Why is the pelvic floor particularly important for children?

Learning to wee is a skill that needs to be acquired. It is not as simple as it may sound, since urination requires a complex interaction between the bladder muscle and the external sphincter. A well-functioning pelvic floor is equally essential for bowel continence, upright posture, breathing, and, later in life, for sexual health. With ongoing development and some practice, children typically gain the ability to control their bladder consciously – usually first during the day and later at night. There are, however, considerable individual differences in the age at which continence is achieved.