Practical Tips to Handle Bedwetting

Bedwetting is one of those parenting challenges that is rarely talked about, but many families quietly navigate. If your child is waking up with wet sheets, you are far from alone. Bedwetting is a normal part of development for many kids, and while it can be frustrating or even worrisome at times, it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Here is how you can handle bedwetting and incorporate some simple steps that can make a big difference at home.  

Start with reassurance that bedwetting is normal  

• Many children experience bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis; it is considered a normal developmental variant until age 5, and remains common in school-age children, affecting approximately 15% of 5-year- olds and decreasing gradually with age.
• Explain this is a normal part of development that many children grow out of once they mature.  

Create a calm and supportive environment  

• Bedwetting can already be a source of embarrassment, so parents should avoid punishment or frustration when a wet bed happens. 
• Normalize the conversation so your child feels safe coming to you when it happens.  
• Use positive reinforcements to encourage consistent bedtime routines! Rewarding with something small, like a treat or 10 minutes of extra screen time can help motivate your child. When using a reward chart, focus on behaviors your child can control, such as using the toilet before bed or limiting evening fluids. 

Keep consistent routines  

• Encourage your child to have regular bathroom trips during the day and to use the restroom before bed.  
• Develop a soothing nighttime routine to reduce stress or anxiety.  
• Address constipation of present; a full rectum can place pressure on the bladder and worsen bedwetting.
• Consider limiting fluids, especially caffeinated or sugar-sweetened beverages, 1-2 hours before bedtime; ensure your child drinks, adequate fluids earlier in the day to stay well hydrated.

Pro tip: Implementing practical solutions can also help you feel more prepared for potential mess. Using mattress protectors and keeping extra pajamas ready will eliminate stress from a late-night clean up.  

Know when to contact your child's pediatrician 

• If your child begins wetting the bed again after six or more consecutive dry months, this is called secondary enuresis, and warrants evaluation. It can be associated with a unitary tract infection, constipation, diabetes, sleep apnea or psychosocial stress. 
• Also reach out if bedwetting is a accompanied by daytime symptoms such as urgency, frequent accidents or pain with urination or if it is significantly affecting your child’s emotional well-being. 

Bedwetting can feel like a long, messy season, but it’s just that: a season. Most children outgrow it naturally, and what they’ll remember most isn’t the wet sheets or late-night cleanups, but how safe and supported they felt through it all. By approaching the process with support, understanding and consistent routines, you’re giving your child exactly what they need to build confidence and move forward at their own pace. 

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Dr. V. Sushma Chamarthi, MD, FAAP, DABOM

Primary Care Pediatrician, Dakota Pediatrics

Dr. Chamarthi is a dual board certified pediatrician and obesity medicine physician at Valley Children’s Healthcare. She is passionate about helping families build healthy habits that last a lifetime.