For parents of older children with bedwetting, bedwetting alarms are a form of treatment that you might want to explore. Bedwetting alarms are considered to be are among the safest and most effective ways to try reduce the instances of bedwetting. The American National Kidney foundation discovered that 50% to 70% of cases of bedwetting positively responded to treatment with bedwetting alarms. Bedwetting alarms are very effective, they wake your child up as soon as the first drop of urine hits his/her underwear or the bed. Your child is therefore made aware that they are wetting the bed and what it feels like to have a full bladder.
How bedwetting alarms decrease the incidence of bedwetting
An effective bedwetting alarm will ring at the exact moment that moisture is detected, waking your child up. In the best case scenario, the brain is conditioned to be open to messages from the bladder and prevent bedwetting during sleep.
When the moisture-sensitive part of the alarm is activated the alarm sounds and your child should usually wake up. The brain will react by sending a message to the bladder to stop the flow of urine. Eventually a link between wetting the bed and being woken is established and your child’ mind learns to “beat the alarm”, hopefully leading to dry nights. Bedwetting alarms take time to become effective. Your child should use the alarm for a few weeks before considering whether it works or not.
Why bedwetting alarms are an effective solution to bedwetting
Out of all the bedwetting solutions bedwetting alarms have one of the highest chances of decreasing your child’s bedwetting. Unlike prescribed medications, bedwetting alarms have no real side effects to speak of. All cases are different and you might find that the bedwetting alarm might work on its own or in conjunction with another bedwetting solution. The key is to try all the options until you find one that works best with your child.
The best kind of bedwetting alarms are those that can have several characteristics including:
- Wireless capability – bedwetting alarms with no wires ensure that there is no risk of discomfort to your child and less chance of breaking the alarm itself
- Easy fitting – bedwetting alarms should be designed to fit into bedwetting preventative underwear such as DryNites Pyjama Pants
- Adjustable noise level – children are very varied in terms of how deeply they sleep, to account for this, try find an alarm that has an adjustable alarm volume so you can find the perfect level so your child wakes up but the whole neighbourhood doesn’t
Bedwetting alarms are generally only successful when the child is motivated to stop wetting the bed and has a desire to use the device. Have a chat with your child and explain to him/her that by using the alarm consistently for a period of time is one of the best ways to decrease his/her bedwetting. Why not give your child a treat or two for using the bedwetting alarm, this might add some extra motivation for your child.
To find out where to hire a bedwetting alarm, speak to your GP or a nurse who specialises in dealing with bedwetting.