Bedwetting is pretty common in kids. Even though most stop doing it around age 4 or 6, some keep it up into their teens. It can be really frustrating for both kids and parents, causing issues with sleep, confidence and overall health.

It’s important to know that bedwetting can be caused by a few different things. It’s not just one simple problem. Understanding what’s going on can help us figure out how to fix it.

Some possible causes of bedwetting include:

• Deep sleeping
• Smaller bladder capacity
• Genetic tendency
• Stress and anxiety
• Urinary tract infections
• Constipation
• Other underlying physical or developmental conditions
  
  

Let’s learn more about why bedwetting happens and 9 ways parents can help stop it.

1. Create a supportive, compassionate environment for your child

It's important to remember that bedwetting can cause emotional distress and low self-esteem in kids and teens.

One Swedish study found that bedwetting was ranked as the third most distressing life event by children (in a list of 11 events), being considered even more concerning than teasing or bullying by their peers [1].

This is why as a parent it’s so important to be supportive and compassionate to your child, even when you may be frustrated at having to wake up during the night to change their sheets and clothing. Keep in mind that typically, children don't wet the bed on purpose and punishing them for it can make the problem worse.

To make sure you're doing what you can to build up your little one’s self-esteem during this time, stay patient and calm with them, and make sure all members of the family (including any siblings!) don't embarrass or shame them for accidents.

2. Talk to your child about how they feel

While keeping in mind the advice from tip #1, encourage your child to be open with you in communicating their thoughts and feelings about their bedwetting. It can be a great first step in working together to overcome it.

You might find out something is stopping them from going to the bathroom during the night (like being scared of the dark), and you can work together to find a solution (like leaving a light on in the hallway or bathroom) for them.

3. Build a bedtime routine with good sleep hygiene

Having a bedtime routine with your child helps create a calm, stress-free environment before sleep - which is great if they’re a little anxious about having an accident during the night.

Encourage them to go to bed at a regular time, and start the routine off by asking them to use the toilet. Help them look forward to bedtime by including an activity you can enjoy together, like reading their favourite book.

Then ask them to use the toilet one more time right before it's time for tucking in!

4. Make sure your child is hydrated

It might seem kind of counterintuitive, but making sure your child drinks water regularly during the day can help them beat bedwetting!

If you can, monitor their fluid intake to make sure it’s spread evenly throughout the day to avoid consuming the majority of their fluids after school or in the evening. You could also ask their teacher to keep an eye on this while they’re at school.

5. Schedule bathroom breaks throughout the day

Going to the toilet four to seven times every day is considered a normal range for kids.

When you’re together, take them to the toilet every two to three hours and encourage them to try and do a wee even if they don't feel the need to go.

Doing this builds consistency, and helps bring more attention and awareness to how their body is feeling and levels of urge.

6. Avoid food & drinks that can irritate your child's bladder

If your kid's having trouble staying dry at night, try cutting down on sugary stuff, chocolate, and acidic drinks like orange juice. And watch out for foods with certain food dyes, too. These things can irritate their bladder. Sometimes, just taking these out of their diet can help them stop bedwetting.

It's also a good idea to avoid giving your little one caffeine in the evening. Caffeine is a natural stimulant, and it can also make you need to pee more often [2]. So, it might help them stay dry at night if you cut back on caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea after dinner.

If your child usually goes for a Coca-Cola with dinner, we recommend swapping it out for a non-caffeinated soda or glass of water.

7. Use quality incontinence products

Transitioning out of bedwetting can take time and patience, so using a product like our Nundies Youth Pants at night can be a helpful way to manage any nighttime accidents.

They feel like regular underwear and are made with 3-channel superpower technology, which makes for super fast absorption that keeps your child or teen dry and comfortable for up to 12 hours.

8. Celebrate your child’s wins - big and small

It's really important to praise your kid when they stay dry at night. Let them know how proud you are of them, and give them lots of positive encouragement.

You could also make a chart or calendar together to track their dry nights. You could put stickers or draw pictures on it to make it fun, and it can help them see how much progress they're making.

9. Seek support from your child’s doctor

If you're really worried about your child's bedwetting, it's always a good idea to talk to their doctor. They can give you advice, support, and strategies, and they might suggest some tests to see if there's anything else going on.

If your child starts bedwetting again after a while of being toilet trained, or if they're not toilet trained at the age of five or are still bedwetting after the age of seven you should take them to the doctor for a check-up.

And if your child has special needs or is wetting themselves during the day as well as at night, you can find some helpful tips on our website about toilet training.

A lot of kids will stop bedwetting on their own eventually, but these tips can help them get there faster!