Dr. Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, FAAP

Dear Dr. Gwenn,

My daughter is seven years old, and she still urinates during the night while sleeping. Could you please advise me what to do?

Signed,
Astrite

Dear Astrite:

The situation you describe is called "nocturnal enuresis" which means a child who is not dry at night. It is not at all uncommon for some kids to not be dry at night until their early teens, although most are dry at night well before then. Assuming your daughter is dry during the day and can control when she urinates, this is likely the case.

Sometimes there is little you can do - this is very much developmental and out of your daugther's control since she is sleeping. You can try limiting her fluids after school and near bedtime. Also wake her before you go to bed and have her try to go - sometimes that 11 pm trip to the bathroom does the trick.

There are medications your daughter can use to stay dry at night for sleepovers, etc. However, before you cross that bridge, talk to your pediatrician to make sure this is as simple as you described.

Another resource you may find helpful:

Bedwetting

Best,
Dr. Gwenn

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About the Author
Pediatrician, Dr. Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Gwenn is an experienced columnist, educator, and practicing pediatrician. Dr. Gwenn strives to write as if she were talking to a parent. As a parent herself, she knows how important it is to obtain information but also understand how precious little time parents have to find that information on the internet. Pediatrics Now was developed to fill that gap and provide a bridge between the parenting and pediatrics worlds.

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