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When do children achieve bowel and bladder control?

Answered by: Dr Neelam Mohan | Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist,
Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine

Q: My son is five years old. He has no control over his bladder and bowel during the night. What is the normal age for children to have control over their bladder and bowel?

A:Usually, children (80-85% of children) have control over their bowels by the age of four years and over their bladders by five years. Your child is just five years. Give him some more time. Try the following:

Curtail his liquid (curry, tea, milk, etc.) after 7 p.m.

Make him urinate before he goes to bed.

Make him urinate again when you go to bed.