Daytime wetting is when a child cannot control their bladder and leaks urine while they are awake. Accidents can happen from time to time in the early years; however, if your child is over five years old and is regularly wetting during the day, speak to your family doctor. 

See the Daytime wetting factsheet for more information.

Children tend to start to be dry overnight between three and five years old. However, bedwetting can continue into the younger years of primary school. Around 1 in 5, five-year olds wet the bed overnight. 

See the Bedwetting factsheet for more information.

Constipation is when poo becomes too hard and difficult to pass through the rectum when a child goes to the toilet. It is a common problem in children and can be treated with a healthy diet and good toilet habits. Some children can poo three or four times a day, and others may go twice a week without any problems. Pay attention to what is normal for your child. 

See the Constipation factsheet for more information.

Encopresis is also called soiling. It is a condition where children have runny poo that they can’t control due to unknown severe constipation. This happens when there is a build-up of loose, liquid poo that leaks around the hard, older poo that is stuck in the bowel. Speak to your doctor if your child shows signs of encopresis or soiling. 

See the Soiling and encopresis - Constipation factsheet for more information.