Bedwetting in children - what to do?

What causes bedwetting in children?

Here are a few facts:

An estimated two out of ten five-year-olds are still not dry at night
Similarly, one in ten seven-year-olds still regularly wets the bed at night
Boys are twice as likely to wet the bed as girls

Although it's not unusual, nightly bedwetting can be stressful for a child over time, and no less so for the parents. While the problem resolves itself in most cases over time – we have nevertheless gathered some suggestions about the reasons for bedwetting in children and how you can best support your child.

Basically, you can distinguish between children who, for developmental reasons, are still not dry through the night at five or six, and those who were already dry and, for various reasons, suddenly start wetting the bed again. Both groups have different causes, often more than one.

No stress: How to behave when your child wets the bed

Don't scold: Waking up in a wet bed is unpleasant for any child, especially if it happens often. Don't increase the pressure by scolding your child. The question "Why isn't it working?" is unlikely to be something your child can answer. Better: remake the bed together and agree that maybe it will work the next night.
Be patient: It's not unusual for a four-year-old to still need a diaper at night, even if they are long dry during the day. So don't set your goals too high. Allow your child to become dry at their own pace and expect small setbacks.
Don't assume intent: If you have to take out fresh bedding from the closet for the third night in a row, it can easily seem like a deliberate provocation. But: your child is very likely bothered by the bedwetting just as much as you are.
Sleeping without a diaper: Of course a diaper is practical. But if your child is of primary school age and still not dry at night, a diaper tends to delay the problem rather than solve it. Thin pull-up pants often help with the transition. They can be pulled on and off like underwear and are much thinner than baby diapers.
Don't wake them to pee: Experience shows that waking children at night to take them to the toilet has little effect on them becoming dry. It can, however, unsettle the children and reinforce the feeling that something is wrong.
Find possible causes: If your child suddenly starts wetting the bed again, major changes or traumatic experiences can be the cause. Try to explore such causes together and help your child process the changes, instead of criticizing the bedwetting.
See a pediatrician: If your child is of primary school age and still frequently wets the bed at night, you should consult a pediatrician to rule out possible medical causes.