Frequent Daytime Urination

Important information:

Although frustrating to children and families, urinary frequency is a harmless condition that resolves on its own. It generally occurs in previously toilet-trained children between 4 to 5 years old. Children with frequent daytime urination use the bathroom as often as every 10 to 30 minutes, or 30 to 40 times per day, voiding only small amounts of urine. Overnight, they can sleep without waking to use the bathroom. With time and patience, urinary frequency will resolve on its own. 

Symptoms

• Sudden need to urinate every 10 to 30 minutes

• Small amounts of urine are passed each time

• No pain with urination

• No wetting during the day

• Your child does not drink excessive fluids

• The frequency is not a problem overnight 

We rarely know what causes a child to have urinary frequency. However, it can sometimes be a sign of tension or worry in a child’s life. Some obvious stressors include a death or illness in the family, the birth of a new sibling, or tension in the household. Less obvious stressors include a move to a new house, a change in school, or other general worries. What may be a minor change to a parent can be a major adjustment or stressor to a child. 

It is rare to have a physical reason for urinary frequency. Children with this issue usually have a normal physical exam, a normal urinalysis, and a normal renal bladder ultrasound.

Instructions to help with frequent daytime urination:

Reassurance is key!

• Reassure your child that they are physically healthy. Attention to excessive urination by the family or providers may lead your child to believe something is wrong with their body.

• Reassure your child that they will be able to wait longer to urinate. Your child may be afraid that if they wait to urinate, they will have an accident. Reassure your child that if they wait, they will not wet themself, and over time they will return to their normal voiding routine.

• If stressors are identified, discuss them with your child. Talk with family members and school about what stressful event may have occurred to lead to the frequency. Urinary frequency is often resolved after counseling, or a solution is created for the problem.

• Help your child to relax. Make sure your child isn’t overwhelmed with activities. Allow for ‘free time’ during the day.

• Ignore the frequency. Drawing attention to the frequent bathroom trips can make it worse. 

• Allow your child open access to the bathroom. Make sure that your child’s teachers and school nurse are aware and allow your child to use the bathroom when needed

• Urinary frequency usually resolves without treatment in 3-4 months. It is possible for it to return, especially in the first year. 

Reviewed January 2024 by Jennifer Kirk, CRNP