Tips to stop bedwetting

Bedwetting can be successfully treated. However, there are also things you can do at home to help. These tips are also a useful way to involve your child and can help them overcome the bedwetting.

Help your child by trying these tips at home.

These tips are also a great way to involve your child and this may help them overcome bedwetting.

Routine Read more

A good winding down routine each night may help the brain release a hormone (vasopressin) which helps reduce the amount of wee produced at night. Sleeping in a darkened bedroom and keeping a regular bedtime routine can also help release vasopressin. Keeping a routine of a regular bedtime can help your child have dry nights.

Water-based drinks Read more

Making sure your child is having enough fluids (at least six water-based drinks) evenly spaced throughout the day can reduce the risk of constipation. Ensuring their last drink is at least an hour before bed as it can also help with bladder function.

Caffeinated and fizzy drinks Read more

Avoiding fizzy drinks and caffeinated drinks (e.g. coffee, tea, cola, hot chocolate and energy drinks) may also help reduce the chances of bedwetting. Keeping tabs on what your child is drinking may help pinpoint whether any drinks are making the bedwetting worse.

Diet Read more

Ensuring your child has a healthy and balanced diet and is eating at the right times could help stop bedwetting. Avoid foods that are high in salt or protein in the hour before bed. While you are asleep, the body gets rid of extra salt and protein through weeing, so eating foods that contain lots of these before sleep could make the bedwetting worse.

Toileting Read more

Your child should go to the toilet as soon as they feel the need. Making sure your child goes to the toilet regularly throughout the day and just before they settle to sleep will help keep them dry at night. Ensuring your child has easy access to the toilet or potty during the night (such as keeping a potty or bucket in their room) can help.

No ‘night-time nappy’ trial Read more

Try without a night-time nappy, if you are using these, for three to four nights. If your child is wet, you can go back to them again while you wait for treatment. However, if your child is dry without them, then do not go back to using them. If the wetting returns, ask your doctor or nurse for help.

Rewards Read more

Many children need to be encouraged to make the changes suggested here that may help them become dry at night. Small rewards for the right behaviours such as drinking well in the day, using the toilet before bed and helping to change wet sheets can be used. However, rewards should not be given for dry nights, as this is something the child cannot control consciously. Instead verbal praise should be used following dry nights.

Patient diary

Completing the diary will help your child's doctor or nurse understand your child's bedwetting. Therefore, it may be helpful to complete this before the appointment with them.

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Discuss with your doctor

This discussion guide will help you to have a conversation with your child's doctor or nurse

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If you have specific questions or concerns, talk to your child's doctor, school nurse, health visitor or pharmacist.

Bladder and Bowel UK offer a confidential helpline. If you would like to speak to someone, email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or phone: 0161 214 4591. You can also visit this website for more information: www.bbuk.org.uk/children-young-people/children-resources.

Support, information and resources are also available from ERIC, The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity: www.eric.org.uk and their freephone helpline: 0808 169 9949

This website is intended for UK residents only.

Job code: UK-MN-2200009 I Date of preparation: May 2022