Bedwetting Alarm: How to Use

Bedwetting (enuresis) is when kids who are old enough to control their bladder pee at night during sleep. It's a common problem in kids, especially those under 6 years old. Many kids grow out of it without treatment. Some kids can learn to not wet the bed with a bedwetting alarm. 

The bedwetting alarm (which can be wired or wireless) makes a noise, vibrates, or flashes when a sensor gets wet from pee. The alarm helps your child learn to connect peeing with the alarm. Over time, they learn to sense when it's time to wake up and pee without the alarm.

Using a Bedwetting Alarm

Help your child feel involved in the process. Plan to use the bedwetting alarm for up to 3 months during a time when your child can sleep at home every night and keep a routine. Talk to them about what the alarm does and let them choose a starting date. Show them how you will connect the sensor to their underwear. Reassure them that the alarm will not hurt or shock them.

Get the supplies. Be ready with dry underwear and pajamas for accidents that happen through the night. Consider placing a disposable waterproof pad under your child so you don't have to change the sheets in the middle of the night. It's best not to use throwaway training pants (Pull-Ups^®) because feeling the wetness helps your child learn. Have wet wipes or a washcloth to clean your child off.

Teach your child what to do when the alarm goes off. You can practice during the day at first. When the alarm goes off, help your child: 

• Go to the bathroom and try to pee. (Do not turn the alarm off until your child has tried to pee or peed.)

• Wash the area of the body that has pee on it with wipes or a wet washcloth.

• Change into dry underwear and pajamas.

• Dry off the bedwetting sensor and reattach it.

• Change the sheets or throw away the disposable pad.

Give rewards. Offer praise or small rewards when your child uses the bedwetting alarm or stays dry through the night. Be specific about the praise and say, "I'm so proud you're learning how to use the bedwetting alarm." Or "I'm so proud you made it through the night without wetting the bed." Do not get mad if your child wet the bed.

Keep a routine: 

• Try to have your child go to bed at the same time and make sure they wear the alarm every night.

• Have your child drink plenty of liquids throughout the day, but try to limit liquids after dinner.

• Remind your child to go to the bathroom one more time before bedtime.

• Keep a record of wet and dry nights.

Be patient. Be prepared for the alarm to go off several times during the night when you first start using it. Your child should start to have some dry nights within about a month of using the alarm. You and any other adult family members should take turns helping your child go to the bathroom when the alarm goes off. Getting enough sleep is important for everyone.

Your child: 

• isn't having some dry nights within about a month

• starts wetting the bed after being dry for at least 6 months

• wets their pants during the day

• has tried the alarm for 3 months and is still wetting the bed

• is 7 years of age or older and still wetting the bed

How long will it take for my child to learn to use the alarm? Teaching your child to not wet the bed with the bedwetting alarm will work in three stages:

• First stage: Your child might not wake up initially to the alarm. Be sure you can hear it so you can help them through the routine. When the alarm goes off, wake up your child and help them go through the alarm routine (try to pee, get cleaned up, and reset the alarm).

• Second stage: Your child will start waking up to the alarm on their own. They will make the connection between the alarm and wetting the bed. When they hear the alarm, they will know it's time to pee. They may still wet the bed, but probably will stop peeing when the alarm goes off. Then they can finish peeing in the toilet during the alarm routine.

• Third stage: Your child will feel the need to pee and get up and go to the bathroom before the alarm goes off.

It's important to keep using the bedwetting alarm until your child stays dry for 3 weeks in a row.