- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Eating to Stay Dry
Nutritional Triggers and Bedwetting
By Kelly Burgess
"Food sensitivities are very common and people who might have mild reactions may not realize it's food related," Matthews says. "In a child, one of those reactions may be bedwetting."
If a parent suspects a food allergy it's best to consult a professional nutritionist or the child's physician. If just one food is suspect, Matthews suggests removing that food from the diet for 10 days or so then gradually reintroducing it – perhaps at lunchtime. Try that for several days before reintroducing it in the evenings.
One thing that Dr. Pinto wants to avoid, however, is for a parent to eliminate an entire food group from a child's diet. For example, the dairy group includes milk, which contains important ingredients that are vital to a child's nutrition and development. If a child has an allergy to milk, parents should find a substitute.
"If there is lactose intolerance it's certainly not a stretch to think that might contribute to bedwetting," Dr. Pinto says. "But milk isn't just a drink, it's a food. The child needs an equal replacement for the important nutrients milk provides. The bottom line is kids need a good overall diet."
That's even more important when you consider Dr. Pinto's statement that they are discovering there is a surprisingly strong link between constipation and bedwetting. A diet high in fiber may eliminate that cause altogether.
The best way to be sure your family is getting the best possible diet, Matthews says, is to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. Packaged foods often contain large amounts of sodium, sugars and artificial ingredients. Even if there is no bedwetting problem, a good diet benefits everyone.
* Names changed to protect privacy.
|
