Bedwetting & Sleep-Disordered Breathing: What Every Parent Needs to Know

At Flourish Airway Collective, we understand how frustrating and concerning bedwetting can be for parents. While it’s often seen as a normal part of childhood, research shows that it may be linked to your child’s breathing while they sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), which includes conditions like mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can be a significant factor in persistent bedwetting.

The Connection Between Breathing & Bedwetting

When a child struggles to breathe properly during sleep, their body experiences disruptions that can lead to bedwetting. Here’s how:

1. Interrupted Sleep Cycles – SDB causes frequent micro-awakenings, which prevent the child from reaching deep, restorative sleep. The brain has a harder time sending signals to the bladder to hold urine overnight.
2. Oxygen & Hormone Imbalance – Poor airway function reduces oxygen levels, triggering stress responses in the body. This can interfere with the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps the body concentrate urine at night.
3. Increased Pressure on the Bladder – If a child breathes through their mouth and has airway obstruction, their diaphragm and abdominal muscles work harder, increasing pressure on the bladder and making nighttime accidents more likely.

Signs That Sleep-Disordered Breathing May Be Contributing to Bedwetting

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms in addition to bedwetting, it may be worth evaluating their airway health:

• Mouth breathing (instead of nose breathing)
• Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
• Restless sleep (frequent tossing and turning)
• Waking up tired despite a full night’s sleep
• Frequent nightmares or night sweats
• Behavioral issues like hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, or mood swings

How Flourish Airway Collective Can Help

If you suspect that your child’s bedwetting is linked to SDB, Flourish Airway Collective is here to support you. Here’s how we can help:

1. Comprehensive Airway Assessments – Our team specializes in evaluating airway health to determine if breathing issues are contributing to bedwetting.
2. Myofunctional Therapy – We provide personalized exercises to strengthen oral muscles and improve nasal breathing.
3. Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Evaluations – If a restriction is present, we can assess and provide appropriate interventions.
4. Collaboration with Specialists – We work with dentists, pediatricians, ENTs, and other experts to create the best treatment plan for your child.
5. Guidance on Sleep Hygiene – We help families implement strategies for better sleep, such as optimizing bedtime routines and reducing screen time before bed.

The Takeaway

At Flourish Airway Collective, we believe in a holistic approach to children’s health. Addressing sleep-disordered breathing can help reduce bedwetting and improve your child’s energy, focus, and overall well-being.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have concerns about your child’s breathing during sleep. Our team at Flourish is here to help your child thrive!