Bedwetting in Children: Guidance for Grand Rapids, MI Families

It takes time for a child to learn the connection between feeling the urge to urinate and actually going to the bathroom. Once a child understands that urinating is under their control, toilet training usually progresses quickly.

For many West Michigan families, however, nighttime dryness takes longer—and bedwetting can become a source of stress for both children and parents.

Bedwetting Is Very Common

Bedwetting (also called nocturnal enuresis) is one of the most common childhood concerns seen in pediatric clinics across Grand Rapids, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

  • About 1 in 5 preschoolers still wet the bed.
  • Around 5% of children under 10 years old continue to have nighttime accidents.
  • A small number of teenagers and even adults may also experience bedwetting.

Bedwetting is:

  • Not a disease
  • Not a sign of laziness or naughtiness
  • Not usually a psychological problem or an allergy response

Some children simply develop nighttime bladder control later than others. In most cases, they eventually outgrow it.

Why Bedwetting Happens

At night, a bedwetting child may sleep so deeply that they don’t wake up when their bladder is full. The bladder muscles relax, but the brain doesn’t respond to the “full bladder” signal.

Common factors can include:

  • Deep sleep patterns – the child doesn’t wake to the urge.
  • Small bladder capacity – their bladder fills quickly.
  • Family history – bedwetting often runs in families.
  • Slower nervous system development – the brain–bladder connection is still maturing.
  • In some cases, stress or emotional changes – especially when bedwetting starts again after a dry period.

In Grand Rapids, changes like starting a new school, moving neighborhoods, or family stress can all contribute to temporary setbacks.

Emotional Impact on Children

Children in Grand Rapids—just like anywhere else—may feel:

  • Embarrassed or ashamed
  • Worried about sleepovers, school camps, or church retreats
  • Afraid friends or siblings will find out

Being patient and supportive is essential. Punishing or shaming a child for bedwetting will not help and can make the problem worse.

How Grand Rapids Parents Can Help at Home

Stay Calm, Patient, and Supportive

  • Do not punish, yell, or shame. Bedwetting is not under your child’s conscious control.
  • Reassure your child that many kids in West Michigan have the same issue and that most grow out of it.
  • Let them know they can always talk to you about their worries.

Use Mattress Protection and Simple Routines

Protecting the bed makes cleanup easier and reduces stress:

  • Use a waterproof mattress cover or protector.
  • Keep extra pajamas and sheets handy for quick nighttime changes.
  • Involve your child in remaking the bed to build responsibility—without blame.

Encourage Healthy Bathroom Habits

  • Encourage your child to use the bathroom regularly during the day and right before bed.
  • Avoid large amounts of fluid (especially sugary drinks or caffeine) in the hour or two before bedtime.
  • Do not severely restrict all fluids—children still need to stay hydrated, especially in warmer months in Grand Rapids.

Don’t Wake Your Child to Use the Bathroom

Routinely waking a sleeping child to take them to the bathroom usually doesn’t help them learn to stay dry on their own. The goal is for the child to wake up naturally when their bladder is full.

Protect Your Child’s Privacy

  • Avoid talking about your child’s bedwetting in front of others, including siblings, friends, or extended family.
  • Do not joke about it or use it as a “story” at gatherings or events.

Bedwetting Alarms (Pad and Bell Method)

One of the most effective treatments for ongoing bedwetting is a bedwetting alarm, sometimes called the “pad and bell” method. Pediatricians in Grand Rapids and the Kent County Health Department often recommend this approach.

How it works:

  • A moisture sensor is placed in the child’s underwear or on a pad on the bed.
  • When the sensor detects wetness, an alarm (bell, vibration, or sound) goes off.
  • The alarm wakes the child (and often a parent), who then goes to the bathroom to finish urinating.

Over several weeks:

  • The child starts to recognize the feeling of a full bladder.
  • The brain learns to wake the child before urination.
  • Many children gradually become consistently dry at night.

Important:

  • It is best to use a bedwetting alarm under the guidance of a doctor or pediatric continence clinic.
  • Parents may need to help wake the child at first, especially if they are deep sleepers (common in many kids).

Medication for Bedwetting

Most children in Grand Rapids do not need medication for bedwetting and will improve with time and behavioral strategies.

However, in some situations—such as sleepovers, camps, or when other methods haven’t helped—your child’s Grand Rapids pediatrician or family doctor may suggest medication.

Desmopressin (Nasal Spray or Tablets)

Desmopressin is a medicine that reduces the amount of urine the body makes at night.

  • Usually taken before bedtime.
  • Helps some children stay dry through the night.
  • Works best as a short-term solution or alongside other methods like alarms.

Safety tips:

  • Your child should not drink large amounts of fluid in the evening and especially not after taking desmopressin.
  • Always follow the dosing instructions from your Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

Older medications once used for bedwetting are now rarely prescribed because of side effects and lack of long-term benefit.

When Bedwetting Starts Again After a Dry Period

If a child who has been dry at night for months suddenly starts wetting the bed again, this is called secondary bedwetting. In Grand Rapids, this is a common reason for parents to call their pediatrician.

Possible triggers include:

  • Stressful life events, such as:
    • Divorce or separation
    • Death of a family member or pet
    • Birth of a new baby
    • Changing schools or moving homes
  • Medical issues, such as:
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Constipation
    • Sleep problems

What Parents Can Do

  • Gently ask your child if anything is worrying them—school, friends, family, or activities.
  • Create a calm, predictable bedtime routine.
  • Avoid blaming or punishing; reassure them that this is something you will work through together.
  • If bedwetting continues, make an appointment with your Grand Rapids pediatrician or family doctor to rule out medical causes.

Local Grand Rapids and Kent County Resources

If bedwetting is causing distress for your child or family, or if it persists beyond age 7–8, consider reaching out to local healthcare resources:

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
    • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and many independent practices across Kent County.
  • Pediatric urology or pediatric continence clinics
    • Often available through major hospital systems in Grand Rapids.
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Can help connect families with pediatric and behavioral health resources.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • May offer parent education, support, and referrals.
  • School counselors or social workers
    • Can provide emotional support and help address school-related stress.

If you’re unsure where to start, calling your child’s primary care office is usually the best first step. They can help determine whether home strategies, an alarm, or further evaluation is appropriate.

Seasonal and Local Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in West Michigan can influence children’s routines and health:

  • Cold winters and long nights may lead to:
    • Less physical activity
    • More time indoors and changes in sleep patterns
  • Busy school and sports schedules in the Grand Rapids area can:
    • Impact bedtime routines
    • Increase stress or fatigue

Maintaining a consistent bedtime, limiting evening screen time, and encouraging regular bathroom use throughout the day can all support better nighttime bladder control.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Schedule an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider if:

  • Your child is 7 years or older and still wets the bed most nights.
  • Bedwetting starts suddenly after a long dry period.
  • Your child also has:
    • Pain or burning with urination
    • Daytime accidents
    • Excessive thirst or weight loss
    • Snoring, restless sleep, or breathing pauses at night
  • Bedwetting is causing significant emotional distress for your child.

Early evaluation can rule out medical conditions and help you access effective treatments available in Grand Rapids.

Key Points for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Bedwetting is a very common and usually temporary condition.
  • It is not caused by laziness or bad behavior—punishment does not help.
  • Being patient, calm, and supportive is one of the most important things you can do.
  • Bedwetting alarms, healthy routines, and, in some cases, medication can help.
  • If bedwetting persists or starts again after a dry period, talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider to explore causes and treatment options.

By working with your child, staying positive, and using the many pediatric resources available in Grand Rapids and Kent County, most families see steady improvement and, eventually, dry nights.