Unfortunately nighttime continence does not work in the same way as daytime training – nighttime wetting typically happens when children are asleep and are not in conscious control over their bladder, making it more difficult to train a child to become dry at night. The most common cause of nighttime wetting is a neurological-developmental delay. Young children whose nervous systems are still forming may not be able to know when their bladder is full. Consequently, they do not wake up in time to go to the toilet. Time and patience are often keys to success. If he continues to wet the bed once he turns seven I would certainly think about talking to a doctor about more formal interventions to help him to become dry. These are not typically recommended for younger children due to the high spontaneous recovery rate and the demands placed on children and parents for a successful outcome. If however his bedwetting starts to become an issue for him (or his mother) then I would certainly recommend you consult with a medical professional with expertise in managing nighttime incontinence. Until then I would introduce him to DryNites rather than nappies. You can explain that these are for big boys who go to school, and definitely not something babies are allowed to wear.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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