Is your child over the age of five and still wetting the bed most nights? If you’re tired of disturbed sleep, midnight sheet changes and endless loads of washing, you’re not alone — and there’s a lot you can do to help.
Below are 10 practical, expert-informed tips to help your child stop bedwetting, drawn from Stop Bedwetting in 7 Days by Alicia Eaton.
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Bedwetting is far more common than most families realise. Research published in the British Medical Journal has found that around 20% of five-year-olds have difficulty controlling their bladder at night, and it remains an issue for a small percentage of teenagers too. Similar patterns are seen in other countries.
The real numbers may well be higher, since bedwetting is still a subject many families feel awkward discussing — even within the household.
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Help Your Child Stop Bedwetting
#1. Visit Your GP
If your child continues to wet the bed after the age of five, it’s worth booking a check-up with your GP. This helps rule out any medical causes — such as a urinary infection — that can often be resolved quickly with the right treatment.
#2. Consider Whether There’s an Emotional Reason
For most children, bedwetting is simply a habit rather than a sign of anything emotional going on — so try not to assume there’s a deeper cause.
That said, if your child has been reliably dry for months or years and suddenly starts wetting the bed again, speak to your GP first, and then think about whether any changes at home or at school might be a factor.
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#3. Move Away From Pull-Ups After Age Five
Once your child is past five, it’s usually best to stop using nappies or pull-ups at night and simply protect the mattress instead. When your child can feel the wetness as it happens, it helps their mind and body make the connection they need in order to stay dry.
#4. Make Night-Time Changes Easier
A simple trick: put two layers of sheets on the bed with an absorbent pad sandwiched in between. If your child does have an accident overnight, you can quickly strip away the top layer, leaving a dry, ready-made bed underneath for them to climb back into.
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#5. Avoid “Lifting”
Try to avoid “lifting” — waking your child around 11pm to bring them to the toilet just before you go to bed yourself. While well-intentioned, this can actually train your child to release urine while still half-asleep, and may encourage a habit of needing the toilet in the middle of the night rather than helping them sleep through.
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Getting stuck in a bedwetting habit after the age of five is a common challenge for many families, and it isn’t always easy to find the right solution.
The tips in this article are drawn from Alicia Eaton’s ‘Stop Bedwetting in 7 Days’ training programme, designed to help children move past bedwetting. The programme’s website states it comes recommended by health professionals and clinics, and includes a money-back guarantee.
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#6. Skip the Reward System
It’s best to avoid reward systems — treats like money, toys or sweets can end up distracting your child from what they actually need to focus on: staying dry. There will be plenty to celebrate once they succeed, from worry-free sleepovers to school trips away.
#7. Make the Trip to the Bathroom Easy
Keep the route to the bathroom well lit at night — a small light left on in the bathroom itself can help. It’s best to avoid night-lights in your child’s bedroom, though, as a fully dark room supports deeper, better-quality sleep, which can in itself support a dry night.
#8. Clear Away Obstacles
Make sure the path from bed to bathroom is completely clear. Your child needs to feel confident getting up in the middle of the night if they need to go — so check there’s nothing in the way, from stray toys to leftover laundry.
#9. Make the Bathroom Feel Like Theirs
Let your child help choose a few bathroom accessories, like a colourful towel or toothbrush cup. Small touches like this help the space feel like it belongs to them too, not just the adults in the house.
#10. Stay Positive Throughout
Keep your tone encouraging and upbeat during this process. Try to avoid any negative reactions — even a raised eyebrow can signal disappointment, which makes it harder for your child to succeed and can knock their confidence.
It can help to remind your child of other things they’ve learned to do over time, like writing their name, tying their shoelaces, or riding a bike. Staying dry at night is simply one more skill they’re on their way to mastering.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start to worry about bedwetting?
Occasional bedwetting is common in younger children, but if your child is still regularly wetting the bed after age five, it’s a good idea to check in with your GP to rule out any medical cause.
Is bedwetting usually caused by stress or emotional issues?
Not usually — for most children it’s simply a habit rather than a sign of an emotional problem. However, if a previously dry child suddenly starts wetting the bed again, it’s worth considering whether something has changed at home or school, alongside speaking to your GP.
Should my older child still wear pull-ups at night?
Generally, once a child is past five, it helps to move away from pull-ups and protect the mattress instead, so your child can feel when they’ve had an accident and make the connection needed to stay dry.
What is “lifting,” and is it a good idea?
“Lifting” means waking your child to bring them to the toilet before you go to bed yourself. It’s generally best avoided, as it can interfere with your child’s ability to recognise their own need to go during the night.
When should we see a GP about bedwetting?
If bedwetting continues past age five, or restarts suddenly after a long dry spell, a GP visit is a sensible first step to rule out infections or other medical causes.
Related Articles
- Top Tips for How to Clean a Mattress (and How Often!)
- 15 Sleep Solutions for When Your Child is Struggling to Get Some ZZZs
- 7 Mistakes Parents Make When Dealing with Bedwetting
- Top Tips for How to Get Kids to Sleep Well
Save This for Later
Dealing with bedwetting takes patience, and it helps to have these tips on hand when you need them. Bookmark this article or browse our other family sleep and parenting guides for more practical support.
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