Is your child over the age of 5 and still wetting the bed? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong just by wondering how best to handle it. Many of the instincts that feel natural to parents — staying quiet about it, limiting drinks, lifting a sleeping child to the toilet — can actually make the habit harder to break.
Here are some of the most common mistakes parents make when dealing with bedwetting, along with what tends to work better instead.
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This article is based on the experience of a bedwetting specialist who has spent years helping families around the world tackle bedwetting without medication or alarms.
Don’t Miss Help Your Child Stop Bedwetting with these Top 10 Tips
Mistakes Parents Make When Dealing with Bedwetting
#1. Staying Quiet
It’s good to talk. It’s not uncommon to hear advice that it’s best not to mention the problem, so as not to make an issue of it.
But quite often this means the bedwetting habit never actually gets discussed — and it’s common to come across children who simply don’t realise they shouldn’t be wearing pull-ups any more and should be visiting the bathroom instead. So tell your child clearly what it is you’d like them to do.
#2. Restricting Drinks
On the face of it, limiting drinks to reduce the amount of urine produced sounds sensible. But this can actually lead to a smaller bladder that needs emptying more frequently.
It’s better to encourage plenty of drinks during the day, so the bladder gets used to holding a larger amount comfortably.
#3. Lifting
Another common habit is ‘lifting’ your child to the bathroom just before you go to bed yourself. It seems like a sensible step, but most children are fast asleep, or very close to it, when this happens.
In practice, this can train your child to wee while still asleep — the opposite of what you’re aiming for.
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#4. Continuing to Use Nappies and Night-time Pull-ups
Modern nappies are so absorbent that a child can wear them without ever really feeling wet. That’s great for babies and toddlers, but at some point your child needs to experience that feeling of wetness against the skin so that mind and body can start working together.
Once your child is around 5 years old, it’s worth thinking about moving away from nappies and pull-ups at night for good.
#5. Not Checking How Clear and Easy It Is to Get to the Bathroom
Your child needs to feel confident getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Check that the route is genuinely clear — no leftover toys, jigsaw pieces or dropped clothes in the way in the dark.
#6. Offering Bribes and Rewards
It’s tempting, but try not to attach rewards to dry beds. Treats such as money, toys or sweets can distract your child at exactly the moment they need to be focused on their goal of staying dry. And if they do have a wet bed, they can end up feeling like they’ve failed twice over.
#7. Giving Up Too Quickly
It’s common for parents to feel discouraged after a couple of weeks of wet beds and to go back to night-time pull-ups. The key to success is choosing an approach and sticking with it consistently. Progress with bedwetting often happens gradually, and sometimes when you least expect it.
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Getting stuck with a bedwetting habit after the age of 5 is a common problem for many families, and the right solution isn’t always easy to find straight away. Small, consistent changes — talking openly, encouraging daytime drinks, clearing the path to the bathroom, and sticking with your approach — tend to make the biggest difference over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a 5-year-old to still wet the bed?
Yes. Many children take longer than others to develop full night-time bladder control, and occasional or regular bedwetting past age 5 is common. It usually resolves with time and the right approach, though it’s worth mentioning to your GP if you have concerns.
Should I limit my child’s drinks in the evening to stop bedwetting?
Restricting drinks isn’t generally recommended. It’s better to encourage good fluid intake earlier in the day so the bladder gets used to holding larger amounts, rather than cutting drinks close to bedtime.
Should I wake my child up to use the bathroom during the night?
Lifting a sleeping child to the toilet is a common habit, but it can end up training them to wee while still asleep rather than waking themselves when they need the bathroom. It’s usually more helpful to focus on daytime habits and a clear, easy route to the bathroom instead.
Do rewards help stop bedwetting?
Rewards can sometimes add pressure rather than help. Since bedwetting isn’t something a child can consciously control, attaching prizes to dry nights can make wet nights feel like a failure. Consistency and encouragement tend to work better than bribes.
How long does it take to stop bedwetting?
It varies from child to child. Sticking with one consistent approach for a reasonable period, rather than switching strategies every couple of weeks, gives the best chance of steady progress.
Related Articles
- Help Your Child Stop Bedwetting with these Top 10 Tips
- 6 Secrets to Developing Good Sleeping Habits in Kids
- 15 Sleep Solutions for When Your Child is Struggling to Get Some ZZZs
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