Most parents will have had a child wetting the bed and once the child is of an age to know better this becomes an infrequent occurrence, only happening when they are ill or unhappy. Occasionally it is caused by a child being a very heavy sleeper or as a result of pressure on the bladder. In the latter case, if it persists, professional advice should be taken for reassurance as there may be a long-standing and unnoticed problem. It is my opinion that the worst thing you can do when a child wets the bed is to make a fuss the blow up the whole thing out of proportion which will only exacerbate the problem. Many people believe that bedwetting has its cause in a lack of calcium and magnesium so ensure that plenty of good green stuff, milk and yoghurt are included in the diet. Avoid refined foods and additives, particularly ‘junk foods’.
Children need a lot of exercise, both physical and mental, but they do not need problems and if you think that a nasty niggling worry is at the bottom of this minor disaster try to get your child to tell you about it. Attention at night time, a story, a small game and plenty of kisses and cuddles to reassure may be tiring and time-consuming but they are far less so and far more rewarding than washing sheets. However as a last resort a rubber sheet under the bed linen to protect the mattress is a better alternative than the old –fashioned, beastly devices of tying a bandage around the child’s chest with a big knot in it to ensure a restless sleep or waking the child every hour or so to insist that they spend a penny which really can institute a major problem. One remedy which does appear to work very well on children is to massage the areas of the kidneys and lower abdomen with warm olive oil before bed. It is a very old fashioned and successful idea.
Both adults and children should exercise a little before bedtime to relieve pressure on the bladder. Some yoga positions are designed specifically to achieve this.
It is obviously foolhardy to give bedtime drinks to a child who wets the bed. Nevertheless soothing posses given half an hour beforehand will ensure dreamless sleep; it may be that nightmares, especially the ones which they cannot remember, are the problem. Make sure they spend a penny before tucking in .
- Hot milk A small cup of hot milk with honey and cinnamon is simple and soothing.
- Infusion of sweet corn and honey As in the case of asparagus and golden rod tea (both of which are recommended) this remedy should only be taken well in advance of bedtime. St John’s wort and plantain made into a small tea will also help. Adults should take lady’s mantle tea.
- Cream of tartar Dissolve 1 teaspoon in 500ml (1pint0 of boiling water and sweeten with honey and lemon. Take by the small glass. This could possibly be preferable to Epsom salts but both may be especially effective when constipation is causing the problem. Good home remedy for bedwetting.
- A long-term remedy Take 15g (1/2oz0 of nettle seeds and 50g (2oz) of fresh rye flour, pound them to a paste with honey and form into small cakes. Bake them in a low oven until cooked. Eat one every evening until the problem stops which should be no longer than three weeks. One of the effective home remedies for bedwetting.
