Pediatric bladder and bowel dysfunction: We help make going to the bathroom easier

Bladder and bowel dysfunction refers to problems kids have going to the bathroom. These issues include having accidents or not being able to go when they need, leading to daytime wetting accidents, needing to go to the bathroom frequently and constipation. Bladder and bowel dysfunction can cause stress and anxiety for children and their families. It can be especially hard when school-aged children have accidents at school.

Recently, problems going to the bathroom have become more common in children. These problems are often caused by the following:

• Children waiting longer between bathroom breaks, so they don’t go when they feel the need. This delay can stem from less structured bathroom routines. Frequent use of phones or tablets or playing video games can distract kids, so they wait longer between bathroom breaks.

• Changes in diaper technology keep children drier and more comfortable, but less aware when they’ve gone to the bathroom. Cloth diapers felt wet and required immediate changing, making kids more aware of their bathroom habits.

• More processed food in a child’s diet can affect bathroom habits, such as causing constipation.

Many of these habits can physically affect bladder and bowel nerves and muscles, which can lead to long-term problems with going to the bathroom.

Help your child build healthy bathroom habits with support from expert health care providers at UW Health.

Symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction can vary for every child. The most common symptoms include:

• Accidents at school or during the day

• Needing to get to the bathroom frequently or urgently

• Not being able to go to the bathroom at all

Though bladder and bowel dysfunction has become more common, it’s highly treatable. There are several ways you can help your child get their bathroom habits on the right track from the comfort of your home. And the UW Health Kids experts can answer any questions you may have about helping manage your child’s bathroom habits.

If your child is experiencing serious problems going to the bathroom, learn more about the medical treatments we provide.

The most common ways to treat bladder and bowel dysfunction include:

Convenient care at UW Health can help you and your child address their bladder and bowel dysfunction.