Toddler Going to Potty Every 10 Minutes

Updated on January 26, 2011
J.K. asks from Kula, HI
12 answers

My soon to be 3 year old daughter is constantly having to pee. It started about 2 weeks ago and she needs to go about every 10 to 20 minutes. She said it doesn't hurt or burn and the doctor ran a test for an infection which came out negative. Most of the time just a little comes out. She does not drink much during the day (something I'm trying to change). I really don't think it's a behavior issue because she does it everywhere, at home, at daycare and even when she doesn't want to leave an activity.
Please help....I have no clue what's going on.

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Please take her to a doctor. If she has some sort of obstruction - 2 weeks without attention is too long.
K.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Is she rushing and not emptying her bladder completely? Try to encourage her to sit longer.

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I'm wondering how long she has been potty trained. Maybe she has become "aware" and is worried. Did she have an "accident" recently and not make it to the bathroom? Just throwing that idea out.

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J.M.

answers from Las Vegas on

If you can tell shes playing a game with you that's one thing - she'll get board if it eventually, kinda like waking in the middle of the night or a child playing fetch the toy with a parent. When the constantly drop something and you pick of up everytime and hand it to them. It's an attentionthing. On the other hand I don't want to worry you but if she truly is going potty - actually peeing she might have a medical condition. That is actually one of the symptoms of childhood diabetes - just check it out. I am apsolutly not a doctor but my nephew was diagnosed when he was 3 years old. I hope it's just a game to her!

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe its a phase. My daughter was only partially emptying her bladder, ON PURPOSE. She doesn't do that anymore, but honestly, it went on for a month or two. Our pediatrician said its one of the only things she has total control over, so she will use it! Just sharing, maybe yours is doing the same?

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R.M.

answers from Portland on

Hey Mama

Give her cranberry juice for a while. I know the doc said there was no infection, but it sure sounds like one.

Cranberry juice naturally helps prevent UTI's. Try the unsweetened 100% juice and add a little sugar if she won't drink it unsweetend, (cranberry juice is really strong).

Good Luck

R. Magby

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J.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi. My daughter started doing that at around age 5 and I, too, took her to the doctor. It wasn't an infection or UTI or anything. She also said it didn't hurt or burn.

It ended up being anxiety....which made sense after putting it all together. My ex-husband and I separated a couple of months before her frequent urination. After a few months of art-therapy for children, she was all better.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

JB

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K.P.

answers from San Diego on

You should have her blood sugar checked. This could be a symptom of diabetes.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Maybe she just really digs going to the potty.
Why worry?
It's better than her holding it or not going at all.
There's no infection so maybe she just is really aware of when she feels the urge to pee and goes.
I did daycare and when one kid went, they all went. I had "the potty line".
Even the kids that weren't potty trained took their turn and sat on the potty then washed and dried their hands. Even if they sat with their pants up and the lid down.
I think you should let her sit on the potty as much as she wants to. She's getting her body figured out.
Not a bad thing at all.

Best wishes.

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R.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Please have her blood sugar tested. Sounds a lot like my brother who turned out to have juvenile diabetes, which is totally handleable, but does need to be handled.

I also like the cranberry juice idea.

Good luck and keep listening to your instinct and stay proactive.

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J.H.

answers from Phoenix on

my daughter is almost 3 and did the exact same thing. She is going to be 3 in a month and I am happy to report that the last 2 months or so have been MUCH better. She is the second child and just naturally potty trained herself at a much earlier age than her big sister. I think her bladder wasn't quite as ready as she was :). The going every 10-20 minutes has stopped now. Hang in there, it should improve. If it doesn't you can mention it to your pediatrician.

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R.P.

answers from Cleveland on

she could just have a small bladder.

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