There are lots of theories about why kids wet the bed. Most experts agree that heredity is the biggest reason kids wet the bed - but there may be other causes of bed wetting that might be more under our control. If not, and we just have to wait for heredity to run its course, our kids will wet the bed until they reach some magical age. Any parent whose child has wet the bed regularly is probably anxious to find a faster remedy than time.

Here’s some information about how food and drink may make kids wet the bed.

Wet the Bed Food #1: Chocolate
Oh no! Say it isn’t so! Well, actually it’s not necessarily chocolate that makes kids wet the bed; it’s the caffeine in the chocolate. What does caffeine do? It stimulates the body, including the bladder. So that evening cup of cocoa or slice of chocolate cake may make your child wet the bed. (Gosh, now I’m craving chocolate!)

Soda - Drink it, and wet the bed?
All those bubbles may make her wet the bed! Bedwetters typically have immature bladders, and carbonation doesn’t help. Even soda-drinking adults know that can of Pepsi means a trip to the bathroom. If the soda has caffeine, or a lot of sugar, it’s even worse.

Will They Wet the Bed if They Eat Citrus?
Oranges, grapefruits, and juices from these two Floridian beauties can be pretty harsh on some people’s digestive systems. They may be rough on your child, too. The citric acid may make them wet the bed. Take a look at how much orange juice and citrus your child eats and drinks. If you limit it, your child may not wet the bed.

Will They Wet the Bed if They Eat Spicy Stuff?
All the exciting take-out foods - Chinese, Thai, and Mexican in particular - have tons of hot spices. They may pack more punch than we know, causing your child to wet the bed. It’s an easy experiment to limit these foods and see what happens.

Will They Wet the Bed if They Have Food Allergies?
I’ve heard of people whose children are allergic to everything from eggs to wheat, and have to say that dealing with one who’s wet the bed is nothing compared to the trouble they have to go through just to feed their children. Couple a serious food allergy with bedwetting, and it’s enough to make you want to retreat to the bath tub for the next ten years! Some allergies cause bladder spasms - which of course, means your child will wet the bed. It’s not just food, either. Some people are really sensitive to preservatives, dyes, and other additives. It doesn’t seem that the only effect of a food allergy would be bedwetting, though. So don’t throw out all your groceries just yet. But if your child has multiple challenges, it’s something to consider. You may have to shop around for an allergist - so be prepared.

So what do you do if you discover your child’s wet the bed because of a food sensitivity? It’s not like being allergic to a cat - get some shots or send Fluffy to live with Grandma. You’ll have to enroll your child’s compliance on this (so what else is new?). Get your child to see the value, the what’s-in-it-for-me of staying away from what may be a favorite food. Dry nights are pretty valuable - and your child may come to see the tradeoff as worthwhile. The sensitivity may be temporary, too - and that should help. After all, just the thought of never being able to eat chocolate is cruel and unusual punishment.

Tags: baby, kids, bed wet, food allergies, parenting

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