The Pjama Waterproof Mattress Pad is part of an expanded bedding protection range from Pjama, the award-winning Swedish brand best known for its waterproof pyjama pants. If you have looked into bedwetting protection products, you have probably encountered Pjama before — this mattress pad sits at the base layer of their recommended system and does one job: keeps the mattress dry. Whether it is the right product for your family depends on how you intend to use it and what else you have in place.
What the Pjama Mattress Pad Is — and Is Not
The mattress pad is designed to sit directly on the mattress, underneath the fitted sheet. It is not an absorbent layer. It will not soak up urine. Its purpose is purely to create a waterproof barrier between whatever happens above and the mattress below.
This is worth stating clearly, because a number of parents buy it expecting standalone overnight protection and are surprised when the sheet and bedding are still saturated after a wet night. The mattress pad does exactly what it says: it protects the mattress. It does not manage the wet event itself.
Pjama are transparent about this. They explicitly recommend combining the mattress pad with either their Pjama Pants or their Pjama Bed Mat — or both — for complete protection.
Construction and Design
The pad is constructed in two functional layers:
- Upper quilted layer — soft fabric that sits next to the sheet, adding a degree of comfort underfoot and reducing the clinical feel you get from cheaper PVC-backed protectors.
- Waterproof backing — a breathable membrane that prevents moisture passing through to the mattress.
An elastic band runs around the perimeter, allowing it to grip the edges of the mattress and stay in place through the night. In practice, parents report it holds its position well — a meaningful advantage over flat-lay pads that migrate and leave gaps.
Two sizes are available: 70 x 140 cm (suitable for a cot or small single mattress) and 90 x 200 cm (standard single). If your child is in a larger bed or a bunk bed, the 90 x 200 cm should cover a standard single frame adequately.
Noise and Feel
One consistent observation from parents is that the waterproof membrane, as with most waterproof products, can produce a faint sound under compression — particularly noticeable when a child rolls over. It is quieter than older-style crinkle-sheet protectors, but it is not entirely silent. For children with sensory sensitivities, this is worth considering before purchasing. If noise is a known issue for your child, test any waterproof product with them during the day before committing to overnight use.
How It Fits Into a Protection System
Pjama’s own recommendation is to layer their products:
- Mattress pad — on the mattress, under the sheet. Protects the mattress.
- Fitted sheet — over the mattress pad, as normal.
- Bed mat — on top of the sheet, under the child. Absorbs urine and protects the sheet from saturation.
- Pjama pants — worn by the child. First line of containment.
This layered system is sensible. In practice, many families will not use all four components simultaneously — some will use the mattress pad alongside non-Pjama pull-ups or pants, or pair it with a bed mat from a different brand. That works equally well. The mattress pad itself is brand-agnostic in function; it does not require other Pjama products to be effective as a mattress barrier.
If you are struggling to understand why overnight leaks keep reaching the mattress despite using pull-ups, our article on why overnight pull-ups leak explains the mechanical reasons — and why a backup mattress layer is often a practical solution regardless of which product your child wears.
Washing and Durability
The mattress pad is machine washable at 60°C, which is the standard recommended temperature for hygiene when dealing with urine. Pjama advise against tumble drying or ironing the waterproof layer, which is standard care guidance for any product with a waterproof membrane.
Durability through repeated washing is, in the long run, where premium waterproof products either justify or fail to justify their price. Pjama’s products are designed to withstand regular washing cycles, though — as with all waterproof membranes — the effectiveness of the backing will degrade over time with heavy use. Having two pads (so one is always available while the other is drying) is worth factoring into your budget if wet nights are frequent.
Who This Product Works Well For
- Families wanting genuine mattress protection without the bulk and crinkle of older PVC protectors.
- Children who are already wearing some form of absorbent product overnight and need the mattress protected against the occasional leak-through.
- Parents using a layered protection approach and wanting a reliable base layer that stays put.
- Families who are also using or considering Pjama Pants, since the system is designed to work together.
Where It May Not Be the Right Choice
- If you need absorbency at mattress level. A traditional quilted, absorbent mattress protector will soak up more urine than this pad — which absorbs very little on its own. The Pjama pad protects; it does not absorb.
- Children with significant sensory sensitivities to noise or texture. The membrane noise under movement may be noticeable. Worth testing before committing.
- Budget-limited families who need absorbency and protection in a single layer. There are absorbent waterproof mattress protectors available at lower price points that combine both functions, albeit with less refined construction.
- Non-standard mattress sizes. Only two sizes are offered; if your child is in a king-size, cabin, or bunk bed with a non-standard mattress, fit may be imperfect.
Understanding your child’s specific leak pattern — where urine pools, how much volume is involved, and whether leaks are reaching the mattress through the product or around it — will help you decide what you actually need at each layer. Our guide to front, back and leg leak patterns can help you read the evidence and choose accordingly.
Price and Where to Buy
The Pjama Mattress Pad is available directly from pjama.com, which ships to the UK. Some specialist bedwetting and continence retailers also stock Pjama products. Pricing is in the premium tier for mattress protectors — check the Pjama website directly for current UK pricing, as costs vary by size and retailer.
It is worth comparing the cost per use across the expected duration of your child’s bedwetting, particularly if wet nights are nightly. A more expensive but durable product often offers better value in the long term, especially if it can withstand frequent washing and use.