Published in Pjama Care
If your child wets the bed at night, it’s easy to start questioning yourself.
Are we doing something wrong?
Should they have grown out of this by now?
Why does it seem so easy for other children?
These thoughts are incredibly common – and completely understandable.
But the most important thing to know is this:
Bedwetting is not your child’s fault. And it’s not a parenting failure.
Bedwetting is more common than many people think
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, affects many children.
At age five, around one in five children still wets the bed at night. For some, it continues longer – and that can be perfectly normal.
Children develop bladder control at different speeds, especially at night. Just like learning to walk or read, it doesn’t follow a strict timeline.
What actually causes bedwetting?
Bedwetting is rarely caused by one single factor.
Instead, it’s usually the result of how several things interact during sleep.
Some of the most common contributing factors are:
The body produces a lot of urine at night
Some children produce more urine during the night than their bladder can comfortably hold. This is linked to how hormones that regulate urine production mature over time.
The bladder sends signals too early
In some children, the bladder contracts before it’s full, creating a need to empty earlier than expected.
The brain doesn’t wake the child in time
Many children who wet the bed sleep very deeply. The signal from the bladder doesn’t wake them up in time to go to the toilet.
None of these factors are things a child can control.
They are part of how the body and brain develop.
“Deep sleep” does not mean laziness
A common myth is that children who wet the bed are “sleeping too deeply” because they are careless or lazy.
In reality, deep sleep is often a sign of healthy brain development.
For some children, the connection between bladder signals and waking up simply matures later – and that’s okay.
Why waiting it out doesn’t always feel right
Many children do become dry on their own over time.
But for others, bedwetting becomes emotionally challenging long before it resolves naturally.
Children may start to:
- avoid sleepovers
- worry about school trips
- feel embarrassed or different
- lose confidence
If bedwetting affects your child’s wellbeing, it’s not “too early” to seek support – even if the body is still developing.
What helps most in everyday life
While there is no quick fix, some principles consistently help children and families:
- Calm reassurance – accidents are not failures
- Removing blame – bedwetting is not something a child chooses
- Predictability and routines – especially around bedtime
- Support, not pressure – motivation grows when children feel safe
Feeling understood often reduces stress for both children and parents – and stress itself can make nights harder.
How Pjama can support, without pressure
The information above stands on its own.
Some families, however, choose additional support to make nights feel safer while the body matures.
Pjama’s bedwetting pants and shorts are designed to:
- provide discreet protection during sleep
- reduce worry about leaks
- help children participate in everyday activities like sleepovers and trips
For many families, this added security helps children focus less on accidents – and more on being kids.
A final reminder
Bedwetting is not a sign that something is “wrong” with your child.
It’s a developmental challenge that looks different for every family.
With understanding, patience, and the right support, most children do become dry over time.
You’re not alone – and your child is doing their best.
