Bedwetting ( Enuresis) Alarms Information

The sound of a bedwetting alarm helps the message get through from the bladder to the brain. Over time the child will stop wetting as soon as the alarm sounds. They will then stop wetting altogether.

Alarms have various sounds. Some emit a siren sound or loud noise when triggered. There is now a new type of alarm, which can be recorded with the parent's voice. All bedwetting alarms are battery operated so there is no chance of an electric shock. They operate by giving off a loud sound, or a recorded message of the parent's voice, as soon as they detect urine. Some alarms also having a flashing light and vibration.

One type of alarm is a small plastic box which is pinned onto the pyjamas. A lead connects the box to a sensor which is placed between two pairs of underpants. This type of alarm comes with the option of a siren sound or a recordable message eg the parent's voice can be recorded to say eg "Sam, wake up, stop wetting the bed". This message keeps repeating when the alarm is triggered. Research with smoke alarms has found that young children will sleep through an alarm 50% of the time but they will wake to the parent's voice using their name. Some children do wake to the alarm sound but are frightened by it. The Malem MO5 Recordable Bedwetting Alarm can be set to an alarm sound or to a recorded message and is recommended for timid children who may be frightened by loud noises and also for children who have previously tried a standard alarm without success. Another idea is to record the child's mobile phone ring tone.

Another type of alarm is a pad and bell. The child lies on a special pad which goes under the sheet. The large alarm box sits on the bedside table. A lead connects the pad to the alarm. This means the sheets must get wet before the alarm will sound.