Bed wetting: How to help your child stay dry

Wetting the bed isn’t talked about too often but, for the sake of parents and kids alike, we need to open up the discussion on bed wetting so you can learn how and when to help your sleeping angels keep dry and happy.

A river runs through it

It can be hard to know what is “normal” when it comes to bed wetting, but the truth is, it’s very common. For babies, it’s a part of life, so thankfully we have nappies. For older children, there are different stages of urinary cycles and there are ways to help them develop the ability to have a dry night.

About 10% of 10-year-olds still have visits from the pee fairy at night. However, usually from about 3–7 years of age, children will start becoming dry on their own. Becoming dry is a process, like learning to walk – it requires the nervous system and neurological pathways to reach a certain level of maturity before it can evolve.

And some kids are just very heavy sleepers, and don’t respond to the signal from the bladder telling them they “gotta go”. Pokémon dreams can get very involved, after all.

While most adults can sleep through the night without turning on the “tap”, our urinary cycles can always change again. It’s perfectly acceptable to chat to your GP about steps you can take to keep high and dry.

No time like the right time

Unfortunately, kids don’t come with instruction booklets, so sometimes it can be hard for a parent to know when to bring out the big guns, like GPs. You really have to gauge how your child is developing in this area. If you feel they are struggling and not developing consistently, then follow your gut.

Often girls will reach this level of maturity a little earlier than boys. Many children will get the hang of it after potty training, but for others, it may take a few more years.

Dam builders: Where to start

Ever done something by accident and been made to feel really bad about it? Everyone has at some point, which is why it’s important to not make it into a big deal. Not only will this make your li’l trooper feel worse, it will also put more pressure on them – which never helps. That being said, don’t ignore it either.

You may casually remind them to “wee before bed” and “no big drinks before sleeping”. This will help them understand. And it’s amazing how often these simple tips are forgotten. Ever had a pint before bed? Undoubtedly you’ll need to go to the loo in no time at all.

There are also some great products out there that weren’t around even a generation ago. For instance, pull-up pants are great and help to minimise the amount of wetness in the bed. This way, it’s not such a challenge in the middle of the night when your eyes are only half open.

If your child is still struggling by about 6 years of age, it’s a good time to check them out to ensure it’s just normal bed wetting rather than something more serious. Urine samples will help your doctor confirm this, and they are easy and non-invasive.

Pom poms for pee pee

Often all it takes to help your child is a little encouragement, so think of yourself as a cheerleader for the cause. You can use star charts and reward your little man or lady when they stay dry. It’s important not to imply they are “bad” if they wet the bed – just that they are doing very well when they don’t. Associate dryness with positivity.

Another behavioural technique can involve alarm systems that can be hired from the chemist. A monitor attached to the bed detects wetness and raises a little alarm so your sleeping cub can associate needing to wee with waking up … rather than sleeping through a rainstorm.

For a little more help, there are many clinics available that focus on this specific challenge. There is nothing stopping you from asking some questions if you feel the need!

While tablets are also available, it’s best to save them as a last resort, because learning how to stay dry at night is a normal part of growing up.

Water beds

It needs to be stressed that bed wetting isn’t a “problem” – it’s a process of growing up. Working through this process with your child is a part of parenting, which you can learn about as you go. Never be scared to ask your GP for advice; they answer these questions every day! Before you know it, bed wetting will be all over – and it will be time for the teen years.

The “teen phase”, however, has no known cure.