Bedwetting (enuresis) that occurs in childhood is usually primary enuresis. These children never developed nocturnal (nighttime) bladder control and have wet the bed since infancy. Most have at least one parent who also wet the bed as a child. In most cases, the child will stop wetting the bed at around the same age that the parent developed nocturnal bladder control.

Bedwetting becomes increasingly less common with age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that bedwetting occurs in 20 percent of 5-year-olds, 10 percent of 6-year-olds and 3 percent of 12-year-olds.

School-aged children are often very embarrassed by their bedwetting. They may avoid sleepovers with friends and may not want to attend a summer camp. They do not want their friends to find out about their problem. However, these childhood outings can still be enjoyed with proper preparation. Parents can speak privately with camp counselors about their child’s enuresis. Most counselors understand the problem and can provide needed support and assistance. Trying to stay awake all night does not help and can be bad for the child’s health. It is important to bring extra clothes and underpants in case an accident occurs. In addition, new commercial products are available that resemble underpants and are absorbent and disposable.

The vast majority of adolescents no longer wet the bed. According to the National Kidney Foundation, only 1 to 2 percent of adolescents age 15 or older still have problems with bedwetting. The AAP reports than only 1 percent of the population continues to wet the bed into adulthood.