Since every child is different, there isn’t necessarily a perfect “normal” for many milestones, as children tend to develop on their own terms. But ultimately, yes, some bedwetting is perfectly normal.
Wetting the bed, also called nocturnal enuresis, as old as age seven isn’t necessarily something to be overly concerned about. It takes most children until about age four or five to gain good control over their bladder -- and that’s during the day. Night time control takes even longer. A lack of bladder control at night causing bed wetting is not uncommon to still be present in five -- and even six or seven -- year olds. However, most experts agree age seven is about the cut off point for when to start wondering if something else might going on -- less than 5% of kids over age eight still have trouble urinating in their sleep.
Bedwetting that goes on continuously without any length of time exhibiting a lack of nocturnal enuresis is considered primary bedwetting, while secondary bedwetting refers to bedwetting that reoccurs after a period of several months without any nighttime wetness. In some cases, bedwetting can be a sign that something more serious is going on -- secondary bedwetting in particular can be indicative of underlying issues.
Additional signs to look for include painful urination or urine with a red or pink coloration, as these can be suggestive of a urinary tract infection. Additionally, bedwetting is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, especially if you notice your child snoring. Bedwetting is also an initial indicator of diabetes, particularly combined with extreme thirst, tiredness, or weight loss. Finally, f your child has very hard stool, chronic constipation may be weakening the muscles associated with urinating, causing nocturnal enuresis.
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