4 steps to choosing the best bedwetting alarm for your child

The variety of bedwetting alarms available can be overwhelming. The questions below can help you decide which alarm is most suitable for your child's needs and ensure that you cure bedwetting in the most effective way possible.

1. Wearable or Wireless?

If your child is happy to attach an alarm onto their pyjama top, then the wide range of wearable alarms that are on offer provide the most versatility and choice. However, if your child prefers not to wear a pyjama top to bed, the wireless alarm is a good option as the sensor (which is attached to the child's underwear) sends a wireless signal to a separate alarm unit, which can be kept on a bedside table. Alternatively, the bedside alarm means that nothing at all is connected to your child as the alarm itself is connected to a bed-mat beneath the sheet.

2. Audio or Vibrate?

Wearable alarms feature a range of stimuli to wake your child. In a shared environment, or for daytime use, a silent vibrate only alarm may be the best option. Otherwise, an audio alarm sound is the standard method for alerting a child upon wetting. For deeper sleepers, a combination of audio + vibrate is optimal. If your child would feel comforted by hearing a familiar voice or favourite piece of music, a recordable alarm allows you to record a personal message, which can be reassuring to children when they are woken from their sleep.

3. Single Tone or 8-Tone?

If you select an audio alarm, you will have a choice whether to choose a single tone alarm or an 8-tone alarm. A single tone alarm always alerts the bedwetter with the same alarm tone. It has been shown that, over time, children may become less responsive to the same alarm sound; an 8-tone alarm cycles through 8 different alarm sounds each time it is activated to reduce this "auditory accommodation".

4. Standard or Selectable?

For the most flexibility, a selectable alarm will allow you to switch between audio only, vibrate only, and combined audio+vibrate settings. It will also enable you to vary between single tone an 8-tone settings within the same alarm (+ personal message if using a recordable alarm). If you are unsure what settings are likely to be most suitable for your child, or you want the flexibility to adapt the alarm for different situations (e.g. night-time and daytime use), a selectable alarm is likely to be the best choice for you.   

If you need further help in choosing the best alarm for your child, take a look at our handy comparison table. 

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