Why “Waiting It Out” Doesn’t Work for Bedwetting (And What to Do Instead!)
If you’ve been told to just “wait it out” when it comes to your child’s bedwetting, you’re not alone. Many parents are reassured that their child will eventually outgrow it. While that’s true for some kids, for many others, bedwetting doesn’t just go away on it’s own - and waiting too long can actually make it harder to fix.
Here’s why waiting isn’t the best approach- and what you can do instead to help your child wake up dry.
The problem with “Just Wait, They’ll Outgrow It”
It’s true that some kids naturally stop wetting the bed as they grow. But research shows that if a child wets the bed every night, they are less likely to outgrow it quickly.
The stats:
Only 15% of kids stop bedwetting on their own each year
50% of 10 year olds who wet the bed still struggle with it as teenagers
Some kids continue bedwetting into adulthood if left unaddressed
So while waiting works for some, it’s a gamble for others- and if your child is wetting the bed regularly at age 5 or older, it’s worth taking proactive steps instead of hoping for the best.
Why Does Bedwetting Last So Long for Some Kids?
Bedwetting isn’t caused by laziness or a child “not trying hard enough.” It’s usually the result of a few key factors:
Deep Sleep Cycles - Some kids sleep so deeply that their brain doesn’t wake up when their bladder is full
Weak Bladder Signals - Their body isn’t yet recognizing the feeling of a full bladder at night
Hormone Delays - The body naturally produces a hormone (vasopressin) that slows down urine production at night. Some kids take longer to start producing enough of it.
Constipation issues - A full bowel can press on the bladder, making accidents more likely (this is a huge hidden cause!)
We often see that there are two or more causes happening simultaneously.
Simply waiting doesn’t fix these problems- it just prolongs the struggle.
What to Do Instead of Waiting
There are simple, proven ways to help your child’s body learn to stay dry overnight. Here’s where to start:
Hydration Training (Yes, Drinking More Water!)
Many parents are told to cut back on water before bed, but this can actually make things worse. Instead, kids need to drink plenty of water throughout the day so their bladder becomes stronger and more flexible.
Fix Sleep Patterns & Wake-up Awareness
If your child sleeps too deeply, they won’t wake up when their bladder signals them. The goal is to train their brain to recognize bladder pressure before an accident happens.Our program teaches you how to use Guided Imagery, plus extra tips to regulate hormones and make bathroom trips a breeze.
Check for Constipation
Even if your child poops daily, they might still be holding onto waste- and that can press against the bladder, making it harder to hold urine overnight.
Signs of hidden constipation:
Hard or pebbly poop
Skipping days between poops
Large, difficult bowel movements
Diarrhea
Solution: Keep them hydrated, encourage morning bathroom trips, include proper fats and fibers in their diets, and in some cases we might consider a stool softener.
The Bottom Line: Take Action Instead of Waiting
If your child is 5+ and still wetting the bed regularly, don’t just wait and hope it goes away. Small habit changes can make a big difference!
If you’re looking for a step-by-step approach that helps kids wake up dry naturally, take a look at our Time to Get Dry Program - I’d love to guide you through it!