Your child has mastered daytime toilet training. They're wearing underwear, using the toilet independently, and you're celebrating this huge milestone. But then bedtime arrives, and you're back to nappies or pull-ups. Sound familiar?
Night-time toilet training is a completely different journey from daytime training. It's not about teaching or practice. It's about physical development and patience. This guide will help you understand when to start, what to expect, and how to protect your child's bed during the process.
Why Night-Time Training is Different
Here's the most important thing to understand: night-time dryness is a developmental milestone, not a learned skill.
During the day, your child can recognise the urge to go and make it to the toilet. At night, their body needs to develop the ability to either hold urine for 10-12 hours or wake up when their bladder is full. This is controlled by hormones and bladder capacity, not willpower.
Key differences:
- Daytime training: Learned behaviour and awareness
- Night-time dryness: Physical development and hormones
This is why some children achieve night-time dryness quickly while others take years. It's not a reflection of your parenting or your child's abilities.
When Should You Start Night-Time Training?
The short answer: when your child's body is ready, not when you decide to start.
Signs Your Child May Be Ready
- Consistently dry nappies or pull-ups in the morning (for at least 2 weeks)
- Waking up dry from daytime naps
- Going 10-12 hours without weeing at night
- Waking up to use the toilet on their own
- Age 4-5 years or older (though some children take longer)
If your child isn't showing these signs, they're simply not ready yet. And that's completely normal.
What's Normal?
- Most children achieve night-time dryness between ages 3-5
- 15-20% of 5-year-olds still wet the bed occasionally
- 5-10% of 7-year-olds experience bedwetting
- Boys often take longer than girls
If your child is under 5 and still wetting at night, there's absolutely nothing to worry about.
Should You Wait or Start Trying?
This is the question most parents struggle with. Here's a practical approach:
Wait If:
- Your child wakes up wet most mornings
- They're under 4 years old
- They're going through other big changes (new sibling, moving house, starting school)
- They're anxious about night-time training
Pushing before they're ready can lead to stress, shame, and setbacks.
Try If:
- Your child has consistent dry mornings
- They're asking to try sleeping without a nappy
- They're motivated and excited about it
- You're prepared for accidents without stress
The key is following your child's lead, not a timeline.
How to Protect Your Child's Bed
Whether you're actively training or waiting for readiness, protecting the bed is essential. Accidents will happen, and being prepared makes everything less stressful.
The Best Protection Strategy
Use a layered approach for maximum protection and easy clean-up:
- Bottom layer: Waterproof fitted sheet on the mattress
- Middle layer: Regular fitted sheet
- Top layer: Leakproof bed guard where your child sleeps
This setup means you can simply remove the soiled bed guard and get everyone back to sleep in under 2 minutes. No full bed changes at 2am.
We covered this strategy in detail in our guide on how to protect your child's bed during toilet training.
Why Bed Guards Work Better Than Mattress Protectors Alone
Traditional waterproof mattress protectors require stripping the entire bed when accidents happen. With a bed guard on top, you get:
- Quick changes without waking everyone up
- Targeted protection where accidents actually happen
- Comfortable, breathable fabric (no plastic feel)
- Easy to wash and reuse
Many parents keep a spare bed guard on hand so one is always clean and ready.
For a deeper comparison, read our article on leakproof bed guards vs waterproof mattress protectors.
Practical Steps for Night-Time Training
If your child is showing signs of readiness, here's how to approach it:
1. Set Up for Success
- Protect the bed with layers (as described above)
- Keep spare pyjamas and bed guards within reach
- Use a night light so your child can see the way to the bathroom
- Consider a potty in the bedroom for younger children
2. Establish a Bedtime Routine
- Limit drinks 1-2 hours before bed (but don't restrict completely)
- Encourage a final toilet visit right before sleep
- Make sure your child fully empties their bladder
- Stay calm and positive (no pressure!)
3. Handle Accidents Calmly
When accidents happen (and they will):
- Stay calm and reassuring
- Change quickly and get back to sleep
- Never punish or shame your child
- Remind them it's normal and their body is still learning
Your reaction matters. Children who feel ashamed about bedwetting often take longer to achieve dryness.
4. Consider Night-Time Training Pants
Some families use reusable training pants at night during the transition. They provide more protection than underwear but still let your child feel some wetness.
Others prefer to go straight to underwear with good bed protection. There's no right answer. Do what works for your family.
For more on this topic, check out our comparison of disposable vs reusable training pants.
What Not to Do
Avoid these common mistakes that can delay progress or cause stress:
Don't Restrict Fluids Too Much
Limiting drinks in the hour before bed is fine, but don't restrict fluids during the day. Your child needs adequate hydration, and severe restriction can actually make bedwetting worse.
Don't Wake Your Child to Use the Toilet
Lifting your child to the toilet while they're half-asleep doesn't teach their body to wake up when needed. It can actually delay the development of natural waking signals.
Don't Use Rewards or Punishments
Night-time dryness isn't something your child can control through effort. Rewards for dry nights can make them feel like failures when accidents happen. Punishments are harmful and ineffective.
Don't Compare to Other Children
Every child develops at their own pace. Your friend's child being dry at night at age 3 doesn't mean yours should be.
When to See a Doctor
Bedwetting is rarely a medical concern, but consult your GP if:
- Your child is over 7 and still wetting most nights
- Your child was dry for 6+ months and suddenly starts wetting again
- Bedwetting is accompanied by pain, excessive thirst, or daytime accidents
- Your child is distressed or their self-esteem is affected
In most cases, reassurance and time are all that's needed.
Managing the Laundry
Let's be practical. Night-time training means more washing. Here's how to make it manageable:
Keep It Simple
- Have 2-3 bed guards in rotation
- Store soiled items in a waterproof bag until wash day
- Rinse any solids immediately
- Wash with regular laundry (no special treatment needed)
- Air dry or tumble dry on low
The Right Supplies
Having enough supplies means you're never caught short:
- 2-3 leakproof bed guards
- 2 sets of sheets
- Extra pyjamas
- Waterproof bag for soiled items
If you want everything in one purchase, a leakproof sheet and bed guard set gives you both layers of protection.
Staying Positive Through the Process
Night-time training can feel like it takes forever. Here's how to stay patient:
Remember It's Not Your Fault
Bedwetting is not caused by:
- Lazy parenting
- Poor daytime training
- Your child being stubborn
- Not trying hard enough
It's simply physical development that happens on its own timeline.
Celebrate Small Wins
- Acknowledge dry mornings without making a huge fuss
- Praise your child for trying
- Focus on progress, not perfection
Take Care of Yourself
Middle-of-the-night changes are exhausting. Having the right bed protection means you can handle accidents quickly and get back to sleep. That matters for your wellbeing too.
The Complete Night-Time Training Setup
If you're preparing for night-time training or just want to protect your child's bed during the wait, here's what works:
Essential items:
- Leakproof bed guards for quick changes
- Waterproof fitted sheets for full mattress protection
- Training pants if you want extra protection
Complete bundle option:
If you're just starting the toilet training journey, Bobby's Complete Toilet Training Bundle includes training pants, bed protection, and a storybook to help your child understand the process.
For more on getting started, read our guide on preparing for your child's potty training.
The Bottom Line
Night-time toilet training is about patience, not pressure. Your child's body will achieve dryness when it's developmentally ready, usually between ages 3-5, though some children take longer.
Key takeaways:
- Wait for signs of readiness (consistent dry mornings)
- Protect the bed with layered bedding for easy changes
- Stay calm and positive about accidents
- Never punish or shame your child
- Consult a doctor only if concerned after age 7
With the right bed protection and a patient approach, you can navigate night-time training without stress. Your child will get there in their own time.
Ready to protect your child's bed? Explore our range of leakproof bed guards, waterproof fitted sheets, and complete bedding sets designed to make night-time training easier for Australian families.
