Bedwetting and Poor Daytime Toilet Habits

Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) occurs when a child who is 5 years or older cannot control his or her urination at night. It’s a type of dysfunction that can happen due to overactive bladder. In some children, it may be a delay in maturation and will eventually go away with age.

There are other zillion reasons why a child wets the bed at night. These reasons could vary from medical to emotional to a child being a deep sleeper or change in their daily routine like moving to a new place or having a new sibling. But one of common factors for bed-wetting or is poor daytime toilet habits. Research shows that children who have poor daytime toilet habits or those who are constipated have greater chances of bedwetting at night.

Most parents may not think that there child has day time toilet issues. However, that can be due to when a child is forgetting to use the toilet when they are engaged in other activities or due to illness. Parents must observe if your child dribbles during or after toilet trips or if your child has to use toilet immediately or does your child spend enough time on the toilet to completely empty his or her bladder or does your child holds urine to the last minute and then squirms, squats or clenches his legs.

A lot of the time children wait till the very last to urinate. During the day these children tighten their sphincter muscles or rush to the toilet to prevent an accident. However, at night during sleep they cannot clench or tighten their muscles and end up bedwetting. A bedwetting alarm helps stop nighttime wetting in your child. They build brain bladder connection and slowly your child wakes up in the night before they wet the bed. You can choose a wearable bedwetting alarm for children or a bedside bedwetting alarm for teens and adults.

How to develop good daytime toilet habits?  

• Remind your child to use the restroom at regular interval during the day. If your child is at a daycare or school seek the help of the provider or the teacher.
• Encourage your child to completely empty the bladder during the day.
• Have your child avoid drinks and food with caffeine it can stimulate the bladder.
• Serve bladder-friendly foods and drinks like pumpkin seeds, cranberry juice, diluted squash, and water.
• Before bed time ensures your child your child definitely uses the toilet.
• Ensure your child is not constipated as a full rectum irritates the bladder.
• Buy a vibrating reminder watch for them.
• Explain to your child the importance of good toilet habits.

Sometime just correcting day time toilet habits can help reduce bedwetting accidents at night. For the safety of your mattress from unwanted leaks use waterproof mattress pads. Speak to your child why inculcating good daytime toilet habits are important and healthy.