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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bedwetting school residential help

17 replies

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:01

Hi,

Looking for some advice. My DS just turned 9 is due to go on a residential in May. He occasionally (about once every two months) wets the bed, he’s a very deep sleeper so if he’s drank too much it could happen. We have to make sure he doesn’t have too much liquid too close to bedtime. I’m wondering whether there’s anything he could wear that nobody will notice. The best I could find were some black absorbent shorts but they don’t hold much liquid (he has a big wee when happens!). He’s also happy to take the risk so not sure what the best thing to do is and not wear anything.

School are very aware of it and have a process in place if it does happen which he’s been informed about.

Has anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks

OP posts:
Changedasouting · 26/02/2026 22:04

Can you set an alarm to remind him to stop drinking before bed time

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:07

That’s a good idea! I can do that and hope he leaves his watch on (often forgets it)

OP posts:
foggyday90 · 26/02/2026 22:07

Have you looked into medication eg. Desmopressin. It used to be available as a nasal spray but I think is now a tablet. I struggled with bed wetting as a child and this was very effective for me and meant I didn’t need to worry in such circumstances.

IsThisACrazyThoughtDec25 · 26/02/2026 22:07

Adult pull up under pj's for peace of mind? A waterproof mattress protector sheet for staff to fit discreetly before bed time?
Spare pj's and a wet bag.
Make sure school know and plan with him how he will handle a wet bed eg stripping it.
Am a teacher and there is always at least one on residential with this issue. It is very normal.

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:08

We have thought about it but didn’t feel it was frequent enough plus he’s never stayed away. Maybe I should look into it. Did it have any side effects?

OP posts:
happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:10

@IsThisACrazyThoughtDec25Thanks. We have put all of those things in place apart from the pull up. He won’t wear one if it looks like a nappy.

Reassuring to hear it’s common. His teacher said the sam.

OP posts:
foggyday90 · 26/02/2026 22:11

No side effects for me but obviously I can’t speak for everyone. I only used it on the odd occasion when I wanted to be absolutely sure like sleepovers or camp. You do have to restrict fluids for a certain length of time before bed IIRC.

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:15

@foggyday90 thanks. I didn’t realise it was something you could use on the odd occasion.
He is usually fine if he doesn’t drink too much. He can get a bit annoyed if we restrict his liquid so I can see him forgetting if he’s busy with his mates!

OP posts:
RantyMcGee · 26/02/2026 22:23

We were advised by the bladder and bowel nurse to pack 2 identical sets of pjs. That way if they need to, it’s not obvious that they’ve had to change. And letting the teacher know so they can restrict fluids, do discrete toilet reminders (twice in last 15 mins before bed) and make a plan with him for sorting any wet bedding. We also pack a bin bag for any wet bedding/pjs to come home in. But we have found that ours sleeps pretty lightly on a sleepover or residential and is more likely to bed wet the night she’s back in her own bed afterwards.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 26/02/2026 22:24

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:08

We have thought about it but didn’t feel it was frequent enough plus he’s never stayed away. Maybe I should look into it. Did it have any side effects?

Yes, definite side effects for our son. He didn't pee for hours after he woke up and then threw up the day after he took it. We only tried it once! He went to cub camp later and was, luckily, fine and didn't wet the bed while there.

TheUsualChaos · 26/02/2026 22:33

DS is the same and we still get him out of bed most nights and sit him on the toilet at about 10.30pm and then we know he's fine for the rest of the night. He barely wakes when we do this as he sleeps so deeply. Just wondering if that's something the teachers could do, just to gently wake him before they go to bed and get him to go for a wee? There is no way my DS would wear a pull up again or any other sort of pants he's not used to.

happybirthdayjism · 26/02/2026 22:42

@RantyMcGee thanks, that’s a good idea about the pyjamas and bin bag, will do that

@Cyclistmumgrandma aw that’s not good. I hadn’t considered medication as it’s now quite infrequent and it is getting less often

thank @TheUsualChaos I could ask them, the only thing is is that he’s so deeply asleep he’d have to be carried. We did used to do the same but I struggle to lift him!

OP posts:
Plasticdreams · 26/02/2026 22:46

Make sure he’s on the bottom bunk too

BionicEar · 26/02/2026 23:10

My tips, as a parent having had more than one child with incontinence issues who regularly go on camps etc are as followed:

Wear fleece pjs as these will be more absorbent than other type of pjs. This only works if child is not a “hot temp” sleeper as will be uncomfortable otherwise. Take spare pjs with same design so other kids do not notice change in clothing.

If won’t wear fleece buy dark coloured pjs so not as obvious if wet self.

if they are sleeping in sleeping bag, can you send him with a spare identical one that staff can swap out whilst the other is washed/dried?

I highly recommend Brolly Sheets Waterproof Sleeping bag liners. They’ve been an absolutely godsend when ours have slept away from home. You can find them on Amazon. They aren’t cheap but do add an extra layer of protection against the sleeping bag getting wet (as long as don’t wriggle out of it!) If other kids ask about the liner, mine just say it gives an extra layer of warmth and help to keep sleeping bag clean.

Ypu can get pants that are for incontience but most won’t hold a full wee. I’m yet to find one that works for my mine who go for it big time, and sleep through it!

Mine took pull up pants (can get older sizes) that they packed inside pjs and spares were inside wash bag/suitcase easily accessible but not obvious to other kids they shared with.

Let staff know your child potentially wets the bed, and ask that they can ensure child has access to shower if wets self. Let your child know which staff they can approach for support if needed.

You may find your child is ok, as often when away from home less accidents happen.

Might be worth checking out ERIC website to see if they have any other recommendations.

Hope your child has a great trip.

happybirthdayjism · 23/03/2026 23:11

Thanks so much everyone, great tips x

OP posts:
Anotherwine · 23/03/2026 23:17

Sent mine with tena and they were fine to sort selves it / be shown where bin is in morning etc

Pureclass · 23/03/2026 23:27

Mine is slightly different as he has a permanent catheter (which sometimes leaks) and wears an overnight bag to catch the urine...which is of course extremely obvious.

Before that he was in nappies until 8ish

But on trips we have always asked that he be in a room with his closest friends.

It might be worthwhile asking if he can share with his best friends so that if it did happen they will have his back if they do notice. From our experiences little boys are fabulous at understanding not everyone is the same (things are school are being taught better than in our day) and friendship groups do tend to watch each other's backs

Practically a Kylie sheet (less than £10 on amazon) on the bed will hold about 3 litres of fluid and with dark pj's will help him get away with it.
We've had 2 litres urine bags burst and they are so effective the duvet hasn't even got wet

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