How long can a child hold their pee

How Long Can You Go Without Peeing? Risks, Complications, Concerns

Doctors recommend emptying your bladder regularly, about once every three hours. But we all know there are situations when that’s just not possible.

From long haul truckers to politicians holding the house floor, there are many instances when adults find themselves in situations where they need to hold it in.

While delaying nature’s call for an hour or two won’t pose any threat to your health, it’s possible to harm your body by holding pee for too long, or by making a habit of not relieving yourself often enough.

A healthy bladder can hold about 2 cups of urine before it’s considered full. It takes your body 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine. That’s about as long as you can wait and still be in the safe zone without the possibility of damaging your organs.

In the worst of circumstances, your bladder may stretch to hold even more than 2 cups of fluid. But if for some reason you’re not physically able to pee, or if you notice that your child is not peeing, you’re right to be concerned.

This article will address these concerns, as well as answer questions about what happens to your body when you can’t use the bathroom.

Age	Average bladder size	Time to fill bladder
Infant (0–12 months)	1–2 ounces	1 hour
Toddler (1–3 years)	3–5 ounces	2 hours
Child (4–12 years)	7–14 ounces	2–4 hours
Adult	16–24 ounces	8–9 hours (2 ounces per hour)

Your bladder is an expandable organ. The process of emptying your bladder is not unlike a muscle contraction. Two tubes called ureters bring filtered urine down from your kidneys and into your bladder. Once your bladder contains 16–24 ounces of fluid, it’s considered full.

Research tells us that the bladder has a direct line of communication with your brain. Your bladder is full of receptors that tell your brain how full your bladder is.

Basically, there’s an invisible “fill line” in your bladder. When your urine reaches that point, your brain receives a signal that indicates you need to pee. This happens when your bladder is only a quarter of the way full.

When you first feel the urge to pee, your bladder probably has quite some time to go before it’s completely filled up. And when your bladder becomes full, the muscles around it contract to keep urine from leaking out until you’re ready to release it.

Complications and other health problems with your bladder can lead to conditions like incontinence, overactive bladder, and urinary retention. These conditions are more common when you’re over 50 years old.

The dangers of holding your pee are mostly cumulative. Holding in your pee for six hours during that one memorable road trip probably won’t hurt you long-term.

But if you’re constantly ignoring the urge to pee, you may develop complications. In general, you should go when you feel the need to go!

Here are some of the dangers of holding your pee:

If you don’t empty your bladder often enough, or go a couple of days without emptying it all the way, it can result in a urinary tract infection (UTI).
If you hold your pee as a matter of habit, your bladder can start to atrophy. Over time, you may develop incontinence.
When you hold your pee for 10 hours or more, you may develop urinary retention, meaning the muscles in your bladder can’t relax and let you relieve yourself, even when you want to.
In very rare cases, holding your pee can cause your bladder to burst.

Your chances of dying from holding in pee are very, very low. Some doctors might even say it’s nonexistent. In general, your bladder will release involuntarily long before you’re in physical danger.

In rare scenarios, a person may hold their pee for so long that when it’s time to finally release urine, they aren’t able to do it. This can result in a burst bladder. If your bladder were to burst, you would need medical attention immediately. A burst bladder is a life-threatening condition.

When you hold your urine in for days at a time, you’re exposing your body to harmful bacteria that’s meant to be released. This can lead to a UTI, which can escalate to all sorts of complications, including sepsis. Again, this is the exception, not the rule.

Most people can hold their pee occasionally for several hours at a time and be just fine.

Normal urination frequency varies widely from person to person. It also depends on how much fluid you’re drinking each day.

Infants and children have smaller bladders, so they need to empty their bladders more often. Infants typically produce six to eight wet diapers a day, but can urinate much more than that.

Toddlers may seem like they go even more, especially during toilet training, when they may need to empty their bladders 10 or more times.

Once you’re an adult, visiting the bathroom to pee six to seven times per day is considered average. Going as few as 4 times and as many as 10 times is still within the scope of what’s considered normal.

Medications and certain conditions can affect frequency

Certain medications, such as diuretics for high blood pressure, can cause you to need to urinate more frequently. Medical conditions, such as diabetes, pregnancy, and sickle cell anemia, can also result in having to go more often.

Dehydration

If you haven’t been feeling the need to pee in a while, you may be dehydrated. Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluid than it’s taking in. When too much fluid is lost, your body’s function is affected. Symptoms of dehydration can include:

dizziness
infrequent urination
urine that’s brown or dark yellow
dry mouth

Sometimes you may want to relieve yourself, but you have trouble doing so. Certain conditions can affect your ability to pee. These conditions include:

kidney failure
urinary tract infections
enlarged prostate
bladder control problems, such as incontinence, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis
a blockage that prevents bladder emptying (urinary retention)

If you’re having trouble peeing, you should see a doctor. This is not a symptom you should try to learn to live with.

If your bladder function has been compromised in any way, it could be a symptom of another underlying health problem. Don’t wait a long time to address difficulty peeing. After 36 to 48 hours of symptoms, it’s time to seek a professional diagnosis.

Concerns with young children

It can be harder to know when your child is having difficulty peeing. Especially during the infant or toddler phase, your child can’t communicate with you about what’s going on in their body.

Your pediatrician will probably tell you to count the number of wet diapers your child produces every day. If you’re counting less than 4 wet diapers per day, call your pediatrician.

Pay attention to the color of the urine in your child’s diaper. It should be a clear to light yellow color. Pee that is dark amber or darker could indicate a dehydrated child. Be especially mindful of dehydration for babies and toddlers during the summer months.

Holding in your pee can feel like an emergency. But you’ll be relieved to know that it’s very rare to die of complications from holding in your urine.

As a general rule, empty your bladder whenever the urge strikes. Empty fully every time you go, and try not to rush the process.

There are some medical conditions that can make peeing painful, uncomfortable, or even impossible. If you’re having difficulty peeing, you should see your doctor within a day or two of the onset of symptoms.

Toilet Training | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is toilet training?

Toilet training is teaching your child to recognize his or her body signals for urinating and having a bowel movement and using a potty chair or toilet correctly and at the appropriate times.

When should toilet training begin?

Toilet training should begin when the child shows signs that he or she is ready. There is no right age to begin. If you try to toilet train before your child is ready, it can be a battle for both you and your child. The ability to control bowel and bladder muscles comes with proper growth and development.

Children develop at different rates. A child younger than 12 months of age has no control over bladder or bowel movements. There is very little control between 12 to 18 months. Most children are unable to obtain bowel and bladder control until 24 to 30 months. The average age of toilet training is 27 months.

Learning when my child is ready to begin toilet training

The following may be indicators of your child's readiness to begin toilet training. Your child should be able to:

Walk well in order to get to the potty chair.
Tell you when there is a need to go to the potty.
Control the muscles used for going to the potty.

Signs that your child may be ready for toilet training include the following:

Asks to have the diaper changed or tells you a bowel movement or urine is coming
Shows discomfort when the diaper is wet or dirty
Enjoys copying what parents or older children do
Follows you into the bathroom to see how the toilet is used
Wants to do things (like going to the potty) to make parents happy or to get praise
Has dry diapers for at least 2 hours during the day or is dry after naps or overnight

Getting started with toilet training

The following tips may help parents get started with toilet training:

If there are siblings, ask them to let the younger child see you praising them for using the toilet.
It is best to use a potty chair on the floor rather than putting the child on the toilet for training. The potty chair is more secure for most children because their feet reach the floor and there is no fear of falling off. If you decide to use a seat that goes over the toilet, use a footrest for your child's feet.
Children should be allowed to play with the potty: sit on it with clothes on and later with diapers off. This way they can get used to it.
Never strap your child to the potty chair. Children should be free to get off the potty when they want.
Your child should not sit on the potty for more than 5 minutes. Sometimes, children have a bowel movement just after the diaper is back on because the diaper feels normal. Do not get upset or punish your child. You can try taking the dirty diaper off and putting the bowel movement in the potty with your child watching you. This may help your child understand that you want the bowel movement in the potty.
If your child has a usual time for bowel movements (such as after a meal) you can take your child to the potty at that time of day. If your child acts a certain way when having a bowel movement (such as stooping, getting quiet, going to the corner), you may try taking your child to potty when he or she shows it is time.
If your child wants to sit on the potty, you may stay next to your child and talk or read a book.
It is good to use words for what your child is doing ("potty," "pee," or "poop"). Then your child learns the words to tell you. Remember that other people will hear these words. It is best not to use words that will offend, confuse, or embarrass others or your child.
Avoid using words like "dirty," "naughty," or "stinky" to describe bowel movements and urine. Use a simple, matter-of-fact tone.
If your child gets off the potty before urinating or passing a bowel movement, be calm. Do not scold. Try again later. If your child successfully uses the potty, give plenty of praise (such as a smile, clap, or hug).
Children learn from copying adults and other children. It may help if your child sits on the potty chair while you are using the toilet.
Children often follow parents into the bathroom. This may be one time they are willing to use the potty.
Initially, teach boys to sit down for passing urine. At first, it is difficult to control starting and stopping while standing. Boys will try to stand to urinate when they see other boys standing.
Some children learn by pretending to teach a doll to go potty. Obtain a doll that has a hole in its mouth and diaper area and your child can feed and "teach" the doll to pull down its pants and use the potty. Make this teaching fun for your child.
Make going to the potty a part of your child's daily routine, such as first thing in the morning, after meals and naps, and before going to bed.

After training is started

The following tips may help parents once the training is started:

Once children start using the potty and can tell you they need to go, taking them to the potty at regular times or reminding them too many times to go to the potty is not necessary.
You may want to start using training pants. Wearing underpants is a sign of growing up, and most children like being a "big girl or big boy." Wearing diapers once potty training has been started may be confusing for the child.
If your child has an accident while in training pants, do not punish. Be calm and clean up without making a fuss about it.
Keep praising or rewarding your child every step of the way: for pulling down pants, for sitting on the potty, and for using the potty. If parents show that they are pleased when children urinate or have bowel movements in the potty, children are more likely to use the potty next time.
As children get older, they can learn to wipe themselves and wash hands after going to the bathroom. Girls should be taught to wipe from front to back so that germs from bowel movement are not wiped into the urinary area.
Remember that every child is different and learns toilet training at his or her own pace. If things are going poorly with toilet training, it is better to put diapers back on for a few weeks and try again later. In general, have a calm, unhurried approach to toilet training.
Most children have bowel control and daytime urine control by age 3 or 4. Soiling or daytime wetting after this age should be discussed with your child's healthcare provider.
Nighttime control usually comes much later than daytime control. Complete nighttime control may not happen until your child is 4 or 5 years old, or even older. If your child is age 5 or older and does not stay dry at night, you should discuss this with your child's healthcare provider.
Even when children are toilet trained, they may have some normal accidents (when excited or playing a lot), or setbacks due to illness or emotional situations. If accidents or setbacks happen, be patient. Examples of emotional situations include moving to a new house, illness or death in the family, or a new baby in the house. In fact, if you know an emotional situation is going to be happening soon, do not start toilet training. Wait for a calmer time.

Books and videos on toilet training can be found at the library or bookstore for additional information. Talk with your child's healthcare provider for more information.

Urinary incontinence in a child | Child Health Center

home > Symptoms of childhood illnesses: section information > Urinary incontinence in a child

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U F X C H W Shch E Yu Ya

Children can control the act of urination from the age of 6 months. Persistent control with proper potty training is established by the age of 3. However, in some children rare daytime urinary incontinence persists until the age of 5 years. For some children, this sometimes happens at night. If a child older than 5 years of age develops urinary incontinence, always follow consult a pediatrician . If urinary incontinence recurs after a sufficiently long "dry" period, stress, pyelonephritis, etc. may be the cause. The child should be examined by a doctor.

DOCTOR'S CONSULTATION

Contact your pediatrician if:

child hurts to urinate
passing red or cloudy urine
the child has swelling around the eyes, pallor, lethargy, increased urine volume
Urinary incontinence recurs after a fairly long dry period
the child complains of loss of appetite, headache
the child has a fever

WARNING!

If a child is swimming, chlorinated water can cause irritation of the urethra.

ASK YOURSELF	POSSIBLE CAUSE	WHAT TO DO
Does urinary incontinence often happen when a child is addicted to play?	Excitement; distraction; urinary retention	The child must learn to notice the urge to urinate in time. Remind him to go to the bathroom during breaks at school and before going outside. If you see that the child wants to use the toilet, insist that he go there immediately. In an unfamiliar place, show the child where the restroom is
Is urinary incontinence recurring after a long dry period? Does the child have increased frequency, pain or burning when urinating, an unpleasant smell of urine? Pain in the abdomen or in the lower back?	Urinary tract infection	Call pediatrician (or urologist ). Tests and antibiotics may be required
Does your child have frequent urination or urinary incontinence? Is he on asthma medication?	Side effect of medication	Show the child to the pediatrician . If necessary, he will adjust the treatment
Is urinary incontinence accompanied by severe constipation?	Crowded rectum presses on bladder	Consult your pediatrician (or urologist ). He will probably advise you to increase the amount of vegetable fibers and fluids in the diet
Urine dripping continuously? Does the child have a nervous system disease?	Neurogenic Bladder	Make an appointment with pediatrician (or urologist ). He will advise what to do
Increased amount of urine separated per day? Constant thirst? Have weight loss? Does your child tire unusually quickly?	diabetes mellitus	Consult your pediatrician immediately . If the diagnosis is confirmed, insulin injections and diet may be required; permanent treatment

FOR INFORMATION

Urinary control

Before learning to control urination and stool, the child learns what a full bladder or rectum is. Later, children learn to restrain physiological functions. In the 2nd year, most children can control urination and stool during the day, but still periodic "troubles", especially urinary incontinence, are not uncommon. Nocturnal urinary control is usually achieved by 2.5-3.5 years of age, but cases of enuresis are still possible up to 5 years, and are not uncommon in healthy children and later.


PRICE LIST for medical services of the Center
Appointment (examination, consultation) with a pediatric urologist	2800
Follow-up appointment with a specialist doctor: neurologist, oculist, surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, ENT, immunologist-allergologist, nephrologist, nephrologist, gastroenterologist, gastroenterologist , pediatric gynecologist.	2300

A complete list of symptoms (more than 70) that require the attention of a pediatrician can be found here.

The materials presented in the handbook are advisory in nature and do not replace a consultation with a doctor!

You can make an appointment or call a pediatrician at home by calling the Center in Moscow:

+7(495) 229-44-10, +7(49)5) 954-00-46

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