Mum, I’ve wet the bed

Using an alarm

If you and your seven or eight year old have tried lifting, steady encouragement and a star chart, but bed-wetting is still a problem, it may be time to try a buzzer or bell alarm. Different kinds of alarms can be fixed to pyjamas or go under the bottom sheet. You get proper systems from your GP or ERIC can supply them; this is not a DIY job.

• The night-time alarm goes off as soon as children start to wet. The theory is that the noise wakes them up, they clench their muscles to stop peeing and get up to go to the toilet.
• Children who wet at night don’t seem to be deeper sleepers, but they do have trouble coming to. So, don’t expect the alarm to be an overnight success. It can take two to three months before your child has learned to wake fully enough to get to the toilet.
• In the beginning you may also need to get up when you hear the alarm and go to your child to help him or her to get fully awake.

ERIC can be contacted by the more traditional routes at 34 Old Schoolhouse, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB and by telephone on 0117 960 3060.