How to Attach a Night Catheter Bag to Your Leg Bag

To attach a night catheter bag, wash your hands, empty your leg bag, then connect the night bag's tube to the outlet at the bottom of your leg bag (or to your catheter valve) and open the leg bag tap so urine can drain through. Hang the night bag on a stand beside your bed, below the level of your bladder. In the morning, close the leg bag tap, disconnect the night bag and empty it.

Why you need a night bag

If you have an indwelling catheter, urine drains into a leg bag during the day, or is released through a valve. Leg bags only hold a limited amount, so at night you need a bigger bag. The NHS website explains that your night bag should be attached to your leg bag or to your catheter valve, and placed on a stand next to your bed, near the floor, to collect urine while you sleep.

Keeping the leg bag attached and adding the night bag to it keeps the system closed. This lowers the risk of infection, because the catheter itself is not disconnected.

Equipment for a night bag

• a new night drainage bag (usually single-use)
• a night bag stand or holder
• soap and water to wash your hands
• an alcohol wipe, if your nurse advises cleaning the leg bag outlet

Attaching the night bag: step by step

These steps follow advice in NHS patient leaflets, such as the one from the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. Follow your own nurse's instructions if they differ.

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
2. Empty your leg bag into the toilet.
3. Clean the leg bag outlet if your nurse has told you to.
4. Take the cap off the night bag tube, without touching the end.
5. Push the night bag connector firmly into the outlet at the bottom of your leg bag.
6. Open the tap on the leg bag, so urine flows straight through into the night bag. If it stays closed, urine will collect in the leg bag instead.
7. Put the night bag on its stand beside the bed, below the level of your bladder, without the tap touching the floor.
8. Check the tubing is not kinked or trapped, and loosen the leg bag straps if you need to.
9. Wash your hands again.

If you use a catheter valve instead of a leg bag, connect the night bag to the valve and open the valve so it drains freely overnight.

In the morning

1. Wash your hands.
2. Close the tap on the leg bag (or close the valve).
3. Disconnect the night bag.
4. Empty the night bag into the toilet.
5. Throw a single-use night bag away in a plastic bag in your household waste.
6. Re-tighten your leg bag straps, then wash your hands.

The NHS website says single-use night bags are usually used, to reduce the risk of infection.

Looking after your catheter day to day

The NHS website advises:

• empty your leg bag when it is half to three-quarters full
• change leg bags and valves every 7 days
• wash the skin where the catheter enters your body with mild soap and water every day
• wash your hands before and after touching your catheter equipment
• drink enough so your urine stays pale
• avoid constipation
• keep bags below the level of your bladder, and avoid kinks in the tubing

The catheter itself needs replacing at least every 3 months, usually by a doctor or nurse.

Getting supplies

You are usually given some equipment when you leave hospital and told where to get more. Catheter equipment is generally available on prescription from pharmacies. If you pay for prescriptions, a prescription prepayment certificate may save you money.

When to contact your community nurse

The NHS website says to contact your community nurse straight away if:

• you have severe or ongoing bladder spasms
• your catheter is blocked, or urine leaks around it
• there is blood in your urine, or you pass bright red blood
• you have signs of a urine infection, such as lower tummy pain, a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
• an indwelling catheter falls out and you do not know how to replace it

If you cannot reach your community nurse, call 111.

Everyday life with a catheter

The NHS website says it is possible to live a relatively normal life with a long-term catheter, although it can take some getting used to. You will be advised when it is safe to go back to work, exercise, swim, go on holiday and have sex.

For travel and overnight stays, pack:

• enough leg bags and single-use night bags for the trip, plus spares
• a night bag stand or holder
• your community nurse's contact details
• a copy of your catheter care plan, if you have one

If you are finding daily activities difficult with a catheter, speak to your doctor or community nurse. They may be able to suggest a different type of catheter or equipment. The charity Bladder and Bowel Community also provides information and support.

Night bag questions

Why is no urine draining into my night bag?

Check that the leg bag tap is open, the tubing is not kinked or squashed, and the night bag is below your bladder. If it still will not drain, contact your community nurse.

Can I reuse a night bag?

The NHS website says single-use night bags are usually used. Follow the advice for the type you have been given.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

• NHS website: Living with a urinary catheter
• Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland): Urinary catheter care leaflet
• East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust: Going home with a urinary catheter