Nighttime Incontinence Guide - Everything You Need to Know

Incontinence at night, also known as nocturnal enuresis or adult bedwetting, is a condition where a person involuntarily releases urine during sleep. While we know it as a common problem among children, it can also affect adults, especially the elderly.

Nocturnal enuresis can be caused by a variety of factors, including simply genetics, neurological disease, general bladder control issues, sleep disorders, anxiety, or certain medications. It can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection, weak bladder muscles, an overactive bladder, or other health issues.

But worry not! Nighttime incontinence can be managed successfully if you build good habits and have a good routine. This nighttime incontinence guide is everything you need to know to help yourself or anyone else who deals with urinary incontinence during the night, including great add-ons to both your bedtime and morning routines!

Disclaimer - If you recently noticed incontinence-related issues for the first time, it's highly recommended to consult with medical professionals to determine if there are alternative options to treat the condition.

Bedtime Incontinence Routine

Everyone loves a good nighttime routine! What better way to tell your body that you are prepared to catch some well-deserved sleep? Here are a few steps you can simply add to your routine to be able to better control nighttime urinary incontinence:

1. Regulate your sleep

   It sounds easier said than done, but it would do wonders for your body's natural sleep-wake cycle to establish a consistent sleep schedule! This could keep you from waking up in the night needing to use the toilet, instead promoting deep, long sleep.

2. Limit fluids before bed

   This one is a no-brainer. Reducing fluid intake in the hours before going to bed, perhaps stopping a couple of hours before, will help avoid urge incontinence during the night. It's generally recommended to avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages if you're dealing with urinary incontinence as they're known bladder irritants, which could increase the likelihood of urine leaks or waking up to wet sheets if consumed before going to bed.

3. Make sure to empty your bladder before bed

   Whether you have a full bladder or not, take one last trip to the toilet right before hitting the sack. Old folklore even says that keeps away bad dreams- bonus!

4. Use high-quality incontinence products

   Have the right supplies in place to protect your bedding against an involuntary release of urinary incontinence while you sleep. Such products include absorbent underwear or adult diapers, as well as incontinence underpads to protect your bedding. If urinary incontinence during the night is a common occurrence, it's highly recommended to dispose of any used supplies first in the morning and replace them before you go to sleep!

5. Use a bedwetting alarm system

   Never heard of one? They're a thing, and they're not just for kids! A Bedwetting alarm is made up of two parts: a moisture sensor and an alarm. The moisture sensor is clipped to the underwear, where it is able to detect wetness and trigger an alarm. The alarm can also be clipped to the clothes, and it can be a buzzing sound, a recorded voice and/or a vibration. If you hear or feel the alarm system going off, you can walk to the bathroom to finish urinating!

Morning Incontinence Routine

Yes, managing nighttime incontinence isn't just about what you do before bed, but also what you do in the morning! Here are some steps to add to your waking-up routine:

1. Change out of any wet or soiled clothing

   First thing you should do when you wake up and have unfortunately wet the bed is change out of your wet clothing, or out of your soiled incontinence products (be it a diaper or a pad) and dispose of them properly. Also put your soiled clothing, if any, into the laundry!

2. Wash your skin

   Consider taking a shower or washing an area that may have been in contact with a wet sheet with gentle soap and water to avoid irritation or infection.

3. Put on a fresh incontinence product

   Change into a fresh pair of your preferred incontinence products, whether it's pads or adult diapers to manage any unforeseen urinary incontinence throughout the day.

4. Pelvic floor exercises

   Try to fit in some pelvic floor exercises throughout your day to strengthen the muscles that control bladder function, such as kegel exercises or yoga poses like the bridge pose. Over time, these exercises can help reduce bladder instability and reduce persistent bed wetting. Might as well fit them in the morning!

5. Drink a glass of water

   Drink lots of water when you wake up, or unsweetened cranberry juice, to help flush out your system, reduce symptoms and keep your bladder healthy.

6. Eat a balanced breakfast

   Eat a healthy morning meal that includes fiber-rich foods like whole-grain bread or oatmeal to help regulate digestion and reduce the risk of constipation, which can put extra pressure on your bladder. Dietary changes go hand in hand when dealing with incontinence, check out or post on what foods to eat and avoid when dealing with incontinence to learn more.

Key Takeaway - Choosing the Right Incontinence Products

Choosing the right incontinence product for nighttime use can make a big difference in managing it and getting a good night's sleep! There are lots of factors to consider when selecting the right product, such as, for starters: absorbency!

Look for products that offer adequate absorbency to manage your specific level of incontinence. If this is for overnight protection, choose products that have high absorbency ratings so you can ensure you don't deal with any leaks!

Second, you need to make sure your products are comfortable, and this is through choosing the right materials, but also the right size and shape, to make sure the products fit comfortably and securely without causing irritation. Consider materials, for example, that are soft and breathable to promote skin health. Also, make sure to choose the right fit for your body that provides proper coverage and doesn't allow for any gaps.

Third, make sure to look at whether the diaper provides odor control! Choose products that offer odor control or consider keeping an odor eliminator on hand so that you can avoid unpleasant odors.

WellBefore and You

One last feature to look for when looking for the products is cost, and WellBefore can help with all of the above! We offer cost-effective incontinence products at a range of absorbency levels, sizes, and kinds.

Shop at WellBefore today and take control of your nighttime incontinence. Plus, we have world-class customer service, so please reach out if you're unsure or have questions about what products to keep on hand for a good night's sleep every night!