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Dinner and Nighttime Snacks That Can Cause Wet Nights

If you have a child who wets the bed, you’ve probably heard lots of rumors about nutritional bedwetting solutions.

Limit liquids after 6 p.m. Avoid orange juice. Steer clear of spicy food.

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In an effort to put an end to your child’s bedwetting problem, you might be tempted to try them all. But before you do, keep in mind that making unnecessary dietary changes that don’t work in an attempt to stop bedwetting could make you and your child even more unhappy and upset than you are now.

Doctors are very cautious when it comes to blaming specific foods for bedwetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, because there’s very little evidence to back up the claims and much of it is anecdotal.

Here, WebMD investigates the myths and realities behind five food strategies to help control bedwetting in children.

Spicy Foods and Bedwetting: Myth

Has taco night become a thing of the past at your house since you heard that spicy foods might trigger bedwetting? If so, it’s time to break out the salsa and grab some guacamole – experts say there is no evidence spicy foods trigger nocturnal enuresis.

The myth stems from the fact that spicy foods are known to irritate the bladder in some people and doctors may recommend that people with urinary incontinence avoid them. But research hasn’t found a connection between the consumption of spicy foods and bedwetting.

Citrus and Bedwetting: Another Myth

Like spicy foods, citrus fruits -- think oranges, lemons, and limes -- can be bladder irritants, owing to their acidity. So you might think you’re doing your child a favor by taking orange juice and lemonade off the table.

But, as is the case with hot and spicy foods, medical research has not demonstrated a link between eating citrus fruits and children’s bedwetting, except possibly in rare instances of food allergy to citrus in some bedwetters.

Food Allergens and Bedwetting: The Jury’s Still Out

The evidence for a connection between food allergies and bedwetting is very weak. A single study of 21 children published in 1992 did support a connection at least in some children, but it’s likely that in the vast majority of children allergy doesn’t play any role.

Caffeine and Bedwetting: Fact

Caffeine, whether in food or drink, acts as a diuretic, meaning that it stimulates the bladder to produce more urine. So, one bedwetting solution that many experts recommend is to avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening.

Just because your child doesn’t drink coffee doesn’t mean he isn’t ingesting caffeine. Teas, colas, and energy drinks often contain caffeine. And one food that many children love, chocolate, also contains a chemical closely related to caffeine. So you might want to be cautious about hot chocolate and desserts such as brownies or chocolate ice cream.

You don’t need to add insult to injury and ban these foods from your child’s diet -- just try to make sure they’re enjoyed earlier in the day so the effects have worn off before bedtime.

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