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Why Kids Wet the Bed and How to Stop It
Back to Baby Sleep
It's 2am, the sheets are soaked, and a teary little person is standing next to your bed. Sound familiar? You're in very good company. Here's why kids wet the bed, how to stop bed wetting, when to see a GP, and how to clean the mattress (then stop needing to).
The short answer
Bedwetting is common, especially between 4 and 6, and it isn't your child's fault. Most children grow out of it as their brain and bladder mature. Simple habits help, a bedwetting alarm is the main treatment for older kids, and your GP is the person to see if it carries on past about 6 or 7, or if it's upsetting anyone.
Is Bedwetting Normal?
Yes. Bedwetting (the medical name is nocturnal enuresis) is when a child wets the bed while asleep, after the age most children are dry at night. They simply sleep through the signal that their bladder is full.
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne says it's especially common between 4 and 6, and that a smaller number of children still wet the bed by 11.
It isn't bad behaviour or the result of poor toilet training. Children don't do it on purpose.
Why Do Kids Wet the Bed?
There's usually no single cause, and it's rarely anything serious. The most common reasons are:
- Sleeping very deeply, so they don't wake to a full bladder
- Making more urine overnight, because the body makes less of a hormone called ADH at night
- A smaller or more active bladder
- Family history (if a parent wet the bed as a child, their child is more likely to)
- Constipation, which often has no obvious signs
Caffeine in the evening, like cola or chocolate drinks, can make it worse. For older kids, a stressful event such as a new school or a big change at home can bring it on. If wetting starts again after a long dry spell, it's worth a GP check.
So, why would a 10 year old wet the bed? Usually for the same reasons as a younger child, and they're far from alone. Around 1 in 20 ten year olds still wet the bed.
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Bedwetting at Different Ages
Every child gets there in their own time. Here's what to expect at each age.
Younger Kids (3 to 5)
Wet nights are very common at this age. Many children are dry during the day long before they're dry at night.
Wondering how to stop bed wetting at age 3, 4 or 5? Mostly, you don't need to. A toilet trip before bed, a nightlight and night nappies (if they help everyone sleep) are all you need for now. Once wet nights become less frequent, try going without.
Treatment isn't usually needed unless there are other symptoms or your child is really upset. For more, see our guide to night time toilet training.
School-Age Kids (6 to 10)
Plenty of 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 year olds still wet the bed, usually for the same reasons as younger kids.
If it carries on past about 6 or 7, this is when a GP visit and a bedwetting alarm start to make sense. Sleepovers and school camps can bring the worry to a head, but you can plan ahead (see our FAQs).
Tweens and Teens (11 and Up)
Fewer children wet the bed at this age, so it can feel lonely and embarrassing. Keep conversations gentle and private, and if it hasn't been checked by a GP yet, now's a good time.
Independence helps too. Older kids can strip their own bed and start the wash without waking anyone. Our HushDry™ bedding is a fitted sheet and mattress protector in one, so there's less to strip.
How to Stop Bed Wetting: What Helps
There's no instant fix, but these simple habits are the best place to start if you're looking for how to prevent bed wetting at night:
- Stay calm, never punish or shame. It's not in your child's control.
- Spread drinks through the day, then ease off in the hour before bed.
- Skip caffeine in the evening, including cola and chocolate drinks.
- Go to the toilet right before sleep, every night.
- Add a nightlight near the toilet so it's easy to find.
- Keep things moving with plenty of fibre to help prevent constipation.
- Praise effort, not dry nights, like remembering to go before bed.
A wet and dry calendar your child fills in themselves is a simple, low-pressure way to track progress.
What about waking your child at night to wee? healthdirect says it doesn't help children become dry in the long run. A toilet trip before bed and easy access to the toilet are more useful.
Wondering how you can help your son or daughter stop wetting the bed if these steps aren't working? That's when to talk to your GP about treatment.
Do Bed Wetting Alarms Work?
For many children, yes. A bed wetting alarm wakes your child at the first sign of wetness, which helps them learn to wake to a full bladder over time. healthdirect describes alarm therapy as the most effective treatment for bedwetting in children older than 6. A few things to know:
- It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to work
- It works best with the whole family on board (yes, it may wake you too)
- It can't be used with nappies or pull-ups
- Constipation needs to be treated first, or the alarm may not work
Your GP or a continence service can advise on hiring or buying one.
How Is Bed Wetting Treated?
For younger children, treatment usually isn't needed. From about 7, if bedwetting is still happening or is upsetting your child, a GP may suggest an alarm first. For some children, a GP may also prescribe medicine, sometimes just for sleepovers or school camps. The Royal Children's Hospital fact sheet has more on treatment options.
When Do Kids Stop Wetting the Bed?
It varies from child to child. Most grow out of it over time as their brain and bladder mature, and some wet the bed on and off until around 7 or 8.
So how long does bed wetting last? There's no fixed age. Wet nights usually become less frequent before they stop altogether, which is a lovely sign things are heading the right way.
When to See a GP
So, what age is bed wetting a problem? As a guide, see your GP if it carries on past about 6 or 7, or sooner if it's upsetting your child or family. Also see your GP if your child:
- Starts wetting the bed again after being dry for a few months or more
- Wets during the day too
- Has pain or stinging when weeing, or blood in their wee
- Is constipated
- Snores loudly at night
For advice at any time, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day.
Can Bedwetting Be a Sign of Something Else?
Most bedwetting has no medical cause, but sometimes it can be linked to a urinary tract infection, constipation, sleep problems, a health condition, or a stressful or upsetting event.
If it starts suddenly after a long dry spell, or comes with other symptoms like being very thirsty, weeing a lot, tiredness or weight loss, see your GP promptly. The same goes if your child has ADHD, takes a medicine or has been through something tough and you're wondering about a link.
How to Clean a Mattress After Bed Wetting
Here's how to clean a wet bed mattress in two easy stages.
In the middle of the night: strip the bed and get the wet bedding into the wash (or a basket). Blot the mattress with a towel, pressing rather than rubbing, then lay a dry towel over the damp spot and remake the bed.
The next morning:
- Treat the area with a mild cleaner, then rinse by blotting with a damp cloth
- Once it's nearly dry, sprinkle over bicarbonate of soda to help with odour, then vacuum it off
- Let it air dry completely before making the bed again
Check your mattress maker's care instructions first, and avoid soaking it.
Here's the thing, though: the easiest mattress to clean is the one that never got wet. HushDry™ 2-in-1 Waterproof Bedding is a buttery-soft bamboo fitted sheet with a whisper-quiet waterproof layer built in, so the sheet goes in the wash and the mattress stays dry.
How Long Does a Wet Mattress Take to Dry?
It depends on how wet it got, the mattress type and the airflow, and it can take many hours. Open a window or run a fan, and keep spare sheets (and pyjamas) ready to go. With a waterproof sheet, there's no mattress to dry, just a sheet to wash.
FAQs About Bedwetting
Is bedwetting a sign of bad behaviour?
No. Children don't wet the bed on purpose or for attention, and it isn't caused by poor toilet training. It usually comes down to deep sleep, making more urine at night or a bladder that's still maturing. Calm and kind is the way to go.
When should I stop putting my child in night nappies?
When you notice they're wetting them less often. Make sure your child goes to the toilet before bed and knows they're wearing underwear, so they understand the change. A waterproof sheet takes the pressure off while they practise, and keeps the mattress dry if there's an accident.
How can I help my child with bedwetting on a sleepover or school camp?
Plan ahead. Talk to your GP well before the trip, as a bedwetting alarm needs to start at least two months beforehand and a doctor can advise on short-term options. Pack spare pyjamas and a discreet bag for wet clothes, and let a trusted adult know.
Should I wake my child at night to go to the toilet?
Australian health advice says waking a child to wee doesn't help them learn to stay dry in the long run. A toilet trip right before bed and easy access to the toilet at night, like a nightlight in the hallway, are more useful.
Key Takeaway
Bedwetting is common, it's not your child's fault, and most kids grow out of it. Stay calm, try a few simple habits, and see your GP if it carries on past 6 or 7. In the meantime, a waterproof sheet makes those 2am changes quicker for everyone.
For more sleep tips for every stage, visit our baby sleep blog.
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