subject: Is A Bedwetting Alarm Right For Your Situation? [print this page] If a child is still having difficulty controlling their bladder at night, then the use of a bedwetting alarm can be a useful tool. However, it is not used for a child under the age of five who is having difficulty sleeping through the night without a bedwetting accident. It is used for older children who still have a bed wetting problem, and other simpler methods haven't worked.
A bedwetting alarm has two basic components. One component is the moisture sensor which is on the child's underwear or pajamas, and the other component is the alarm. The alarm will sound or vibrate when the sensor detects moisture, thus waking the child to get up and go to the toilet. Whether it is wearable, wireless or the pad type, the choice should be for the child's comfort at night.
A strategy needs to go with the alarm for bedwetting so that the tool is used most effectively. It is a good idea to do practice sessions with the child just before they go to sleep, so that they know what to do at night. The child should know to wake up when the alarm sounds, to immediately stop the flow of urine, and then to go to the toilet. This way only a small amount of urine will be released in bed. Once the enuresis alarm has been cleaned off it can be reset, clean pajamas can be put on, and bedding can be changed or a towel can be placed over the wet spot.
The use of an alarm can be very beneficial to a child and their parents who are looking for bedwetting solutions to a problem that is continuing. At the same time, however, it is important that this alarm is accepted by the child. It will not be a useful tool if it is forced on a child or even on a teenager who does not want to use it. The entire process should be a positive one, where success is tracked and praised, and any nighttime accidents are not overly dwelt on.
The use of a bedwetting alarm should be discussed with the child and explained to him or her in a positive manner. Some children who sleep deeply will sleep through the alarm. Yet if the alarm is in the parent's room they will be awakened and then can wake the child to get up to go to the toilet. The purpose of the alarm is to aid in bladder training, and as with all training it must be introduced slowly and in a positive way. Searching the internet will provide you with information on the different types of alarms available and will also allow you to learn from others about which ones are the most successful.
