Bedwetting In 5 To 7 Years Olds

Accidents at night when you’re 5 or over can feel all kinds of stressful! The good news is that there’s a lot you can do as a parent to help and support your child. A good start is to try and understand some of the facts around bedwetting, why it happens and what it means. With this knowledge, you can set about making a plan of action.

There’s nothing unusual about five to seven-year-olds having accidents at night. Many children are having dry nights by the time they go to school, but around 15% of five-year-olds still wet the bed.

Children don’t pee in the bed on purpose. The most common cause is a neurological developmental delay. In other words, the child’s brain and bladder aren’t yet fully connected: their nervous system is slow to process the feeling of a full bladder and they don’t wake up in time to go to the toilet. It is a developmental stage that most children will grow out of.

The older the child, the more anxious they will feel about wetting the bed, and the more anxious the parent will feel about trying to help.

With love, patience, kindness, and reassurance. It goes a long, long way to help. Just remember it’s not their fault, this is all normal and they will grow out of it. They just need time, and your support.

It’s not always easy to talk to your big kid about such a big topic. Here’s a few tips which may help:

• It’s important not to avoid the issue – open up the conversation.
• Let them know they are not alone and it’s not their fault.
• Explain it’s just a phase and they will grow out of it. Like losing their teeth!
• Compare this to growing tall – kids do everything at different rates. Their body is just playing catch-up.
• Empower them to take control. Let them decide between staying dry with Goodnites® Nighttime Underwear and Goodnites® Bed Mats or other options to help them manage.
• Normalize the action plan by letting the family know
• Keep the conversation going, encourage them to tell you how they are feeling

Keeping your child in Goodnites® Nighttime Underwear will keep them comfortable even if they do pee in their sleep. Staying dry will help their self-esteem and confidence (and help with washing overload!).

Here’s a ready-made action plan to help you beat bedwetting!

1. Encourage your child to drink water regularly throughout the day (taper off at night)
2. Limit sweet and bubbly drinks, especially ones containing caffeine
3. Avoid foods high in salt and dairy products at night
4. Make sure your child goes to the toilet before bed
5. Use Goodnites Nighttime Underwear to help keep your child and their bed dry throughout the night.
6. Use Goodnites Bed Mats to keep the bed fresh and dry.
7. Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.
8. Don’t lift sleeping children to take them to the toilet during the night as this reinforces to the child that it’s ok to wee in their sleep.

Don’t get angry or punish your child for wetting the bed and never make fun of them—no matter how light-hearted you think it may be.

Talk with your child about what they should do if they wake up in the night and need to go to the bathroom. Should they go to the bathroom on their own or call out to you?

It’s also a good idea to create a clear and well-lit path between their bed and the toilet. A small night light and your support is the best solution for a child who is scared of the dark.

Most cases of primary bedwetting are nothing to worry about, but it’s recommended to consult your doctor if:

• Your child is older than 6 years old and wets the bed twice a week or more
• You notice bedwetting is starting to have a negative impact on their relationships, and emotional wellbeing
• Your child is visibly distressed or disturbed by wetting the bed
• They begin to wet their pants during the day
• You notice any other physical or emotional disturbances of any kind

If in doubt, it is always recommended to see your doctor for advice. Even if it is just for peace of mind.

Secondary bedwetting is when your child has been dry at night for a while – six months at least – and then starts to wet the bed again. There may be an underlying reason that needs addressing. Causes may include: a urinary tract infection (UTI); diabetes; a physical abnormality; sleep apnoea; stress.

If your child is experiencing secondary bedwetting, book an appointment with your doctor. Although most cases are caused by emotional stress or a psychological trauma, it is important to first rule out any physical causes.

In the meantime, the best thing you can do is support your child through the bedwetting phase. Together, you can get there!