Dos and don'ts for preventing bathroom accidents
When you think of urology, you might think of adults with kidney stones or incontinence, but kids experience kidney, bladder, and urinary issues as well.
M Health Fairview pediatric urology experts are ready to help children of all ages with a wide range of urinary and genital health concerns, including common issues like bedwetting and rare congenital conditions.
You can start by mentioning any concerns to your child's primary care provider. They may do an initial assessment, offer some suggestions, and then refer your child to a urology specialist, if needed.
Bathroom issues are common
Daytime accidents and overnight bedwetting are common childhood issue. Behavioral, developmental, and structural factors can lead to missing the toilet.
Addressing the issues helps improve the child’s confidence and health. M Health Fairview offers a Voiding Improvement Program clinic that offers a comprehensive approach including bladder training, behavioral tips, and in some cases, imaging or pelvic floor physical therapy.
Urology experts can help. Care usually starts with a physical assessment and discussion about the concern. Then your health team will work with you to decide on the next steps for care.
Tracy Moe, ARPN CPNP, a nurse practitioner in pediatric urology, offers some tips to try at home.
Do: Encourage regular potty breaks
Encourage kids to use the bathroom every two hours, even if they say they don't have to go. Kids are masters at trying to hold it, Moe said, but that’s when accidents happen. The bladder is a muscle that needs to be exercised just like your biceps and abdominals. Emptying the bladder frequently helps keep it stretchy and the capacity large. Holding it can irritate the bladder.
Do: Address constipation
Another common toileting issue is constipation, which is difficulty pooping. When poop gets backed up, it can squish the bladder, causing urine to leak out. Encourage your kids to drink water and offer them high-fiber snacks to help with constipation.
Do: Teach kids the proper toilet position
Boys and girls should sit on the toilet with their knees higher than their hips. Place a stool in front of the toilet, so kids can keep their feet flat. They can rest elbows on the knees and lean forward with a straight spine.
Tell kids to imagine blowing a pinwheel or bubbles while they pee. This helps relax their body, including the pelvic floor to allow bladder emptying. Try to avoid hovering over public toilets because then you're clenching your body and tightening your pelvic floor, which doesn’t allow the bladder to empty.
Don’t: Start potty training too early
Around age 2 ½-3 is the ideal time to start potty training. Moe recommends waiting until your child shows an interest and has the language skills to communicate about using the toilet before starting potty training.
Do: Go potty twice before bed
Double voiding is a technique experts recommend to ensure your child’s bladder is empty. Have kids go potty as usual, but when they’re done, have them sit there for 20 to 30 seconds. Then have them relax, use good potty positioning and try going potty again. Adults who frequently make return trips to the restroom can benefit from double voiding too.
Do: Avoid bladder irritants
Caffeine, carbonation, citrus, excess dairy, and spicy foods, especially in the evening, can lead to bladder issues. Sodas and fizzy water beverages are often the culprit for adolescents and teens.
Do: Encourage sipping
Hydration is important, so keep encouraging your child to drink plenty of water and other liquids.
Don’t: Punish kids for accidents
“It's not the child's fault if they're having a lot of accidents during the day,” Moe said. “Most likely it's because they can't feel it, or they have other things going on with their bladder.
So they should never be punished.”
She does recommend having kids help clean up after an accident in an age-appropriate way, such as helping to wash and change their bed sheets.
All about pediatric urology
We’re making pediatric urology care more accessible with locations in Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Burnsville, Woodbury, and the Discovery Clinic at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.
The multidisciplinary team includes physical therapists and integrative health experts, who can use techniques like acupuncture and hypnosis.
How can urology help?
Pediatric urology experts treat a range of conditions, including:
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Daytime urinary accidents and bedwetting.
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Undescended testicles, which affect up to 5% of boys.
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Hypospadias and other penile anomalies.
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Spina bifida-related bladder issues.
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Prune belly syndrome and other congenital issues.
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Kidney stones. Help prevent painful kidney stones by encouraging your child to drink plenty of water and avoid salty snacks.
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Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The team also performs circumcisions weekly in Maple Grove.
