The Ultimate Bedwetting Guide For Parents

Are you ready to tackle bedwetting? Is your child eager to stay dry at night? Time to stop spending £££ on pull-ups? Our Ultimate Bedwetting Guide for Parents will help you get started! 

What is bedwetting? 

Bedwetting is an involuntary wetting of the bed during the night. The medical term is Nocturnal Enuresis.

⭐ Primary Enuresis is the term for children who never stopped wetting the bed.

⭐ Secondary Enuresis is the term for children who were dry overnight for at least six months, but started to wet the bed again.

Bedwetting is very common and, according to The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity, it affects approximately half a million children and teenagers in the UK. It's more common in boys than girls, but it can affect anyone. It can be upsetting for children and can take a toll on their social life and self-esteem. But with good preparation, help and understanding, bedwetting won't seem so overwhelming!

What causes bedwetting

Bedwetting often runs in families. If both parents experienced bedwetting as children, their child has a high chance of experiencing it too. Bedwetting shouldn't be ignored because in rare cases it can be caused by an underlying medical condition. If urinating is causing your child pain, or they are urinating more often than usual, you should consult your GP immediately to check for a urinary tract infection.

Bedwetting is also more common amongst children with autism and Down Syndrome.

You can read more about bedwetting causes. 

How to help with bedwetting 

Whether you have found the cause of bedwetting, or are awaiting a GP consultation, there are things you can do immediately to support your child. Try encouraging your child to go to the toilet 4-7 times a day and encourage them to drink water throughout the day. This will also help if bedwetting is caused by constipation! Try ditching the nappy or pull-ups altogether. Some children don't care about wetting a nappy; it doesn't feel as wet as wet pyjamas. If the child is scared of getting up in the middle of the night to use the toilet, try using a nightlight. Don't forget to prepare well and protect the child's mattress using washable bed pads. 

There are other things you can do to help with bedwetting.

How to look after your child's mattress

Bedwetting can quickly damage your child's mattress. Cleaning a mattress is time consuming and impractical during the night. Plus, moisture creates mould so frequent washes are not recommended. The good news is that thanks to PeapodMats you can say goodbye to overnight bed changes and mattress clean-ups! PeapodMats are quick-change, washable bed pads that protect your child's mattress night after night.

Find out more about looking after your child's mattress.

Choosing safe, washable bed pads

Now that you know what bedwetting is and how you can help, you can concentrate on choosing safe, washable bed pads. PVC mattress protectors are the cheaper option, but they're not the safest due to nasty materials they contain! PVC mattress protectors are also crinkly and uncomfortable. Not to mention how difficult they are to change when an accident occurs! PeapodMats are different. They lie on top of the bedsheet and stay in place without straps, so you can quickly whisk one away and replace with another. They are also eco-friendly and contain no nasty materials! PeapodMats quickly absorb up to 1 litre/6 cups of liquid. To compare: the adult bladder can hold up to 2 cups of urine at one time.

PeapodMats are discreet, easy to wash and quick to dry, which makes them perfect for holidays and sleepovers!

What if you've tried everything but bedwetting continues...

Some children grow out of bedwetting by themselves. It's recommended to speak to your GP if you're worried or your child is really upset. They might offer tests, medication or recommend using a bedwetting alarm. If your child attends school, school nurses are also available for bedwetting advice. 

As a guide, you should seek medical advice if:

• your child still wets the bed at 7 years old
• your child starts wetting the bed after being dry for a few months
• your child is very thirsty, experiences pain during urination, has pink or red urine, or has hard stools.

When contacting a GP, it's worth writing down how many times a week your child is wetting the bed, how many times a night, approximate time of bedwetting and note if your child wakes up when they've had an accident. 

We sincerely hope that this guide has helped you understand bedwetting and how you can help. We wish you all the best on your journey to dry nights! Meanwhile, don't forget to check out PeapodMats to protect your child's mattress.

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.