Is your child frequently going to the bathroom at night? Don’t take it lightly

If a child’s bowel movements are not properly emptied, it can put pressure on the bladder. This requires careful attention to the child’s diet. Consult a pediatrician for a proper diet chart.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 3 November 2025, 6:11 PM IST

Representational Image

New Delhi: Children getting up frequently to urinate isn't always a cause for concern, as it depends on their water intake and activity. However, if it's disrupting their sleep, affecting their self-confidence, or daily activities, talk to a doctor. Let's explore the reasons why children feel the need to go to the bathroom frequently and what parents should do.

The pattern may vary depending on age:

• 1 to 3 years: Every two to three hours
• 3-5 years: About seven to nine times a day
• Children over 6 years: About six to eight times a day

These could be the causes:
Overactive bladder: In this condition, the bladder signals fullness even when it's empty. This occurs when the child hasn't received proper training. These may be symptoms:

• Feeling the urge to urinate urgently
• Producing small amounts of urine
• Waking up at night to go to the bathroom
• Fear of urinating or inability to hold urine in

Constipation
If a child's bowel movements are not properly emptied, it can put pressure on the bladder. This requires careful attention to the child's diet. Consult a pediatrician for a proper diet chart.

Urinary Tract Infection or UTI
This may cause a child to feel the urge to urinate urgently. Symptoms include:

1. Pain or burning sensation during urination
2. Urine that appears cloudy
3. Fever
4. Sudden bedwetting

Type 1 Diabetes
Feeling the urge to urinate frequently is one of the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes. This occurs because the body tries to excrete excess sugar through urine. Additionally, symptoms of Type 1 include:

• Frequent dry throat or thirst
• Sudden weight loss
• Feeling tired all the time
• Loss of appetite
• Stress can also be a factor

Children often experience stress or tension when major changes occur in their lives—such as starting school, a parent's transfer to another city, or any other family tension.

See a doctor if:

• Painful urination
• Involuntary urination during the day or night
• Blood in the urine
• Sudden changes in hunger or thirst patterns
• Insomnia due to frequent trips to the bathroom
• Frequent changes in mood or behavior
• The problem persists for 2 to 3 weeks

Parents should do this:

• Keep track of your child's bathroom habits
• Establish a bathroom schedule every two to three hours
• Avoid caffeinated drinks, soda, or citrus juices
• Give children high-fiber foods and maintain adequate water intake
• Don't scold them, but try to understand the problem