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The Role of Diet and Evening Routines in Managing Bedwetting 

What role does diet and one’s evening routines play in bedwetting? Both can affect bedwetting. Avoiding caffeine and reducing liquids before bed can help.  

WEB-528 – The Role of Diet and Evening Routines in Managing Bedwetting

Does your child wet the bed every now and then? Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is pretty common in childhood. As many as 10 percent of 6-year-olds still wet the bed. Most kids grow out of it. But, until they do, it can be pretty stressful for both parents and kids.  
 
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to manage bedwetting. Paying attention to your child’s eating and drinking habits and evening routines are two of those things. Here’s what you need to know.  

What Is Bedwetting? 

Bedwetting occurs when a person — usually a child accidentally urinates while sleeping. Most kids stop wetting the bed around the age of six, but some kids wet the bed until they are 12 or older.  
 
In most cases, bedwetting is not a serious condition. However, it can cause a lot of emotional turmoil for a child. They may feel embarrassed, sad, or anxious. Many avoid sleeping over at friends' houses.  
 
Kids who wet the bed can’t control it, and they aren’t doing it on purpose. They are not lazy. Most of the time, bed wetting is caused by genetic factors. It’s a good idea to visit your child’s pediatrician if they consistently wet the bed. In some cases, bedwetting can be a sign of an underlying disease, like diabetes or sleep apnea, although the likelihood of that is small. 

Dietary Changes and Bedwetting  

You might have read various articles about limiting spicy foods or citrus to prevent bed-wetting. However, there’s little evidence to support these claims. Bedwetting isn’t caused by any specific food or drink — however, there are a few exceptions.  
 
There are a few dietary factors that have been linked to bedwetting. One of those is caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it causes the bladder to produce more urine. Besides that, caffeine can disrupt sleep. Experts recommend that children who wet the bed avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine is not only present in sodas but it can also be found in:  

  • Chocolate  
  • Hot chocolate  
  • Tea  
  • Caffeinated waters  
  • Energy drinks (Red Bull, Celsius)  

Another dietary factor that is linked to bedwetting is drinking liquids before bed. It’s important for your child to stay hydrated. Therefore, encourage them to drink plenty of water and other fluids in the morning and afternoon. However, two hours before bedtime, start tapering your child’s consumption of fluids. This will ensure that their bladder is empty before bed.

Evening Routines to Manage Bedwetting

Changes to your child’s evening routine can help control bedwetting. From more frequent bathroom breaks to regular bedtimes — here are some evening routine strategies that really work.  

  • Encourage two bathroom breaks right before bed: Have your child use the restroom 30 minutes before bed and then again a few minutes before bedtime. This is called “double-voiding” and it will help the bladder empty completely.  

  • Stick to a regular bedtime: Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can benefit any child with incontinence issues. The regularity helps your child learn to empty their bladder at appropriate times.  

  • Keep a bed-wetting journal: Record bed-wetting instances, and keep track of possible triggers. This can help you identify factors that are linked with bedwetting for your child.  

  • Remind your child to use the toilet at night: Some children wet the bed because their bladder is smaller than normal. Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night can help these kids stay dry. So, go ahead and encourage your child to get up and use the bathroom during the night. You can set a regular overnight alarm to help them wake up.  

  • Consider nighttime bedwetting underwear - These fit like regular underwear and are made especially for kids who wet the bed. They help them stay dry the entire night. Bedwetting underwear can help eliminate wet sheets and interrupted sleep.  

  • Make bedtime relaxing: Bedwetting can be mentally distressing. A child who wets the bed may have a lot of anxiety and stress surrounding bedtime. They may be nervous about the possibility of wetting the bed once again. This anxiety can make them even more likely to wet the bed. To ease worry, make sure the bedroom environment is peaceful and relaxing. You can achieve this with calming bedtime scents like lavender and dim lighting.  

  • Create a calming bedtime routine: A relaxing routine might include the following: taking a bath and brushing teeth, turning off all electronics, doing a kids' meditation practice, reading a book, dimming the lights, and going to the potty.  

  • Use bedwetting alarms: These small sensors are effective at reducing bedwetting. They attach to your child’s clothes or sheets. At the first sign of moisture, they sound an alarm, which wakes your child up to go to the bathroom.  

  • Be sympathetic: Try to understand how your child is feeling. Bedwetting is embarrassing enough as it is. So, don’t make it harder for your child by lecturing them about wetting the bed. If you notice that your child appears stressed before bed, talk to them and reassure them that you are there to help.  

  • Celebrate the wins: Praise your child when they practice their bedtime routine consistently. Also, offer praise for nights when they are dry. Helping with cleanup also deserves praise.  This will help build their confidence.  

Besides changing your child’s bedtime routine, there are some things that you can do during the daytime to help with bedwetting. One of those things is to encourage consistent bathroom breaks. Many kids make last-minute dashes to the bathroom. They become accustomed to waiting until the need is very urgent before going — even at night. If using the bathroom at regular times becomes routine, then it might reduce bedwetting at night.

More Dry Nights  

Bedwetting can be a tough challenge to deal with. But, it doesn’t have to ruin your or your child’s evening. Making small changes in your child’s diet and evening routine can go a long way toward controlling —and ultimately defeating bedwetting.  

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Written by

Dr Aqsa

As a Medical Doctor, Dr Aqsa, uses her knowledge to craft complex medical information that is understandable to the general public. For years, she has tried to improve health literacy and empower readers with valuable health knowledge through her articles, blog posts, and educational materials.

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