Bed Wetting Problem

My son is 10 years old, still has the problem of bed wetting. Is there any diet which can help. Please suggest
(October 11, 2010)

Medically, bed wetting is termed as nocturnal enuresis. Bed wetting in boys is more common than that in girls. Although most parents get concerned when their child is bed wetting, it is important to know that one of the best bed wetting solutions is to deal with it patiently.

Some of the causes of bed wetting in children include a partially developed bladder that is not able to contain urine produced during the night. Also, if you child is a deep sleeper, he or she may not be able to recognize that the bladder is full.


Some children may bed wet due to stressful situations or a new environment. In addition, a hormonal imbalance, where the child’s body is unable to produce an anti-diuretic hormone that slows urine production at night may also lead to bed wetting. A urinary tract infection may also be a cause. Bed wetting can also be one of the first signs of juvenile diabetes. A family history of bed wetting or medical conditions like ADHD can also lead to nocturnal enuresis. Sometimes, if a child is emotionally disturbed he/she may experience bed wetting.

Bed wetting in adults. Bed wetting in adults may occur due to bladder disorders. The decreased production of anti-diuretic hormones may lead to increased production of urine at nighttime. Individuals suffering from diabetes or kidney disorders and those suffering from sleep apnea are also prone to bed wetting. Medications used to treat schizophrenia, sleep disorders, and epilepsy are known to cause side effects like bed wetting. Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol and smoking may act as irritants to the bladder, causing increased urine production. Smoking may weaken the bladder and decrease its capacity to hold urine. UTI or urinary tract infection may also lead to bed wetting in adults.

• Bed wetting remedies. Most children will outgrow bed wetting after a certain age. However, here are a few bed solutions that may help.
• Limit fluid intake, especially after dinnertime. Consult your doctor about your child’s daily fluid intake needs and proceed accordingly.
• Encourage your child to use the bathroom before bedtime and during the night. Place a night lamp to illuminate the way between the child’s bed and bathroom. Fear of darkness may be one reason why your child does not want to get out of bed at night.
• Avoid any caffeine-based products like sodas or colas in the evening, which may lead to a full bladder at night.
• Bed wetting due to constipation can be avoided through medication like stool softeners.
• Further, medication may be needed in some cases like hormonal imbalance, infection or sleep disorders. However, do not resort to any medication without consulting your doctor first.
• Use a moisture alarm. Most moisture alarms are set to buzz when your child starts urinating. This may help to awaken the child and go to the bathroom. In case your child is a heavy sleeper, you may have to listen to the
  alarm and help your child.

One important aspect of all bed wetting solutions is to not scold or punish your child for bed wetting. Praise your child on dry mornings. Most children may suffer from low self-esteem due to bed wetting problems. You do not want to protract the problem further.

Bed wetting is one of the most common pediatric related problems. A lot of children suffer due to this disorder. It is caused mainly by a neurological disorder where the body simply does not pick up the signal to urinate while sleeping. It is also caused due to genetics or some sort of hereditary factors.

There are numerous causes for Bed wetting. The latest research and findings revealed that bed wetting can be a psychological or a diet related problem.

Firstly remember as a mother, do not be harsh on your son if you find out about his recurring bed wetting problem. The latest studies have shown that any negative behavior towards the child often aggravates the problem instead of solving it.

Bed wetting can be caused due to digestive problems such as constipation. Encourage a lot of fibrous foods in your son’s diet. Fiber is usually found in a lot of fruits and vegetables and they help to flush harmful toxins from the body. Prevent your son from having sweets, especially artificial sweeteners, which are present in a lot of processed juices and carbonated drinks. Children at your son’s age generally have a craving for chocolates but they can upset your son’s condition further. Please be careful of foods like corn, dairy products like milk and cheese and eggs as these foods can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore these foods are a strict no-no. Also remember not to include any packaged or processed food in your son’s diet.

Also avoid giving any liquids to your child before bedtime as this might lead to bed wetting in the night. Also I would recommend you to take your child to a specialist pediatrician for giving you the best medical advice. Usually your child needs to learn bladder control techniques and exercises, which in most cases can help to solve the problem. Some children cannot control their bladder movements due to lack of development of the bladder or a neurological disorder. This means the signals from your brain are not being sent to the bladder, which makes your son urinate while sleeping.

Remember bed wetting is a problem, which is found in small children ranging from ages 4-6. However if the problem persists, please contact your family pediatrician and seek the right medical attention. You also need to support your child and make him feel comfortable. This gesture itself can make a world of difference for him and also in the long term help him get rid of the problem.