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Bedwetting

Bedwetting is very common, it is never a child’s fault, and most children outgrow it. Patience, simple routines and — when a family is ready — a bedwetting alarm or medicine from the doctor can help.

Call your child’s doctor if bedwetting comes with any of these:

Being very thirsty and peeing a lot can be signs of diabetes — don’t wait. Common signs of type 1 diabetes in children are peeing more often, feeling very thirsty, and eating more but losing weight; in children these usually come on quickly, over days or weeks (NIDDK). New bedwetting in a child who was dry at night can be one of the first signs (MedlinePlus). Call the doctor promptly. Fruity-smelling breath, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting or extreme tiredness can mean diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency that needs treatment right away (NIDDK) — call the doctor or go to the emergency room (MedlinePlus).

What is bedwetting?

Bedwetting — doctors call it nocturnal enuresis — means wetting the bed at night past about age 5 (AAP). Children learn bladder control in their own time, usually between ages 2 and 4 (NIDDK), and staying dry at night usually comes after staying dry during the day (NIDDK). There are two kinds:

How common is it?

Very common. Nighttime wetting happens more often than daytime wetting (NIDDK). NIDDK’s figures:

Bedwetting is 2 to 3 times more common in boys than girls (AAP), and it often stops on its own as children grow, without formal treatment (NIDDK).

Why does it happen?

Children almost never wet the bed on purpose, and most children who do are physically and emotionally healthy. Often there is more than one reason (NIDDK). Wetting is almost never caused by laziness, stubbornness or poor toilet training (NIDDK).

It’s not your child’s fault

Bedwetting is not your child’s fault or under their control, so family and friends shouldn’t shame or punish them (AAP). Punishment and ignoring the problem don’t help (MedlinePlus), and taking away rewards, shaming and penalties don’t work (NIDDK). Wetting can still leave a child embarrassed, anxious or low in self-esteem, and can make sleepovers and camp feel out of reach (AAP) — which is why patience and encouragement matter so much (NIDDK).

Teens and adults

By the late teens, about 1% to 3% still wet the bed. Wetting that starts again in an older child or teen should be checked by a doctor, since it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, another health problem, a nerve problem or stress, and anyone still wetting in the late teens should be seen (AAP). About 1 in 50 young adults has bedwetting; most can get it under control with treatment, and seeing a bedwetting specialist is worthwhile even if earlier treatment didn’t work (National Kidney Foundation). In adults, causes include urinary tract infection and sleep apnea, and the most common is overactive bladder; a USC urologist urges anyone bothered by it to see a doctor (Keck Medicine of USC).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Reassurance and time, a check-up with a urine test, treating constipation or other causes, simple routines and rewards for effort, then a bedwetting alarm or a prescription medicine (desmopressin) if needed. Bedwetting alarms are bought without a prescription; the National Kidney Foundation suggests looking for one under about $100. Under CHIP, well-child visits are free. Uninsured visit and medicine prices: cost estimate being researched. Most children outgrow bedwetting. Alarms work for many families and the effect tends to last; desmopressin works faster but wetting often returns when it stops.
Chiropractic Spinal adjustments, offered by some chiropractors for bedwetting. About $50–$200 a visit without insurance; first consultations about $100–$250. Evidence is very weak: one small trial in a Cochrane review, and a later review rated the evidence very low quality. Serious problems are rare but possible.
Acupuncture Needle, laser or heat-based (moxibustion) acupuncture point treatments. About $125–$230 for a first private visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Small, mostly low- or very-low-quality studies suggest possible benefit; results may be overstated. Not a replacement for proven care.
Herbal medicine No herbal remedy has been proven to stop bedwetting. Cost estimate being researched. Only one small trial supports a herbal mix. Supplements can be risky for children — talk with the doctor first and beware of products promising a “cure.”
Massage therapy Being researched — coming soon.
MBHA Wellness Coach Family routines: regular daytime bathroom trips, drinks earlier in the day, no caffeine, bathroom before bed, easy clean-up, praise for effort, sleepover plans and emotional support. Cost estimate being researched. Good habits may mean more dry nights and a calmer, more confident child. They support — but don’t replace — a check-up when warning signs appear.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Bedwetting is not a serious health problem, and children usually outgrow it (AAP). Your doctor can check for any medical cause and suggest treatment — or reassure you that your child is developing normally (NIDDK). Teamwork among you, your child and the doctor matters (NIDDK), and children who take an active part in treatment have a better chance of success (AAP).

1. The check-up

The doctor will ask about wetting, dry spells, daytime bathroom habits, bowel movements, sleep, family history and any recent stress, then do a physical exam and a simple urine test (AAP). In most children the urine test is normal, and X-rays usually aren’t needed (AAP). Before the visit, it helps to keep a bladder diary of bathroom trips, leaks, drinks (including before bed) and bowel movements (NIDDK). Imaging or bladder-function tests are needed only in a few cases (NIDDK), and if needed your pediatrician can refer you to a pediatric urologist, a doctor trained in children’s urinary problems (AAP).

2. Treating what’s underneath

When a health condition such as diabetes or a urinary tract problem causes the wetting, treating it usually stops the wetting (NIDDK). Treating constipation is often the first step (AAP). If a child wets during the day too, the doctor will usually treat daytime wetting first (NIDDK). If stress is behind it, managing the stress comes first (AAP), and a counselor or psychologist can help with anxiety (NIDDK).

3. Routines and rewards for effort

Treatment usually starts with motivation and habits: you and your child agree on a plan, track it (for example with a sticker calendar) and reward the effort — using the bathroom before bed, helping change the sheets — rather than only dry nights, because a child often can’t control wetting. Many children become dry this way and many more have fewer wet nights. If nothing changes after 3 to 6 months, ask about other treatments (NIDDK). See the Wellness Coach section below for everyday routines.

4. Bedwetting alarms

A moisture alarm senses the first drops of urine and buzzes or vibrates to wake your child. At first a parent usually has to help the child wake up and get to the bathroom; over time the child learns to wake to a full bladder. Families need to use it regularly for about 3 to 4 months, with signs of progress — smaller wet spots, fewer alarms — usually in the first few weeks (NIDDK). The AAP notes that about half of children who use an alarm properly stay dry at night after a few weeks (AAP).

What the research says: a 2020 Cochrane review of 74 trials (5,983 children) found that alarms may work better than no treatment, though the evidence was low quality. It was uncertain whether alarms work better than desmopressin, but alarms probably cause fewer side effects, and probably slightly more children stay dry after treatment ends. Reported problems included the alarm not waking the child, false alarms, waking others and discomfort (Cochrane review, 2020).

5. Medicine — desmopressin

Doctors may suggest medicine when other treatments haven’t worked well. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is often the first choice: it reduces the amount of urine the body makes overnight. It can work well, but wetting often returns when it is stopped. It can be used for short periods such as sleepovers and camp, or long-term (NIDDK, MedlinePlus). The AAP says it improves bedwetting in about 40% to 60% of children (AAP). A 2025 Cochrane review of 95 studies found it may increase dry nights compared with a placebo and may work about as well as an alarm by the end of treatment — but the alarm may leave more children dry afterwards. Most of the evidence was low or very low quality (Cochrane review, 2025). Some parents find an alarm plus medicine works best (MedlinePlus). Your child’s doctor decides whether medicine fits and the dose; we don’t list doses here.

FDA safety warning: low blood sodium. Desmopressin can cause hyponatremia — a drop in the body’s sodium that, unless diagnosed and treated, can be fatal. Watch for headache, nausea or vomiting, restlessness, tiredness, irritability, confusion, muscle cramps or weakness; severe cases can cause seizures. Children are at higher risk, so limiting drinks as the doctor instructs is especially important (FDA-approved label). The AAP also stresses not drinking after a dose (AAP).

The nasal spray is not approved for bedwetting. After a safety review found more reports of hyponatremia in children using desmopressin nasal sprays, the FDA removed bedwetting as an approved use for all of them; the tablets kept it, with a stronger warning (FDA review). Current nasal-spray labeling says the spray is not for bedwetting because of a higher risk of hyponatremia and seizures than with tablets (FDA-approved label).

One other approved medicine, imipramine, carries a risk of overdose, so parents must strictly control it, and a heart test (EKG) is recommended first (AAP). Keep every medicine out of children’s reach.

What it costs

  • Bedwetting alarms are small and can be bought without a prescription (MedlinePlus). The National Kidney Foundation’s buying advice is to look for one that costs less than about $100, and notes that extras such as a vibrate setting, a parent remote or a wireless bed mat may add to the price (National Kidney Foundation).
  • Children’s coverage: the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers free or low-cost coverage that includes doctor visits, lab tests and prescriptions. Routine well-child visits are free; other services may have a copay, and families never pay more than 5% of yearly income. Each state sets its own rules (HealthCare.gov).
  • Office visits and prescription medicines without insurance: cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Treatment doesn’t always stop bedwetting completely and setbacks are likely, but it can greatly reduce wet nights. Both parent and child need to be on board (NIDDK). Don’t be discouraged if one treatment doesn’t work — some children do best with a combination (AAP).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Some chiropractors offer spinal adjustments for bedwetting. The research is very thin, so we can’t say it works.

What the research says

  • A 2011 Cochrane review of complementary treatments for bedwetting found one small trial in which real chiropractic adjustment did better than a sham (fake) adjustment. The reviewers called this weak evidence that needs to be confirmed in better trials (Cochrane review, 2011).
  • A 2019 systematic review of spinal manual therapy in children rated the evidence as very low quality; it is uncertain whether high-velocity spinal manipulation reduces bedwetting (Driehuis et al., 2019).

Safety

Spinal manipulation is associated with rare but serious complications in children (NCCIH). The 2019 review found gentle, low-velocity mobilization seemed safe for children, while case reports described severe harms after high-velocity manipulation in four infants and one child (Driehuis et al., 2019). In general, mild soreness or stiffness after manipulation is common and usually fades within a day (NCCIH). Make sure your child has a diagnosis from a licensed medical provider first, and don’t delay proven care (NCCIH).

What it costs

A cost guide puts chiropractic visits at about $50–$200 without insurance, with first consultations about $100–$250 (MedicalCostInfo).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for bedwetting has been studied mostly in small trials, and the quality is generally low.

What the research says

  • A 2011 Cochrane review found one trial in which acupuncture did better than sham acupuncture. The reviewers judged the support weak, since it came from a single small trial (Cochrane review, 2011).
  • A 2015 review of 21 trials (1,590 children) found acupuncture worked better than placebo or medicine, but the studies were low quality and the authors warned the benefit might be overstated (Lv et al., 2015).
  • A 2022 review of 13 trials (890 children) found more children improved with moxibustion (heat), acupoint injection or laser acupuncture than with comparison treatments — but rated the evidence very low quality, and comparisons of laser acupuncture with desmopressin were inconclusive (Kannan & Bello, 2022).

If your family wants to try it, use it alongside — not instead of — a check-up and proven steps such as an alarm (NCCIH).

Safety

Relatively few complications have been reported, but improper treatment can cause serious harm, such as infections. The FDA requires needles to be sterile and single-use, and most states license acupuncturists (NCCIH). Ask about experience treating children.

What it costs

Private sessions run about $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics charge about $50–$90 (The Pricer).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

No herbal remedy has been proven to stop bedwetting. In the 2011 Cochrane review, a medicinal herb mixture did better than desmopressin in one small trial — but the reviewers called the evidence weak and said better trials are needed (Cochrane review, 2011). We don’t list doses or products.

Be careful with supplements for children

  • “Natural” doesn’t mean safe. Supplements are regulated less strictly than medicines, may contain contaminants, and may not match their labels. Many haven’t been tested in children, and they can interact with medicines (NCCIH).
  • Children’s small size and developing organs make them more likely than adults to have reactions to supplements (NCCIH).
  • Child-resistant packaging isn’t required, and about 4,600 children a year go to the emergency room because of supplements — store them out of reach (NCCIH).

Beware of “cures.” Many programs and products claim to cure bedwetting; many make false promises and can be expensive. Talk with your child’s doctor before starting any treatment (AAP), and tell every provider about any herb or supplement your child takes (NCCIH).

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help your family build calm, practical routines, keep a simple diary, and stay patient while your child grows out of bedwetting. These habits support — but don’t replace — a check-up, especially if any warning signs appear.

Daytime and bedtime habits

Protective bedding and easy clean-up

Praise effort, not dry nights

Reward your child for following the plan — not just for waking up dry — because a child often can’t control wetting (NIDDK). A sticker calendar or diary of wet and dry nights also gives the doctor useful clues (MedlinePlus). If you use an alarm, reward sticking with the alarm routine (National Kidney Foundation).

Sleepovers and camp

Disposable underpants worn under boxer shorts can help; talk with your child about asking the host parent or camp counselor for private help if needed (AAP). Some families ask the doctor about medicine for these nights (NIDDK).

Emotional support

  • Tell your child that bedwetting is very common and most children outgrow it. From about age 4, ask for their ideas on managing it — it gives them a sense of control (NIDDK).
  • Set a no-teasing rule for the whole family, especially siblings. If you don’t make a big issue of it, your child probably won’t either (AAP).
  • Ease stresses such as a new baby or a new school (NIDDK). If worry or bad dreams are part of the picture, see our Bad Dreams guide.

Still being researched: Massage therapy. We add each approach once its costs and results are sourced. Are you a practitioner with experience treating Bedwetting? Tell us.

Member stories

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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