How To Stop Bedwetting In Older Children

Even though bedwetting is embarrassing, it is prevalent among the kids. Nocturnal enuresis, as it is known medically, is a process of urination in kids after the age of 5 years. According to a study, more than 15% of children between the ages of 8 and 11 experience this, with the tendency being higher in boys than in girls. While children learn to handle this naturally, it could be discomforting when they have to go for sleepovers. A small percentage of teens in the age group of 13 and 14 years might also have this problem.

This condition is medically known as enuresis or urinary incontinence. It is called diurnal enuresis when children wet their bed during the daytime. If it only happens at night, it is called nocturnal enuresis. Let’s have a look at some of the numbers – (1)

• Age 5: 16%
• Age 6:: 12.5%
• Age 7:: 10%
• Age 15::1 to 2%

Here are a couple of practical tips you could try to help your kids stop bedwetting.

Tips To Help The Kids Stop Wetting The Bed At Night

1. Reduce the water intake during evenings

Shift the intake of fluids to the daytime. Increase the consumption of fluids earlier during the day and slowly reduce the intake as evening falls. This will help prevent the bladder from getting full during the evening, thus reducing the chances of bed wetting at night.

2. Create schedules for regular urination

Make it a habit to get your child to urinate every 2 to 3 hours. Get your kid to urinate before hitting the bed. But it is advisable not to wake the kid in between the sleep once for urination as kids could become restless and frustrated, worsening the entire condition.

3. Try to avoid foods that stimulate the bladder

Studies suggest that kids who eat chocolate or drink cocoa or hot chocolate before bedtime are more prone to nocturnal enuresis than kids who drink plain milk. It is also advisable to refrain from offering artificial flavorings, food dyes, sweeteners, sugars, and citrus juices during the evenings. This could help in preventing and, eventually, stopping bedwetting in children.

4. Avoid deep-fried and fatty foods

Deep-fried foods like French fries and burgers accentuate the thirst, forcing the kids to gulp more liquids. Try to avoid foods like cheese also during dinnertimes as these also are considered to be thirst enhances. You should also avoid using refined flour during dinner as it could irritate the bladder, worsening bedwetting!

5. Check for constipation

Many a time, constipation could be the underlying factor for nocturnal enuresis. The rectum is correct at the back of the urinary bladder, so constipation triggers incontinence. Studies suggest that 33% of the children who suffer from this bedwetting have constipation as the underlying factor.

6. Reward your kids for dry nights

Choose a reward system. It could be a small toy, a nearby park trip, coloring books, or puzzles. Try to refrain from giving chocolates or biscuits. Choose something creative and exciting so that you can encourage them to keep continuing the dry nights!

7. Do not punish

Punishing is a no-no when it comes to training the kid. Punishment might instill a sense of aggressiveness in some kids, making them indulge in wetting the bed intentionally. So, better refrain from scolding and punishing the kids!

8. Check for any underlying conditions

Bedwetting could be a sign of underlying conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea. So, visit a doctor to rule out any such health issues. Never try over-the-counter drugs that promise to help, but the kids resume bedwetting as soon as you stop the medications. Plus, these medicines could come with some problematic side effects. So, if you suspect something beyond the ordinary, please visit the doctor.

10 Home Remedies for Bedwetting in Children

Here are some natural and safe remedies that you could try to avoid bedwetting in children.

1. Cranberries

These tarty fruits are well-known for their power to heal urinary tract infections. However, studies suggest that kids who consume cranberry juice before bedtime tend to have lesser chances of indulging in bedwetting as they have the properties to soothe the bladder and trigger enuresis.

2. Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener with many health benefits for humankind. It is one of the most effective grandma’s remedies to cure bed wetting. Add 1 tsp of honey to 1 glass of warm milk half an hour before bedtime to eventually stop this habit.

3. Bananas

While scientific evidence supports this, it is believed that potassium in bananas helps prevent bladder irritation. Make your kids eat 2 bananas a day to cure bedwetting.

4. Raisins

These are sweet treats kids would love to munch on. And they are beneficial in curing bedwetting, too. A handful of raisins before bedtime could help teach noticeable changes within months.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most effective natural cures for bedwetting in children. Add about half a teaspoon of cinnamon to a glass of warm milk. Alternatively, mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey and give it to your child an hour before bedtime to ease and stop the nocturnal wetting of the bed.

6. Jaggery

Jaggery elevates the body’s temperature due to its thermogenic nature. This, in turn, prevents the urinary bladder from synthesizing urine. Encourage your child to eat about 1 tsp powdered jaggery before bedtime for a couple of months to see the changes.

7. Olive Oil

Give your child a gentle massage with olive oil in and around the abdominal region. This massage is said to induce a heating effect on the body, thus preventing the kid from urinating during the night in the bed.

8. Fennel Seeds

Heat one glass of milk with half a teaspoon of fennel seeds and honey till the mixture turns glossy. Allow the mixture to turn warm, and give this to your kid regularly to end bedwetting forever.

9. Indian Gooseberry

A mixture of Indian gooseberry, turmeric powder, and honey effectively eases nocturnal enuresis. Mix 1 tsp gooseberry juice with a pinch of turmeric powder and 1 tsp honey. Give this mixture to the child every morning to help develop bladder control.

10. Sesame seeds and Bishop’s weed(Ajwain)

Add 36 grams of jaggery 24 grams of sesame seeds, and 12 grams of ajwain. Make a thorough mixture out of it. Give this mixture to the child two times a day. Each dose should be 6 grams. It may take a few days before the results can be seen.

Even though all the above-mentioned natural remedies are considered safe, it is always advisable to take your doctor’s advice before experimenting with something. Let the doctor decide if the child requires the help or if he would outgrow this problem with age.

Is bedwetting a hereditary problem?

Scientists have discovered the gene for enuresis. If one of the parents used to wet the bed during their childhood, there is a 25% chance of the kid doing the same. It increases to 65% if both parents had enuresis in their early days.

Bedwetting is quite natural, and children will outgrow it eventually. Be a little patient and allow nature to take its course. It is always better to be safe than to repent later! Children outgrow this habit as 16% are affected by it at 5, which comes down to 2% by 15.

Take care, don’t panic, and stay safe!