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The alarm I had was a big black plastic sort of sheet that went under
the bedsheet and hooked up to a black box with a red light on the top and
a few switches which I learnt how to use. I had to set it and switch
it on and off - it was entirely my responsibility - it
only activated when it got wet. And then I had to get up
- wake mum and dad, get them to measure the wet spot and record it on a
chart then change the bed - it was a big thing for a 5 - 6 yr old and as
the wet spot got smaller it was a form of reassurance that it was working
as it woke me more easily. Mum said after 10 nights I didn't wet and
after 14 nights they took it off but kept it for another week or so just
to make sure I didn't go backwards. I was just a very heavy sleeper
and didn't wake easily and did not know I was wetting, by the end of two
weeks I was waking when I needed to go so it did the trick. I
didn't dream or even have any idea that i was wetting the bed - would just
wake up wet but by the last few times the machine went off I was
dreaming just before the alarm so I guess the dreaming is the pre waking
stage - which would indicate to me that a child who is dreaming of
the toilet would be getting closer to being able to wake at night
than a child who is not dreaming and has no idea they are wetting at
all. I was for the most part just SOUND asleep and so the machine
was probably a good tool in my case. I am wondering if being the
youngest of 4 girls made me a sound sleeper right from the start - as I
would have had to sleep through their noise, they were 3, 4 and 5 yrs
older than me.
My children don't wet the bed but they are light sleepers and wake
easily. George only wets when really really tired. So that may
have something to do with it too.
Apart from me hating alarms which I can deal with - it did
work well. However, my mum insisted on showing all the friends
and relatives who visited during the two weeks (I am sure there were more
than usual too) this big machine in my bedroom to stop me wetting the bed
which was highly embarrasing so I think if using something like this if it
is your little secret it would be much better than embarrasing the
child.
I guess it had an impact as I still have a very clear and detailed
memory of it.
Regards and again good luck!!
Rhonda.
-------Original Message-------
Date: Friday, February
28, 2003 21:09:10
Subject: Re:
[ozmidwifery] night nappies
Helen
I had two brothers who both remember
putting their own nappies on and were not dry at night until they were 6
or 7, so when my son was still in nappies at 5 years old I was not
concerned. I believe there are various treatments out there, but my
philosophy was to wait and see. I certainly didn't want to change wet
beds, too much trouble, so I went on putting on nappies until the day we
had to consider what to do about a school camp. Then I went to the chemist
and hired an alarm that fitted into the underpants and went off when the
child wet himself. Unfortunately or fortunately I'm not sure which, he
sweated a lot and set the alarm off, this woke him up and he went to the
toilet. After about a week he told me he was sick of the alarm and he
would wake up on his own thank you very much, and he did.
This is probably not much help to you but
it is quite common I believe. Do what you and your son are most
comfortable with. I am sure you will get lots of advice from the
list
Regards Sheena Johnson
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