There are a number of factors that contribute toward children’s bedwetting. Some children who wet the bed release less vasopressin at night – a hormone that reduces the amount of urine produced. These children produce more urine and are more prone to bedwetting. I am not aware of a direct link between serotonin and the production of vasopressin although this is beyond my area of expertise so I would recommend that you raise this with your daughter’s pediatrician who may have more insight into the possible connection. Another common factor in children with bedwetting is a small functional bladder capacity. These children have less forewarning of the need to urinate and feel more urgency. Some of these children may also exhibit daytime symptoms like your daughter. Some of these children will stop wetting on their own as their body matures and their bladder capacity increases, others will benefit from more formal treatments such as a bedwetting alarm. Treatment is typically not recommended until your child is around 6 or 7-years of age – although you will know best when she is ready. In the meantime it is fine to use disposable pants like DryNites to help manage her bedwetting. Encourage her to drink plenty of water at regular intervals throughout the day – this will help her bladder become accustomed to storing more urine. Stop any ‘just in case’ visits to the toilet, although do not make her hold on as this can lead to daytime accidents. All the best!

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