National Bedwetting Day: Understanding Why Kids and Teens Wet the Bed — And How Help Is Available
- Fundamental Physical Therapy
- May 12
- 4 min read
May 26 is recognized as World Bedwetting Day, a time to raise awareness about nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) and reduce the shame many children and families feel around it. Bedwetting is far more common than most people realize — and importantly, it is not a child’s fault.
For many families, bedwetting affects sleep, confidence, social activities, and emotional well-being. Kids may avoid sleepovers, camps, or overnight trips because they are embarrassed. Parents may feel frustrated or unsure where to turn for answers. The good news: bedwetting in kids is treatable and understanding the “why” behind it is the first step.
How Common Is Bedwetting in Kids?
Bedwetting affects millions of children and teens each year.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Kidney Foundation:
About 20% of children still wet the bed at age 5
Around 10% continue at age 7
Even in the teen years, approximately 1–3% still experience bedwetting
Bedwetting is more common in boys than girls
While some children do outgrow bedwetting with time, persistent bedwetting often has underlying contributors that deserve attention rather than a “wait and see” approach.
Common Myths About Bedwetting
Myth #1: “They’ll grow out of it.”
Some children do naturally improve with age, but not all do. Persistent bedwetting can continue into adolescence if contributing factors are not addressed. Waiting alone may prolong frustration, sleep disruption, and emotional stress for the child.
Myth #2: “Bedwetting is behavioral or laziness.”
Bedwetting is not a behavior problem. Children are not choosing to wet the bed. Nocturnal enuresis is typically related to bladder function, bowel health, sleep patterns, nervous system regulation, genetics, or airway issues — not poor motivation or discipline. Punishment and shame are not effective and can worsen anxiety and self-esteem.
Myth #3: “They just sleep too deeply.”
Deep sleep alone does not fully explain bedwetting. While some children may have difficulty waking to bladder signals, a healthy nervous system will wake you up at night if the bladder needs to empty. Research suggests many children who wet the bed have multiple contributing factors, including constipation, bladder dysfunction, airway or sleep-disordered breathing issues, and nervous system regulation differences.
Myth #4: “Bedwetting is always caused by trauma.”
Stressful life events can contribute to secondary bedwetting in some children, but most bedwetting is not caused by trauma. Assuming trauma is the cause can overlook important physical contributors that may be treatable.
The Overlooked Link Between Constipation and Bedwetting
One of the biggest contributors to pediatric bedwetting is constipation.
When stool builds up in the rectum, it can place pressure on the bladder, reduce bladder capacity, and interfere with normal bladder signaling. Research has shown a strong association between constipation and nocturnal enuresis in children.
Many children with constipation do not complain of stomach pain and may still have bowel movements daily, making constipation easy to miss. Signs can include:
Large stools
Skid marks in underwear
Painful bowel movements
Straining
Frequent urination
Urgency
Daytime accidents
Bedwetting
Addressing bowel health is often a critical first step in improving nighttime dryness.
Family History Matters
Bedwetting frequently runs in families. If one parent wet the bed as a child, their child has an increased likelihood of bedwetting. If both parents experienced bedwetting, the likelihood increases even more.
This is important because it reinforces that bedwetting is often developmental and physiologic — not a behavior issue.
Mouth Breathing, Snoring, and Bedwetting
Emerging research also points to connections between bedwetting and sleep-disordered breathing, including mouth breathing, snoring, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Children who consistently mouth breathe or snore may not be getting restorative sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing can impact hormone regulation, nervous system function, and bladder signaling during sleep.
Parents should consider discussing airway concerns with their pediatrician if their child has:
Chronic mouth breathing
Snoring
Restless sleep
Teeth grinding
Dark circles under the eyes
Daytime fatigue
Bedwetting
How Pediatric Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy takes a whole-body approach to bladder and bowel health. Treatment is non-invasive, child-friendly, and focused on education and improving body awareness.
At Fundamental Physical Therapy, pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy may help children and teens by addressing:
Constipation Management
Improving bowel routines, positioning, hydration, fiber intake, and coordination to reduce pressure on the bladder.
Healthy Bladder Habits
Teaching timed voiding, proper bladder emptying, fluid habits, and strategies to improve bladder signaling.
Pelvic Floor Awareness and Coordination
Helping children learn how to properly relax and coordinate the pelvic floor muscles during urination and bowel movements.
Diet and Bladder Irritants
Educating families about foods and drinks that may irritate the bladder, including caffeine, carbonation, artificial dyes, and acidic beverages.
Nervous System Regulation
Addressing stress, breathing patterns, and body awareness that may influence bladder and bowel function.
Collaboration With Your Care Team
Pelvic floor physical therapists often work alongside pediatricians, gastroenterologists, urologists, ENTs, orthodontists, and sleep specialists when needed.
When Should Parents Seek Help?
It may be time to seek further evaluation if your child:
Is older than 5 and regularly wets the bed
Has daytime accidents
Struggles with constipation
Snores or mouth breathes
Suddenly starts bedwetting again after being dry
Avoids social activities because of embarrassment
Seems anxious or frustrated about accidents
Early intervention can improve confidence, sleep quality, bowel and bladder health, and overall quality of life.
Bedwetting Is Common — and Treatable
World Bedwetting Day is an important reminder that children who wet the bed deserve support, not shame. Bedwetting is often connected to real physical factors including constipation, bladder habits, sleep quality, airway function, and pelvic floor coordination.
With the right support and evaluation, many children and teens can make significant improvements.
If your child is struggling with bedwetting, constipation, urinary urgency, or pelvic floor concerns, Fundamental Physical Therapy in Huntersville, North Carolina offers specialized pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy services to help families find answers and create individualized treatment plans.
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