How to stop bedwetting using an alarm
Using an alarm is by far the most effective way to end a child's bedwetting. When you know why the alarm works and how to use it, your child will have the best chance of success.
Why do bedwetting alarms work?
You may think an alarm just tells you when your child wets the bed. In fact, it does far more.
A bedwetting alarm powerfully boosts a learning process called conditioning. Conditioning is learning to react to a feeling without thinking - in this case, waking to a full bladder.
When you use a bedwetting alarm as directed, your child starts waking just as they pee. Soon, they're waking to the feeling just before: a full bladder.
To make sure your child will learn this way with their alarm, read and follow the alarm instructions carefully.
How long does it take?
You'll know your child has beaten bedwetting when they have 14 dry nights in a row. When using a bedwetting alarm as directed, most children overcome the problem in 3 weeks to 3 months.
Why choose a DRI Sleeper alarm?
DRI Sleeper is unique in so many ways. Here are our top 5:
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Small: DRI Sleeper eclipse has the smallest, thinnest, lightest moisture sensor of any alarm. It's more comfortable for your child, so they're happier using it.
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Safe: Most bedwetting alarms have metal moisture sensors. Ours are made of conductive plastic to avoid skin reactions.
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Sensitive: We designed our moisture sensor to respond rapidly to liquid. This helps your child learn not to wet the bed more quickly.
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Speedy: Our alarms are delivered quickly, so you can start helping your child feel great about dry nights sooner.
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Supportive:
- We offer all customers a free phone call or video conference with our in-house bedwetting advisor. With years of experience and close relationships with medical specialists and psychologists worldwide, we can help with even the most unusual problems!
- You'll gain access with your purchase to our growing collection of online resources that make ending bedwetting easy: progress charts, drinking schedule, Relax and Remember MP3s, night toilet training guide, advice for children at different ages, and more.
Buy a bedwetting alarm
Choose an alarm from the DRI Sleeper range
Where does the alarm go?
Our alarms have small, conductive plastic moisture sensors. There are two types:
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DRI Sleeper excel is a wearable alarm clipped to a child's nightwear. The sensor is attached to a cord plugged into the alarm.
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DRI Sleeper eclipse has a wireless sensor. The alarm doesn't need to be attached to the sensor - it can be up to 11 metres (35 feet) away.
Placing the moisture sensor
For both alarms, place the moisture sensor in your child's underwear. There are several ways to make sure it stays in place. You could put it:
- in between two layers of snug-fitting underwear.
- into an opening cut in a minipad (women's sanitary pad) or panty liner in the child's underwear.
- into an opening cut in the inside crotch of a diaper (nappy).
Watch the sensor placement video demonstration
Tip: Try to avoid diapers. High absorbency can prevent children feeling wet, which may slow down their learning. Instead, use a waterproof mattress protector like a Brolly Sheet.
Placing the excel alarm (with cord)
DRI Sleeper excel's moisture sensor is plugged into the alarm. Take the cord up inside the nightwear and clip the alarm somewhere near the neckline, for example, to a pyjama collar or pocket.
Placing the eclipse alarm (wireless)
The DRI Sleeper eclipse alarm has a range around 11 metres (35 feet).
Usually, parents place the alarm on their child's bedside table, but for deep sleepers, it sometimes helps if the alarm is with the parent. Another option is DRI Sleeper eclipse with two alarms.
Practice with the alarm before bed
Alarm practice is vital in helping children understand the alarm's meaning and learn to respond.
Responding to the alarm during the night
When the alarm sounds, make sure your child has fully woken. Gently wiping their face with a damp cloth works well. If your child is very hard to wake, try our deep sleeper tips.
Alongside the alarm: what else helps?
Solving bedwetting makes such a difference to a child and their family. Our experience is the fastest way to get there is to use these techniques with the bedwetting alarm.
Night toilet training
These skills, attitudes and practical steps help make sure everything is in place for your child to overcome bedwetting. Here are some examples:
- Keeping a diary of when your child wets the bed.
- Regular routines around bedtime, including relaxing and peeing before bed.
- Reward programs, like star charts, leading to rewards for dry nights.
- Having a good attitude around the bedwetting: staying calm and treating it as normal.
Imagination
A child's imagination helps them learn, so it can help them stop bedwetting too. Here are some ways to use their imagination to beat bedwetting:
- Children are often motivated to stop bedwetting when an event like a sleepover, school camp or holiday is coming up. At these times, ask your child to imagine how much more they would enjoy these events if they didn't have to worry about wetting the bed.
- When your child needs to use the bathroom during the day, ask them to wait just a few moments and instead lay down on their bed and close their eyes. Ask what picture comes to mind when they feel their full bladder. Children come up with all kinds of amazing images - from footballs to fish tanks! Having a picture to go with the feeling can help them wake from sleep when it happens.
Listening for learning
Children and teens are often able to learn better when they're calm and relaxed.
That's why we developed our 20-minute Relax and Remember MP3s . These tracks reinforce the alarm response and develop awareness of a full bladder during sleep. Relaxing speech and music lets them drift off while they learn.
The two tracks are designed to meet the different needs of children and teens. We recommend they listen every night once they start using the alarm.
How to get more help
We know every child is different. Please contact us with your question. We're always happy to help.
Or download our free Night Toilet Training Guide
What next?
Learn more about our alarms
