Often a bedwetting alarm is used as a last resort to stop children wetting their beds. Their use though is somewhat controversial amongst parents. However, this needs to be considered against the anxiety a child feels after wetting their bed, along with the inconvenience to parents of needing to get up several times a night to change the bedding. As experts in the field of potty training, we’re here to help make life easier for parents and kids. So, let’s jump into discussing the pros and cons of using a bedwetting alarm for your child.
Benefits of Using a Bedwetting Alarm
A bedwetting alarm contains a moisture sensor which is triggered when it becomes damp with urine. A loud noise is made, which will usually awaken the child enough for their bladder to stop passing urine. As the bladder muscles contract, urine stops flowing to let the child empty their bladder into the toilet. Called Conditioned Learning, the aim is to associate the sensation of a full bladder with a loud noise. This then progresses to just identifying the feeling of fullness in their bladder and they stay dry at night-time.
Using an alarm in bed is one of the safest and easiest ways to stop bedwetting. Other benefits include:
- No side effects, unlike medications
- Long-lasting and reusable
- Small and discrete
- Proven effectiveness in long term cessation of bedwetting in children
The disadvantages of using a bed moisture alarm include:
- Regular cleaning after contact with urine, often several times a night
- Can take anywhere between two weeks to several months to stop bedwetting
- Sometimes parents need to wake the child if they do not awaken to the alarm sounds
- Can have false alarms due to sweating or damp fingers touching the sensor
- May scare some children who are unaware of the noise the alarm makes
Types of Bedwetting Alarms
Here at Brolly Sheets, we sell and recommend three different types of moisture alarms: wireless alarms and wired alarms. The DRI Sleeper Eclipse alarm is wireless, meaning no annoying wires or need to clip devices onto your child’s pyjamas. Instead, it has two parts – the Urosensor™ sits near your child’s crotch, while the DRI Sleeper® alarm unit sits on their drawers or bedside table. It’s easy to use and you can adjust the alarm volume if required.
The Dri Sleeper Excel Wired Alarm works the same way as the wireless version, is more affordable, but also can annoy users with its wire and need of being clipped onto pyjamas.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on bedwetting alarms! Pop your comments below or contact us for personalised, confidential advice.
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