Control over bladder develops gradually in developing children. Find out more about the development of bladder control in children.It is more difficult for a child to control her bladder than her
bowels. The development of bladder control occurs when your child's bladder can hold more than a few ounces of urine without spontaneously emptying itself. Getting through the night with a dry diaper is the ultimate step in bladder control and toilet training.
When does the development of bladder control occur?
The first sign of bladder control is when your baby's diaper remains dry after a reasonable amount of time has elapsed. Your child will soon be able to go through her nap with a dry diaper. Once she is capable of warning you that she wants to go to the potty, you can stop making her wear diapers completely. Be prepared for accidents and do not scold her when they happen. It is not her fault.
When do I know she is completely toilet trained?
It is more difficult for a child to control her bladder than her bowels.
Signs of an imminent bowel movement are also easier for parents to spot than signs of urination. Once the child has control over her bladder, she is reaching the point of being completely toilet trained. A two and a half year old child often finds it difficult to hold urine for more than four to five hours. Getting through the night with a dry diaper is the ultimate step in bladder control and toilet training.
How to help children develop bladder control?
Just as you have developed a routine for your child for doing different activities, you must develop a routine for developing bladder control as well. When your child wakes up, take her to the toilet so that she can empty her bladder. Take your child to the toilet after regular intervals so that she gets used to the concept for using toilet for emptying the bladder when it is full.
You can fix certain times throughout the day when you can take your child to the toilet for emptying the bladder. For example, you can take her to the toilet after her meals, after her naps, before going to bed etc. In between 3 or 4 hours you can ask her if she wants to empty her bladder. In this way she will be encouraged to tell you when she feels like emptying her bladder.
When your child starts telling you that she wants to use toilet do not forget to praise her. During this phase she may also accidently pass urine in her pants but do not get angry at her. Instead provide positive
encouragement to use toilet.
When do children learn night-time bladder control?
Gradually, your child will learn to empty her bladder in the toilet during the day-time but she may require some more time to develop the bladder control at night. Ideally by the age of 3 children learn to use toilet but some children may take even longer. However, if your child is still unable to control her bladder movements during day-time, you must consult a doctor. But as mentioned earlier, children between ages of 3 to 4 years may develop proper control over their bladder during day-time and may require some more time for developing control at night.
Night-time bladder control will also develop very soon by the time your turns 5 or even earlier than that. In case if a child is not able to develop night-time bladder control even after turning five, then it is a must to consult your doctor. If you have any concerns related to bladder control of your child, you must discuss it with your doctor without any hesitation.
