How to approach bedwetting and sleepovers
Sleepovers are an exciting experience for kids, but if they’re not completely confident with staying dry through the night, they can be stressful.
However, with a few simple tips, you can help your child feel ready to enjoy sleepovers and trips away with their friends or family.
5 bedwetting sleepover tips for your child
#1 Let the host know your child may not stay dry at night
If your child can be persuaded, think about letting a trusted teacher, friend’s parent or carer know about the problem so they can be ready to help if needed.
If they do need help, then they know there’s someone they can talk to and trust, should they have an accident.
#2 Get kitted out
Help your child pack DryNites® Pyjama Pants, extra clothes and spare pyjamas—just in case.
Have them practise wearing DryNites® Pyjama Pants under their actual underwear or pjs and using DryNites® Bed Mats for extra protection too. Our Bed Mats are easy to use and discreet, with a Stick & Stay Put adhesive layer that secures them to the bedding. Put plastic bags somewhere handy too, so they can quickly stuff used pyjama pants, wet underwear or pyjamas into them.
#3 Help them keep protection private
If your kid will be using a sleeping bag, you could suggest they keep their
DryNites® Pyjama Pants or spare pyjamas at the bottom of their sleeping bag. This means they can then put them on in private.
If they are not taking a sleeping bag, they could do the same thing by putting their pyjama pants or pyjamas at the bottom of the bed, or inside a pillowcase.
#4 Remind them to go to the toilet right before bedtime
A simple one, but always a good thing to remind your child before their sleepover. You should also encourage them to ask and go to the toilet during the sleepover. Having an adult there who knows the situation can make this much easier too.
#5 Remind them to drink
You might feel like a broken record, but remind them to drink plenty of water during the day and not to drink too much right before bed. Ideally they should try to avoid drinks an hour or so before bed.
What to do if you’re hosting a sleepover for a child who wets the bed
When the sleepover invitation goes out to parents, ask them to let you know if their child struggles staying dry. Think of it as another little extra to the normal questions you’d ask about food allergies, contact details, and pick up times.
Once you know, both parties can work together to try to manage any accidents.
Top tips for helping a child who has an accident at your child’s sleepover
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Get all the kids to go to the toilet before tucking in.
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Make sure they all know where the toilet is.
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Keep landing lights on during the night.
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Check your little guest is in their DryNites® Pyjama Pants without drawing attention to them.
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Have spare sheets/pyjamas/DryNites® Pyjama Pants/DryNites® Bed Mats to hand in case beds need to be stripped quickly.
In the event of an accident, offer encouragement and understanding to the child. Bedwetting is a common part of their development, and nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.
In fact, 15% of kids age 5-7 wet the bed at night. And while that does decrease with age, 2–3% of 12–14-year-olds and 1–2% of people aged 15 years and older wet the bed twice a week on average.
“I wet the bed at a sleepover—what do I do?”
This one’s for you, kid.
Start by speaking to an adult—a parent, a teacher, or family member—and tell them. They’re there to look after you just as much as the other kids. Before you know it, you’ll be dry again, worry-free and ready to wake up awesome the next day!
Reassure them they are not alone
Your child won't be the only one anxious about wetting the bed away from home, and neither will you. For more reassuring support and ideas, explore our advice on night-time accidents and bedwetting tips.
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