Home Remedies for Bedwetting
It’s every child’s hurdle to clear – getting over the stage of wetting the bed. Some kids make the transition into sleeping soundly without having an accident quicker than others. From nightmares to physical factors, there are a handful of reasons that children wet the bed. However, parents have found ways to help their children successfully conquer this rite of passage with home remedies for bed-wetting.
What is Bed-Wetting?
Bed-wetting is the act of involuntarily urinating at night. The soaked pajamas and soggy, cold sheets quickly becomes a source of instant embarrassment as a child gets older. Some parents blame their toilet training skills, but this is not the cause. Bed-wetting is a developmental stage that your child will eventually overcome.
Bed-wetting does not only affects children, as adults (even in their 20′s) can suffer from what is called ‘secondary enuresis.’ It is uncommon and most often is an indicator of a more serious condition, such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, urinary tract infection, or diabetes. In rare cases, acute anxiety or other emotional disorders can contribute to adult bed-wetting.
Other facts concerning bed-wetting include [1]:
• Approximately 15 % of children wet the bed after the age of three.
• Boys are more likely to wet their beds than girls.
• Bedwetting actually runs in families.
• A common myth is that most bed-wetters have emotional problems, which is not true.
What Causes of Bed-Wetting?
In the majority of cases, a bladder that is developing slower than normal in a child is the main cause behind wetting the bed. A high level of anxiety concerning bed-wetting can also contribute to the problem. Life changes are also known to spark a phase of bed-wetting, including losing a loved one, divorce, moving to a different city, or a new addition to the family. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder [2].
Bed-Wetting Home Remedies
It seems like a no-brainer…but you’ll be surprised how many parents slip and let a child that wets the bed drink before they go to sleep or forget to remind them to go to the bathroom one last time. Home remedies for bed-wetting often focus on establishing effective habits and routine. There are also a few oral home remedies some parents have found success with. Suggestions include:
a) Easy on the Liquids:
Having too much liquid in the bladder is not the only reason why a child wets the bed. However, limiting the amount of liquid they consume before going to sleep gives them a little extra time before bedwetting will take place.
b) Avoid Watery Foods:
Some parents ignore the water content of the foods they may give their children before bedtime. Certain items, such as soup, many fruits and vegetables, and even yogurt, can contribute increased liquid in the bladder.
c) Avoid Foods and Drinks with Caffeine:
Coffee is not the only beverage or food that contains caffeine. Chocolate, hot cocoa, brownies and chocolate ice cream all contain caffeine, which can act as a diuretic that stimulates the bladder to generate more urine. It’s suggested to avoid giving foods and drinks to bedwetters just before nighttime.
d) Alarm Clock:
A way to train the brain to wake up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (and instead of in the bed) is to use an alarm clock. Set the alarm to buzz during the times your child typically wets the bed.
e) Orange Blossom Honey:
Some parents have sworn by giving a child one tablespoon of orange blossom honey every night before they go to bed to break the habit of bed-wetting.
f) Parsley:
Some say to eat parsley before going to bed to decrease the frequency of bed-wetting in the middle of the night.
g) Encourage Constant Urination:
Make the gentle suggestion throughout the day and evening for your child to urinate once every two hours to get used to routine urination.
h) Cranberry Juice:
Interestingly, there have been accounts of treating bed-wetting with 6 to 8 ounces of cranberry juice given one hour before a child retires for the night.
i) Urinary Retention Techniques:
Yes, there are actually bladder-stretching “exercises” that can help strengthen the muscles that control urination, as well as increase the elasticity of the bladder. This home remedy for bed-wetting is best used for older children who can learn how to practice retention control, where they wait a little longer to urinate during the day [3]. The child should start off practicing to control their bladder for a few minutes, and then gradually increase the amount of time.
j) Good Ol’ Fashioned Patience:
Children cannot help it when they wet the bed. As a parent, it’s tempting to get into the habit of praising dry nights and calling attention to the ‘accidents.’ Adopt a non-reaction policy until your child has passed this phase. It will help lessen the overall anxiety associated with bed-wetting.
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Resources
[1] http://sanmateo.networkofcare.org/mh/library/detail.cfm?id=463&cat=39
[2] http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Bedwetting§ion=Facts+for+Families
[3] http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bladder/enuresis.html#
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