Bed wetting -- Instead Of This, Use This

Here it is -- another edition of Friday's Instead Of This, Use This. Today, we're talking about bed wetting.

Photo by George Hodan

I was a bed wetter. I can remember being six or so and still wetting the bed on occasion. I clearly recall the dream I had where I would dream I was getting out of bed, walking to the bathroom, removing my pajamas, sitting on the toilet, and peeing. And then I'd wake up to wet sheets. Yuck, for both me, and my poor mother.

Recently, I came across an old remedy for bed wetting. I'm not sure if it works or not, but it wouldn't hurt to try it if your little one is wetting the bed or is still in need of a nighttime diaper. So, instead of wet sheets and diapers, try honey. Yes, honey.

Once your kiddo passes the age of three or so, it's time to nip the bed wetting problem in the bud. D.C. Jarvis, MD, author of Folk Medicine: A New England Almanac of Natural Health Care From A Noted Vermont Country Doctor, recommends honey as an effective and natural treatment for this common problem.

"At bedtime, give the child a teaspoonful of honey. It will act in two ways. First, it will act as a sedative (who knew?!) to the nervous system. Second, it will attract and hold fluid during the hours of sleeping."

Hmm. He suggests doing this every night until the bed wetting stops. Then just resort to it when you suspect there might be a problem (late night excitement, etc.).

Like I said, I'm not sure if this works or not, but if I had a youngster who was still wetting the bed or still wearing nighttime diapers, I'd certainly give it a shot. Plus, if you use local honey, it will help you ward off seasonal pollen-related allergies as well as spring strolls in.

So that's my Instead Of This, Use This tip for this week. Have you ever heard of this before? Let me know how it works for you if you give it a try.