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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, it often runs in families, 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, and your GP can help from age 5, especially 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 NHS says bedwetting is common, often runs in families, and that many children under 5 wet the bed.
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 doesn't make enough of a hormone called vasopressin 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 can put pressure on the bladder
Caffeinated drinks, like cola or tea, 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 15% of 7 year olds regularly wet the bed, and plenty of older children do too.
Waterproof bedding for easier nights
Shop HushDry™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.
From age 5, your GP can help if it's bothering anyone. 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's still happening, this is a good time to see your GP, who may suggest a bedwetting alarm. Sleepovers and school trips 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 (around 6 to 8 glasses of water-based drinks), then keep bedtime drinks small and stop about an hour before bed.
- Skip caffeine, including cola, tea and coffee.
- 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? The NHS advises against regularly waking or carrying your child to the toilet in the night. 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. ERIC, The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity, says alarms are often the ideal treatment for children who struggle to wake to a full bladder. A few things to know:
- Give it at least 4 weeks, and keep going until your child has 14 dry nights in a row
- It works best with the whole family on board (yes, it may wake you too)
- It works best without nappies or pull-ups, so try a few nights without first
- Sort out any constipation first, as it can get in the way
Alarms aren't usually available on the NHS, but your GP or a continence service can advise.
How Is Bed Wetting Treated?
In the UK, bedwetting can be treated from age 5. Your GP may suggest an alarm first. For some children, a GP may also prescribe medicine, sometimes just for nights away like sleepovers or school trips. The NHS 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 it's still common at 7.
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's still happening at 5 or older and home steps haven't helped, or if it's upsetting your child or family. Also see your GP if your child:
- Starts wetting the bed again after being dry for more than 6 months
- Wets during the day too
- Has pain or stinging when weeing, or blood in their wee
- Is constipated
- Snores loudly at night
Your GP can refer you to a local continence service or enuresis clinic, and ERIC has lots of practical support for families too.
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.
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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 trip?
Plan ahead. Talk to your GP well before the trip about options for nights away, including medicine, which is best tried at home first. Pack spare pyjamas, a discreet bag for wet clothes and a sheet cover, and let a trusted adult know.
Should I wake my child at night to go to the toilet?
NHS advice is not to regularly wake or carry your child to the toilet at night. 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's still happening from age 5 and bothering anyone. 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.