Bedwetting causes: Abnormal daytime potty habits

Children with bedwetting problems commonly have abnormal daytime restroom habits. Research is continually pointing to daytime bathroom habits as a major contributing factor to bedwetting. Studies have shown that children who wet during the day and those with constipation have a much higher incidence of bedwetting. Kids who go often during
the day (frequency) or go quickly (urgency) have also been shown to be more likely to wet at night.

Children who really need to pee during the day can tighten their bottom muscles (sphincter), squat or wiggle, and run to the restroom in order to avoid having an accident. At night, these same children cannot do this since they are asleep and they cannot consciously clench their bottom muscles or run to the restroom. If a child does not take his time and get all the urine out when he goes to the potty during the day, he will most likely not completely empty his bladder prior to going to bed. The urine left behind will cause the bladder to fill up more quickly, and while the child is sleeping, the bladder will be more likely to empty.

Children with daytime urinating problems usually also have bowel problems. This is not always obvious to a parent since mild constipation is not always easily noticed. The same bottom muscles (sphincters) are tightened when one does not want to urinate or have a bowel movement. Since it has been shown that constipation is associated with bedwetting it is only logical that daytime potty habits (both urine and bowel movements) are also likely to be associated with bedwetting.
 

– Dr. D. Preston Smith

Dr. Smith is board certified and he has authored or co-authored many articles, papers, chapters, and books in Urology and Pediatric Urology. His research has been presented throughout the world. Dr. Smith’s dedication to helping children with urologic problems inspired him to establish PottyMD.