It’s inevitable that at some point in your toddler’s potty training they will wet the bed. Bedwetting is a common problem but a very unwelcome one for both infant and parent. In this article we’ll look at how you can make life easier for you and your toddler when they wet the bed and waterproof sheets to prevent damage to the mattress.

Why do toddlers wet the bed?

Bedwetting is known medically as ‘nocturnal enuresis’ and the term usually defines wetting the bed when over the age of five. It is common for toddlers to wet the bed as they have yet to learn how to control their bladder. This is a process which they learn while being potty trained.

There are two types of bedwetting. Primary nocturnal enuresis occurs when the child has never fully developed night-time bladder control while secondary nocturnal enuresis is accidental wetting after having bladder control for six months or more – this is typically caused by emotional stress such as problems at school or in the home.

In the majority of cases, bedwetting is just part of the process of learning when to use the toilet at the right time whether it’s day or night. It may take a few weeks or months for your child to stop wetting the bed during this time.

What to do when your toddler wets the bed

If your toddler wets the bed, it is important to remain calm and not to tell your child off for doing so. Learning bladder control over night is a slow learning process.

Even when your child appears to have developed nocturnal bladder control and has stayed dry for months, there is always the chance they can return to bedwetting. This can be triggered by a change in sleep habits or stresses caused by moving home or going to playgroup/

It is important to support your child and make wetting the bed as stress free as possible. Here are a few tips to help:

1. If your child wets the bed, don’t scold them for doing so. They didn’t mean to do it.

2. Have a spare set of bedding ready and some spare bed clothes in your child’s room. You don’t want to be rummaging around the house during the night looking for spares.

3. Use a waterproof sheet and mattress protector under the top sheet. They are designed to absorb moisture, protect the bottom sheet and the mattress.

Bibs n Stuff Quilted Sheet Protector

For added protection, you can even place a PVC sheet directly on the mattress itself.

Clippasafe Waterproof Mattress Sheet

4. When your child wets the bed, don’t make a big fuss about the accident as your toddler can become anxious about what they’ve done.

5. As you potty train your child, always praise them when they use the potty whether it’s day or night.

6. When potty training, use nappies or training pants during the night for a few weeks.

Staying dry throughout the night will take your child longer than during the day because they need to learn how to recognise the signals of having a full bladder while asleep. They will soon learn to either wake up and use the toilet or hold on until the morning. However, do not not attempt to put your toddler to bed without a nappy until they have mastered staying dry during the day.

By the age of five or six years-old, around 85% of children have stopped wetting the bed but if your child continues to wet the bed after this age don’t worry too much. Speak to your healthcare professional and explain the problem. They may recommend an enuresis alarm which sounds when the bed becomes wet. This eventually conditions your child to wake up when they need to go.

Related articles:

Toddler sleeping safety

Baby/toddler first aid kits and advice

Potty training products