Coping Methods For Night-Time Incontinence

Nighttime incontinence is also known as nocturnal enuresis or bed wetting. It refers to a condition in which there is involuntary or uncontrolled urination while you are asleep. This occurs at an age when staying dry at night is expected.⁽¹⁾

When it comes to small kids wetting their beds, please do keep in mind that kids do not deliberately do it to irritate their parents. You need to be patient and understanding about it. Try to work through this problem together with your child. There may be a need to implement several strategies for the treatment to be effective.

The treatment strategies may include-

• If you feel that your child is experiencing any anxiety or stress, gently encourage him to share his feelings with you.
• Once these problems are taken care of, any bed- wetting happening due to these reasons will reduce or stop
• Your pediatrician might be able to suggest some additional strategies for you for dealing with stress.⁽²⁾

• Keeping tools and things needed for an easy clean up handy can save a lot of stress, emotionally and physically, for your child
• Keep your child’s bedding covered with protective cover, make him wear thick underwear so that the urine gets absorbed⁽²⁾

• If it is age-appropriate, you may ask your child to help rinse his underwear or pajamas with water and keep aside for washing’
• Taking such responsibility may make him feel more in control of the situation.⁽²⁾

• Praise your child’s efforts for following a bed-time routine and helping you clean up
• Discourage other siblings from teasing him⁽²⁾
• If such an encouragement, support, understanding, and reassurance is given, the child is sure to experience dry nights in his near future⁽²⁾

Some lifestyle changes and home remedies can help you reduce nighttime incontinence. These may include-

• There is no need to restrict fluids in eth day as it is Nighttime to get enough fluids to meet a day’s quota.
• Evening fluids can be restricted so that there are lesser chances of nighttime incontinence.
• However, if the child engages in a physical activity like dance or sports in the evening, then the evening fluids should not be restricted⁽²⁾

• Caffeine stimulates the bladder
• It is especially to be avoided in children of any age and at any time during the day, especially so in the evenings⁽²⁾

• To double void means to urinate before the beginning of the bedtime routine and then again just before going to bed.
• Tell your child that it is ok to use washrooms at night
• Use night lamps to help your child to find his way to the bathroom⁽²⁾

Using the toilets regularly throughout the day, every two hours or so, so that the feeling of urgency is not developed, is a good way to encourage toilet training and avoiding accidents⁽²⁾

• Ask your child or help him to wash his genitals and bottom with water every morning.
• Using a moisture barrier to protect the skin may be helpful⁽²⁾

Nighttime incontinence may go away in most kids on its own and may not require any kind of treatment. A few kids, however, may require a little help to gain control over their bladder. There may also be an underlying medical condition which may be responsible for the night- time incontinence. Various treatment strategies, lifestyle changes, home remedies, and coping methods can help you to get rid of urinary incontinence.

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Also Read:

• What Is Mixed Incontinence And How Is It Treated?
• Nighttime Incontinence or Nighttime Bed Wetting: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Alternative Treatment, Lifestyle Changes
• How To Diagnose Night-Time Incontinence & What Is The Best Medicine For It?