Topic Overview
Moisture alarms for
are worn on the body and make a sound when
urine first touches the child's underclothing. The child is encouraged to try
to "beat the buzzer." When the alarm sounds, the child:
- Gets out of bed and disconnects the
buzzer.
- Goes to the bathroom to finish urinating (even if the child
no longer feels any need to).
- Changes clothing and reconnects the
alarm.
- Changes the linens or puts a towel on any wet
spot.
- Resets the alarm and goes back to sleep.
At first, parents may need to help the child with all of the
above steps. Children younger than 10 may not hear the alarm, but the treatment
still works if parents hear it and wake the child. Also, the parent or child
may keep a chart or calendar of dry, wet, and wet-spot nights to encourage the
child.
Moisture alarms are the most successful treatment for
bed-wetting. The treatment is most successful with older children who can hear
the alarm and wake themselves. Moisture alarms may be
used with other treatments, such as motivational therapy, as needed.
A child is less likely to return to bed-wetting after using a moisture
alarm if:
- Treatment is continued until the child has been
dry for 4 weeks. It can take up to 4 months to see results.1
- The child drinks extra liquids
during the day to stretch the bladder toward the end of treatment.
Moisture alarms are inexpensive, safe, and fairly simple to
use. But the child and the parents need to be trained in how to use the
alarm.
References
Citations
Graham KM, Levy JB (2009). Enuresis. Pediatrics in Review, 30(5): 165–173.