Written with continence care lecturer Janice Reid, this guide provides practical advice and answers to common questions about night-time bladder care. From managing nocturia and sleeping with a catheter bag to preventing leaks, protecting your skin, and knowing when to seek help.
Night-Time Bladder Care Guide
Advice for comfortable, confident nights
A good night’s sleep is important for your health and wellbeing, but bladder and continence concerns can make restful sleep harder to achieve.
This guide developed with lecturer Janice Reid answers common questions around:
✅ Nocturia (waking up at night to pee)
✅ Managing leaks
✅ Sleeping with a catheter leg or night bag
✅ Choosing the right products for comfort and security
✅ When to seek medical advice
What help you’ll find inside 👀
Common bladder challenges
Page 5Read about how nocturia, product-related concerns and skin health can impact your sleep, and the quality of sleep you experience. Plus, get tips on how to help improve these challenges.
Reducing night-time urination
Page 6Find out which food and drinks can impact how often you are peeing at night and get advice for managing these in your diet.
Lifestyle and night-time schedules
Page 7Explore how you can reduce incontinence-related anxiety during the night with an evening routine. Find advice on clothing, protecting your mattress, pelvic floor strengthening and more.
Catheter care checklist
Page 12Use our catheter bag checklist to give you the peace of mind you need for a restful night’s sleep. Tick off items as you go, with tick boxes for your connectors, tubing and skin.
Meet the author
Janice Reid
Lecturer, School of Nursing and Paramedic Science, Ulster University
Chair RCN Bladder & Bowel Forum