Bed wetting alarms can be useful
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the topic
of alarms inevitably gets raised. Bed wetting alarms can be
useful devices, but in spite of the popularity with which they
get discussed, they should not really be considered a first line
option. Bed wetting alarms are highly useful, but they are
probably only worthwhile once you have tried a few other methods.
Children all develop at different rates. A child who hasn't been
able to master staying dry at night, may well be able to do some
other task that a 'dry' child cannot do. Never forget, if your
child wets the bed, they are almost certain to be better than
other children at some other developmental achievement. All
children are different.
That's why patience is the best option for dealing with bed
wetting. In most children the condition goes away naturally; the
child grows up. That's why bed wetting alarms are not always
necessary. Not because they don't work (they do) but because you
will be spending money unnecessarily. Bed wetting alarms that
get children to be dry at night may be helpful, but if your
child was going to be dry anyway (as most children will be), you
could well have wasted your money.
The reason why bed wetting alarms are such a popular topic for
discussion amongst parents who have children who wet the bed is
because these alarms work. They produce results; but don't be in
too much of a hurry to get those results.
So, when should you consider an alarm? If several months of
positive encouragement to be dry as well as patience and a
friendly household haven't shown some improvements, then you may
need an alarm.
The kind of alarm you choose needs to be right for your child.
So don't just go and buy the first one you see. The alarm needs
to be comfortable for the child - after all they are going to
have to use it. Also, your child needs to be motivated to use
the alarm. If they don't want to us it, it won't work for them.
So simple things like the color can affect motivation. What it
looks like, the kind of noise the buzzer makes and so on, can
all have an impact on your child, so you should pay attention to
these factors. Never buy an alarm without your child. See it as
their alarm, rather than yours.
These alarms work by detecting moisture. When your child starts
urinating, the alarm senses the first drop of wetness and sounds
a buzzer. For some children, the buzzer will wake them and they
will then be able to go to the bathroom to finish off urinating.
For other children, the alarm will not wake them - but it will
wake you. You can then gently wake your child and take them to
the bathroom. The idea behind these alarms is that your child
begins to associate the feelings of a full bladder with the
noise of the alarm and waking. Eventually, the alarm can be
taken away and they should be able to wake themselves normally.
Alarms can certainly help with bed wetting. But they will only
do so with the full participation of your child. Otherwise you
will be wasting your money. You could also be spending money
unnecessarily if you rush to by an alarm when nature would have
taken its course if you were more patient.
More information on bedwetting can be found at www.bed-wetting-info.col
.uk