As much as we might not like to admit it, every one of us has wet the bed at some point in our lives, and possibly even quite a lot when we were young, excitable preschoolers. Almost 50% of all 3-year-olds and up to 40% of 4-year-olds wet the bed several times a week, and even 25% of 5-year-olds won’t stay dry every single night. With this in mind, bed-wetting must be considered an entirely normal preschool behaviour.

But why exactly does it happen?

Why does my child wet the bed?

There are several causes for bed-wetting, all of them biological. It could be that the bladder hasn’t grown large enough to contain a full night’s sleep of urine, or that the bladder overproduces urine at night. Or perhaps the kidneys are not yet sending a signal to the brain that the body is in sleep mode. Whatever the reason, all are self-correcting as the child gets older. So there’s no cause for worry!

Children have next to no control over bed-wetting, after all, nobody wants to wake up cold and wet. So, if you associate bed-wetting with laziness or disobedience, it’s important that you shift your thinking. As with learning to walk and talk, there’s a very wide range of normal and no reason to rush this natural process of development.

As parents, there are plenty of ways to positively affect change in the lives of our children, helping them develop and grow, but this simply isn't one of those things. If you are patient and sensitive, the bed-wetting should soon come to a stop.

How do I help my child stay dry at night?

There are a number of ways to help your child to stay dry at night, but before implementing any steps, remember that bed-wetting can be a sensitive subject for kids and we certainly don’t want them to feel shame or guilt. So go about it calmly, thoughtfully and with plenty of care. Of the following 5 steps, pick and choose as many or as few as suits you and your child.

Try to limit your child’s liquid intake in the 1 or 2 hours before bed, but do let them have some sips of water if they are thirsty. Children who are especially thirsty in the evenings are likely not drinking enough in the morning and afternoon, so do make sure they drink at least 6 times a day. Limiting evening liquids will not necessarily put a stop to bed-wetting, but will reduce the amount of urine.
Set aside at least a couple of bedtime bathroom trips, once at the beginning of the bedtime routine and once just before turning off the lights.
While it may seem obvious to us, some children don’t realise that they can always get out of bed and use the bathroom at night. So do let them know that they have permission to use the bathroom during the night. Most children are more than a little scared of the dark, so pop a torch next to their bed or a soft night light that will give them an extra boost of courage to find their way to the loo.
Some brands of absorbent training pants actually slow the normal night-time potty training, as the child doesn’t feel when urination occurs. Instead, opt for regular nappies or use a special mattress cover, depending on the age and readiness of the child.
Try not to let your preschooler drink caffeinated drinks, such as cola, as these can often irritate the bladder, as well as interfere with their sleep.

It’s really important that, if you take your child out of nappies at night, you continue to persevere, as hard as it might be for all concerned. This is because switching back to nappies can send mixed messages to your child and ultimately make it harder for them.

Only think about speaking to a doctor or specialist if your child is over the age of 6 and still regularly wetting the bed.

What should I do about my child’s bed-wetting?

Help your child overcome this common problem with Unii’s tips.