When wet nights look like they are going to be around for a while, the first shop is short. You need one good waterproof mattress protector, a couple of washable bed pads, overnight pull-ups in the right size, a pack of wipes, a barrier cream, and something to deal with the smell in the wash. That is the lot. Everything else is fine-tuning.
The trap parents fall into is buying lots of one thing before they know what suits, or buying gadgets before the basics. Get the basics right and most nights look after themselves.
1. A waterproof mattress protector
This is the one item I would never skip. A wet mattress is expensive and almost impossible to dry properly. Buy a quiet, breathable one that fits your child’s mattress; the crinkly plastic-backed sort is cheaper but it announces itself every time they turn over. There is more in my guide to waterproof mattress protectors.
2. Washable bed pads
A bed pad sits on top of the sheet and catches most of a wet, so you swap a small pad in the night instead of remaking the whole bed. Buy two or three so there is always a clean one while the others are in the wash. See the bed pad guide for the ones worth the money.
3. The right overnight pull-up
Fit matters more than brand. A pull-up that is too small leaks at the legs; too big and it gapes. Get the size that matches your child’s weight, not their age. If your child has outgrown the supermarket sizes, my guide to overnight pull-ups for older children covers what comes next.
4. Wipes and a barrier cream
A pack of large, fragrance-free wipes and a barrier cream keep night changes quick and skin comfortable. Keep them by the bed in a little basket so a 3am change is a two-minute job.
5. Something for the smell
Ordinary detergent does not always shift the smell of urine, because it is the wrong sort of cleaner for the job. A small bottle of an enzyme-based or urine-specific cleaner sorts both the wash and the odd accident on the mattress. I go into which ones actually work in this guide.
What you can skip for now
Alarms, special pyjamas and the like all have their place, but not in week one. Get the bed protected and the nights calm first. If you are weighing up reusable against disposable over the longer run, this honest cost comparison will help once you have found your feet.
Common questions
Do I really need both a mattress protector and bed pads?
Yes, and they do different jobs. The protector is your insurance for the mattress itself; the bed pad sits on top and catches most accidents so you change a small pad rather than the whole bed. Together they save you the night-time strip-down.
Pull-ups or no pull-ups to start?
Most families find a well-fitting overnight pull-up takes the pressure off everyone while you work out the bigger picture. It is not giving up; it is buying calm nights. You can step back from them later.
How much should I spend at the start?
Less than you might think. One good protector, a couple of washable pads, a pack of pull-ups and the skin bits will see you through the first month or two. Buy the reusable items once and well; buy the disposables in small packs until you know what suits.
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