Night time incontinence tips

As we age, our sleep patterns can change, and for those of us experiencing night time incontinence, a good night's sleep can become a real challenge. We’ve put together a few top tips to give you some peace of mind and turn the nightmare of bedtime incontinence into a dream come true. 

Establish a toilet routine before bed

A consistent nighttime routine can work wonders for preparing your mind and body for sleep. This one might seem obvious, but if you can, hit the toilet and try to empty your bladder or have a number two before heading to bed; you’ll make it less likely that you need to go in the night. Try to get this going at roughly the same time every night so that your body gets used to it. 

Building a night time routine has advantages that go beyond incontinence, including: 

• Improved quality of sleep
• Easier mornings
• More efficient brain function throughout the day

Of course, as we know, incontinence doesn’t quite follow a routine, if it did, we wouldn’t be here. Luckily, there are some great products that can help.

Choose the right night time incontinence products

If you’re finding that your usual adult nappies or disposable pants aren’t quite doing the trick, you might want to bolster your arsenal with some products that are geared specifically toward helping at bed time:  

• Disposable bed pads
• Washable bed pads
• Waterproof duvets & duvet protection
• Waterproof pillows & pillow protection
• Waterproof mattress protectors
• Waterproof mattresses
• Mattress cleaning products

Vivactive are the incontinence brand of choice if you’re looking to balance quality and cost. They’re industry leaders that offer exceptional quality incontinence items at a fraction of the cost of other brands. Their online only model means they can pass on savings on to you, as well as provide fantastic customer service and keep you stocked up without any need to head to the supermarket. 

No tea or coffee before bed

As someone experiencing incontinence, avoiding caffeine altogether may be your best bet here as it’s been linked to bladder problems. But, if you do feel like you need a cup of tea or coffee to get you through the day, just be sure not to drink any before bed. Not only will it make getting to sleep more difficult, it can increase your risk of having an accident in bed. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it increases urine output. 

You might be wondering why we’ve mentioned tea in the same breath as coffee, well, unfortunately your standard black tea contains a fair amount of caffeine too.

• Standard cup of coffee: 95mg of caffeine.
• Standard cup of tea: 26mg of caffeine.

It might not seem like much, but if you’re struggling, it’s probably not worth the risk of an increased need to pee during the night. 

Proper sizing, fit and comfort

Choosing a product that’s the correct size and fits well is one of the most overlooked incontinence challenges. An improperly fitted product means you're more likely to experience a leak or skin irritation, both of which could disrupt your sleep. 

A comfortable product with strong absorbency will offer maximum protection and minimise discomfort during the night, so you can rest easy knowing that you’ll remain clean and dry. Vivactive products excel here, ensuring a perfect fit for all kinds of body types, and allowing a snug yet flexible fit. Products such as the Vivactive Pants Night Maxi, feature specially designed anti-leak cuffs, to give you twice the protection even when lying down. 

Do kegel exercises

Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, are a great way to strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and bowel. A strong pelvic floor can significantly reduce instances of incontinence. These exercises are simple and can be done discreetly anywhere, anytime. To do a Kegel, imagine you're trying to stop the flow of urine mid-stream. Squeeze the muscles you use to do this and hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this several times a day for best results

Night time incontinence, also known as nocturia, can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:

• Overactive bladder: This condition causes frequent and urgent urges to urinate, even at night.
• Hormonal changes: Especially in women, hormonal shifts can affect bladder control.
• Medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes, urinary tract infections, and an enlarged prostate can contribute to incontinence.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics, can increase urine production.
• Fluid intake: Drinking excessive fluids, particularly caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, before bed can overload the bladder.
• Sleep apnoea: This sleep disorder can disrupt sleep and increase nighttime urination.
• Constipation: A full bowel can put pressure on the bladder.

Understanding what causes night time incontinence in your specific case is key to finding the best incontinence pants, pads and other solutions. If you're concerned, it's always best to consult with your doctor to determine the underlying cause and discuss appropriate treatment options.

Finding the right solutions is essential for a comfortable and dry night's sleep. There are many excellent products available, including incontinence pants, pads, and bed pads designed for night time. Here are a few options:

Vivactive Pants Night Maxi

The Vivactive Pants Night Maxi are designed for moderate to heavy urinary leakage, offering up to 10 hours of protection. Their ultra-absorbent core and anti-leak barriers provide confidence and comfort throughout the night.

Vivactive Shaped Pads Night Maxi

Vivactive Shaped Pads Night Maxi offer superior protection against leaks, thanks to their higher absorbency and specially designed barrier cuffs. These pads are longer for lie-down protection and feature TRIPLE LAYER LOCK™ technology for faster absorption and active odour control. For best results, pair these pads with Vivactive Fixation Pants.

Vivactice Bed Pad Night Maxi

For maximum bed protection, Vivactive Bed Pads Night Maxi are extra-large and highly absorbent. These disposable bed pads feature a waterproof backing and a diamond-embossed pattern for rapid absorption. They can hold a significant amount of liquid, ensuring your sheets and mattress stay dry all night.

TENA Discreet Protec+ Maxi Night

TENA Discreet Protec+ Maxi Night Pads are designed specifically for night time use, with extra length and width at the back for superior coverage. They feature a highly absorbent core, fresh odour control, and triple protection for skin health.

Always Discreet Pads Ultimate Night

Always Discreet Pads Ultimate Night offer secure and discreet protection. Their ultra-thin absorbent core and LeakGuards provide strong protection against leaks, while OdourLock technology neutralises odours.

Depend Pads Maximum / Overnight

Depend Pads Maximum / Overnight are designed for moderate to heavy incontinence. They feature an Absorb-Loc core for fast absorption and odour control, as well as anti-leak barriers for added protection.

Are you experiencing night time incontinence? If you’re looking for some incontinence pants, pads or disposable bed pads that fit your needs, then take a look at our range of products. We have a range of products for both males and females from brands such as Vivactive, TENA, Always, Abena, Attends, and more.