You’ve cut back on nighttime drinks, cheered them on with every dry night, and made sure they hit the bathroom before bed — but still, the sheets are wet come morning. It’s frustrating, confusing, and can feel like you’re missing something.
The truth? You’re not alone. Bed wetting — or nocturnal enuresis, as it’s called in medical terms — affects between 15 to 25 percent of 5-year-olds and still impacts about 1 to 2 percent of teens in the U.S. If your child is one of them, here’s what’s going on and what you can do to help.
Understanding Bed Wetting
There are two main types of nocturnal enuresis:
- Primary enuresis: This is when a child has never had full nighttime bladder control.
- Secondary enuresis: This happens when a child who was dry at night starts wetting the bed again after six months or more of staying dry.
So why does this happen? It comes down to communication between the brain and bladder. Normally, when the bladder fills up, nerves signal the brain — and the brain tells the body to either hold it or wake up to go. But for some kids, that connection isn’t quite reliable yet. There could also be other physical or emotional factors at play.
What Causes Nocturnal Enuresis?
There isn’t just one reason bed wetting happens. Some common causes include:
- Hormonal factors: The body produces a hormone called ADH at night to slow urine production. Some kids don’t make enough of it while they sleep.
- Bladder issues: A small bladder or one that has involuntary spasms can lead to wet nights.
- Genetics: If you or your partner wet the bed as kids, your child might be more likely to as well.
- Sleep difficulties: Deep sleepers may not wake up when their bladder is full.
- Dietary triggers: Caffeine in tea, chocolate, soda, or certain foods can increase urine production.
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, urinary tract infections, constipation, and spinal issues can all contribute.
- Emotional stress: Big life changes — like moving, a new sibling, or school anxiety — can trigger secondary enuresis.
Treatment Tips: What Can You Do?
Helping your child stay dry starts with a few practical steps:
- Limit fluids in the evening — especially caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
- Always use the bathroom before bed — make it part of a calming bedtime routine.
- Use positive imagery — have your child visualize waking up dry. This mental practice can really help.
- Stay encouraging — avoid shame or frustration. Patience and support are more effective than pressure.
- Ask your doctor — in some cases, a medication that boosts ADH levels may be recommended.
Parental Dos and Don’ts
As you’re helping your child navigate this, a few strategies can make a big difference:
DO:
- Encourage daytime hydration. A reusable water bottle at school can help prevent evening overload.
- Make bathroom access easy. If you have bunk beds, put your child on the bottom bunk.
- Protect the bed. Consider a metal frame over wood, which resists staining and damage better.
- Support morale. A damaged bed or constant cleanups can affect your child’s self-esteem.
DON’T:
- Don’t punish or scold. This can increase stress and make things worse.
- Don’t wake them for bathroom trips. It disrupts sleep and can lead to exhaustion and resistance.
- Don’t treat this as intentional. Bed wetting is involuntary and not something kids can control.
The Bottom Line
Most kids outgrow bed wetting on their own, but that doesn’t mean you have to just wait it out. A little understanding, some smart habits, and a lot of compassion can go a long way. Talk with your pediatrician if you’re concerned — together, you can find a solution that keeps your child dry, happy, and confident.