Daytime wetting is less common than night time wetting. This is more likely than  night time wetting to develop after  child has had bladder control for more than 6 months to a year.

Causes of daytime wetting

Daytime wetting is usually related to a medical condition such as infection or defect of the urinary tract or emotional stress. Treating the underlying condition usually resolves the problem. However it could also be part of normal development with no medical cause.

If daytime wetting occurs after a child has had consistent bladder control , it could possibly be due to stress such as the birth of a new siblings. It usually stops after the stress is addressed.

It is common in younger children.  Daytime wetting can occur when children :

•  are too involved in play , they forget to urinate
• hold in urine
• do not empty their bladder when they first wake up
• do not empty their bladder completely when they visit the bathroom

Effect of daytime wetting on children

This can affect a child’s performance in school or her  friendships.  The child may be afraid of having an accident in public or being teased by friends. It is important to treat this condition so that the child can have a normal life and regain her self esteem.

When you should call a doctor for accidental wetting

Call your doctor if your child shows signs of bladder infection such as

• urinating often more than usual
• painful urinating
• cloudy or pink urine or bloodstains on underclothes
• urge to  urinate frequently but urinating just a little bit
• the child is leaking (dribbling) when urinating or has a weak urine stream.
• your child had bladder control but is wetting again.
• your child age 4 years or older is having daytime accidental wetting and is leaking stool.