Wet sheets in the morning, again. Your child is embarrassed, you're tired of changing the sheets, and you wonder if this is normal. Good news: it's common, it's never their fault, and it almost always gets better.
At what age is it normal?
Becoming dry at night comes later than during the day, and at a very different age from one child to the next. Before age 5, nighttime accidents are part of normal development. Doctors speak of nocturnal enuresis when a child still wets the bed regularly after age 5.
Why does a child wet the bed?
Several causes often combine:
- hard to wake up: the child sleeps so deeply that the "full bladder" signal doesn't wake them;
- too much urine at night: the hormone that reduces urine production during sleep isn't yet well regulated;
- a small bladder or one that contracts too early;
- heredity: it often happened to one of the parents;
- constipation, which presses on the bladder;
- sometimes, sleep disrupted by breathing (snoring, apnea): doctors check for this (see my child snores).
What really helps
- Never scold or punish: they aren't doing it on purpose, and shame doesn't help.
- Drink plenty during the day, and less in the 1 to 2 hours before bed.
- Use the bathroom right before sleeping.
- A calendar of dry nights, without excessive rewards or punishment: it helps the child and the doctor track progress.
- Involve them: they can help put the sheets in the laundry, without it being a punishment.
- Protect the mattress to take the drama out of it.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your pediatrician from age 5-6 if it bothers your child or your family. There are effective solutions (alarm, medication), to be decided together with them.
See a doctor sooner if your child had been dry for several months and starts again, if they also have accidents during the day, if it hurts when they pee, if they're very thirsty or drink an enormous amount, or if they snore loudly at night.
And what about sleep?
A child who sleeps poorly at night (open mouth, snoring, waking up) is often tired and then sleeps even more heavily. Parents sometimes tell us about these two concerns together. Regular, quiet sleep with good nose breathing is part of the basics: see how many hours should a child sleep.
What about the pillow? It doesn't fix bedwetting. But it helps the head stay well placed and the mouth closed, for nose breathing during the night.
The Lymphelia Kids Posture Pillow has a center dip and neck support, in 3 heights by age, to keep the head in line with the back all night.
Discover the Kids Posture Pillow100-night trial · Free shipping · Which size? Take the quiz
Frequently asked questions
My 4-year-old still wets the bed. Is that normal?
Yes, at 4 it's still very common. Doctors speak of enuresis from age 5.
My 7- or 8-year-old wets the bed. What should I do?
Talk to your pediatrician: at this age, there are effective solutions. In the meantime, no punishment, few drinks in the evening, bathroom before bed.
Should I wake them at night to take them to the bathroom?
It can prevent an occasional wet bed, but it doesn't teach their body to wake up on its own. Ask your pediatrician for advice.
Should I put them back in nighttime diapers or pull-ups?
It can help in a pinch (vacations, a sleepover), but talk it over with your child and your pediatrician if it goes on.