How do Bed Wetting Alarms Work?

How do Bed Wetting Alarms Work
How do Bed Wetting Alarms Work



Dr. Greene’s Answer:

Bed-wetting alarms are among the safest and most effective of all therapies for bedwetting. The alarms have a simple moisture-sensor that snaps into your child’s pajamas. A small speaker attaches up on the shoulder with Velcro. At the first drop of urine, a piercing alarm goes off, that sounds similar to a smoke alarm. Instantly, the child reflexively stops urinating. Next, the household awakes, EXCEPT for the deep sleeper who wets the bed. Precisely those children who sleep through the alarm are most likely to be helped by it.

For the alarm to be effective, someone else must wake your child up (most likely you), walk him to the bathroom, and get him to finish urinating in the toilet — all before resetting that annoying alarm. If this ritual is continued, the alarm will likely begin to wake him up directly within 4 to 6 weeks. Within twelve weeks, your child will very likely master nighttime bladder control, and no longer need the alarm. Relapses after alarm therapy are uncommon.


Reviewed by: Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin, Rebecca Hicks
Last reviewed: January 19, 2011
Dr. Alan Greene

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