night than the bladder can hold, has a bladder that is small or overactive, or does not wake when the bladder is full. It is not laziness, not a spiritual problem, and not something a child can stop by being punished. Many children under five are still wet at night and this is normal, but NICE advises that no child should be refused help on age alone, and an older child who is wetting deserves an assessment.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Wetting the bed during sleep, on some or most nights
- A child who has never been dry at night, or who was dry for six months or more and started wetting again
- Wetting, urgency or going very often during the day as well
- Constipation alongside the wetting
- Embarrassment, avoiding sleepovers, or being teased
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital today if a child who has started wetting is also very thirsty, passing large amounts of urine, losing weight and tired, which can be diabetes and needs a blood sugar test the same day; or has a fever with pain on passing urine and vomiting. See a doctor if a child who was dry for six months or more starts wetting again, if there is daytime wetting, pain or a weak stream, if your child is constipated or snores loudly, or if bedwetting is upsetting your child or family. Tell a doctor if you are worried a child is being harmed. A paediatrician by video can take the history, advise on treatment and arrange a urine test.
Treatment options
- Practical steps: enough to drink through the day, a toilet visit before bed, and easy access to the toilet at night
- No punishment, and no cutting down drinks through the day
- A bedwetting alarm, which wakes the child as they start to wet, as a first treatment for many children
- Desmopressin, a medicine that reduces urine made at night, prescribed by a doctor when an alarm does not suit or for short spells such as a school trip
- Treating constipation or a urine infection where present
- A specialist review for daytime symptoms, or bedwetting that does not respond
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Should I wake my child at night to pass urine?
Lifting or waking a child at night may keep the bed dry that night, but NICE says it does not help a child become dry in the long run. An alarm or medicine from a doctor does more.
Should I stop my child drinking in the evening?
Do not cut down drinks overall, because the bladder needs to fill through the day. Spread drinks across the day, avoid drinks with caffeine such as tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks, and have the child pass urine before bed.
Will my child grow out of bedwetting?
Most children do, and many become dry without treatment. Treatment helps those who are bothered by it now, and an older child should not be left to wait.
Need Help?
A children's doctor on a video call, who tells you whether your child needs to be examined in person.
See a paediatrician by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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Paediatrics in Lagos →Paediatrics in Abuja →Paediatrics in Port Harcourt →Paediatrics in Jos →Paediatrics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Bedwetting in under 19s (CG111). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Bedwetting in children. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 29 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.