What causes bedwetting?

There are two kinds of bedwetting:

1. Primary bedwetting - A pattern of heavy sleeping and producing high amounts of urine while asleep. (This is the kind 98% of bedwetters have.)
2. Secondary bedwetting – Bedwetting caused by a physical or emotional problem. In this type, the child may start wetting after being dry for years. This type is very uncommon. Consult a doctor if you suspect this type.

Bedwetting alarms, like Chummie, treat the most common type of bedwetting – primary bedwetting. Chummie is highly likely to help children who suffer from primary bedwetting. Also, Chummie is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Don’t kids just have to “grow out of it”?

No! Bedwetting is a treatable medical condition.

As such, it is covered by most medical insurances.

What will happen if we don’t provide treatment and let the bedwetting continue?

Left untreated, most children will eventually stop wetting on their own. However, it may take many years. Some children may not stop until they are teenagers, and some will not stop without treatment and will continue bedwetting as adults.

Most parents prefer to take action toward helping their children become dry (and prevent psychological damage) rather than just waiting and hoping it will go away.

Is there any risk or damage caused by letting the bedwetting continue untreated?

The main goal of treating children with bedwetting is to prevent psychosocial consequences. Bedwetting is very embarrassing, and as such, can cause significant damage to the bedwetter’s self-esteem.  (This has been documented in scientific studies.) Low self-esteem can lead to difficulties adjusting in society, such as trouble making friends, not achieving higher levels of education and problems in the workplace. Children and teens who wet the bed also tend to avoid overnight social activities such as camp and sleepovers. Missing out on these activities can impair their social growth.

 Bedwetting does not cause serious physical harm. However, wetness can sometimes cause skin rashes.

 Since bedwetting is damaging to the child’s self esteem, expensive (for diapers and laundry) and inconvenient. There are no risks or side effects associated with using a bedwetting alarm like Chummie, most parents of bedwetters choose our alarm or mat to treat bedwetting.

I wet my bed until I was a teenager. Does that mean my child will, too?

While bedwetting has a hereditary component (it runs in the family), that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated. Chummie can help your child stop wetting the bed.

My child is constipated. Is that causing the bedwetting?

Consult your doctor. Typically, making the bowels more regular will either help stop the bedwetting directly, or make it possible for bedwetting treatment to work.

How does a bedwetting alarm work?

A bedwetting alarm system consists of the alarm unit and the sensor (which is worn on the child’s underwear). It uses a psychological principle called behavioral conditioning to teach the child’s sleeping brain:

1. When the child begins to wet, the sensor detects moisture and tells the alarm to go off (making noise, flashing lights, and/or vibrating).
2. When the alarm goes off, it wakes the child, who stops urinating until they can get to the bathroom to finish.
3. Over time, the child’s brain learns to associate the urge to urinate with waking up, and begins to wake up on its own when there is a need to go so the alarm is no longer needed.

Are bedwetting alarms effective?

Bedwetting alarms (also called moisture alarms, enuresis alarms, conditioning alarms and potty alarms) are highly effective in stopping bedwetting. (In contrast, bedwetting medication only offers temporary relief that lasts as long as medication is taken. Also medication has risks and side effects).

According to Mayo Clinic, “Moisture alarms are highly effective, carry a low risk of relapse or side effects, and may provide a better long-term solution than medication does.”

Will a bedwetting alarm help my child?

Your child is a good candidate for Chummie bedwetting alarm treatment if:

1. He/she is bothered by bedwetting and wants to stop.
2. He/she is willing to wear the alarm regularly while sleeping and cooperate with treatment (get up when the alarm goes off to finish urinating in the bathroom, clean up, and reset the alarm).

Could Chummie work for my child if other bedwetting alarms have not helped?

Yes, Chummie may help your child even if other alarms have failed. Because of its One Drop Detection^® sensor, strong response options (vibration and light in addition to variable volume), and many advanced features.

Chummie has helped numerous children who have not responded to other alarms. We frequently hear from parents whose child had tried as many as three other brands of alarms unsuccessfully, before finally being cured by Chummie.

Do alarms treat all bed wetters and all kinds of bedwetting?

There are two kinds of bedwetting:

1. Primary bedwetting - A pattern of heavy sleeping and producing high amounts of urine while asleep. (This is the kind 98% of bedwetters have).
2. Secondary bedwetting – Bedwetting caused by a physical or emotional problem. In this type, the child may start wetting after being dry for years. This type is very uncommon. Consult a doctor if you suspect this type.

Bedwetting alarms, like Chummie, treat the most common type of bedwetting – primary bedwetting. Chummie is highly likely to help children who suffer from primary bedwetting. Also, Chummie is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Does Chummie bedwetting alarm cure bedwetting permanently?

Contrary to what some competitors’ sites claim, no bedwetting alarm can promise to cure ALL children permanently. Most children will be ‘cured’ (remain permanently dry) after completing treatment. However, after becoming ‘dry’ (no wet beds for 14 nights in a row), a small percentage of children will ‘relapse,’ or start wetting again. If this happens, simply re-start Chummie alarm treatment. Treatment will likely be completed much faster the second time around.

Are bedwetting alarms safe?

Bed wetting alarms are very safe. Bed wetting alarms work by modifying behavior. Unlike drugs, there are no risks or side effects. Plus, Chummie offers additional comfort and safety features that competitors’ alarms don’t have.

How long have bedwetting alarms been used?

Bedwetting alarms (also called enuresis alarms, potty alarms, moisture alarms, and conditioning alarms) have been used for decades. There are a number of alarms that have been on the market a long time, however, they use out-of-date technology that does not work as well as Chummie’s cutting-edge technologies.

How old does my child have to be to use a bedwetting alarm?

Bedwetting is treatable from the age of 4. Children can be treated for bedwetting as soon as it becomes a concern for them. Most children express concern by the age of 6.

 Children can be treated as soon as:

1. They show concern about their bed-wetting and are motivated to stop. (If a 4- or 5-year-old child is not bothered by their bed wetting, it’s ok to delay treatment. However, if your 4-year-old is unhappy about wetting the bed, they can use Chummie).
2. They are not frightened when the alarm goes off.
3. They are willing to wear the alarm regularly while sleeping and cooperate with treatment (get up when the alarm goes off to finish urinating in the bathroom, clean up, and reset the alarm.) Younger children may need help cleaning up and returning to bed.

There is no universally agreed-upon age at which children can start using an alarm to treat their bedwetting. Most doctors recommend bedwetting alarm treatment for children as young as 5. Some doctors recommend bedwetting alarms for children age 6 or 7+, because at that age nearly everyone considers bedwetting a problem and by that age most children are mature enough to respond to the alarm on their own.

 Bedwetting alarms have been used effectively with children as young as 4. (Younger children may simply need help getting to the bathroom and cleaning up after an incident). Chummie is specially-designed to be easy enough for a 4-year-old to program.

Can Chummie bedwetting alarm help older children, adults and the elderly, too?

There is no age limit on who can use Chummie. It can help teenagers and adults with bedwetting issues. (Though people who are still wetting the bed at older ages have more severe bedwetting, and will likely take longer to treat). Also, caregivers for elderly persons with incontinence issues have used the alarm to alert them to when the older person has wet.

Is the Chummie bedwetting alarm loud enough to wake my deep sleeper?

Chummie bedwetting alarm was designed to be loud enough to wake even the deepest sleepers. Its loudest setting is very loud, but still within the safe range for not causing hearing damage. (Beware of some competitor’s alarms that are loud enough to cause hearing damage). Chummie’s alarm tone is pulsed (at high frequency) to ensure that the brain responds to the sound.

Chummie’s vibration mode has also been shown to wake children who sleep through the auditory (sound) alarm.

My child doesn’t wake up to an alarm clock, or even to a smoke detector? How will Chummie be able  to wake him/her?

Chummie is more effective than an alarm clock or smoke detector for three reasons:

1. Because it is worn on the child’s clothing, Chummie is much closer than an alarm clock, and will be louder. The child will also feel the vibrations and may be awoken by the flashing lights.

2. Chummie’s alarm is triggered by the first drop of urine, so the child is likely to be in a sleep stage where they can be woken more easily.
3. Chummie goes off just as the child is starting to urinate. The time the alarm clock goes off has no particular relationship to the child’s need to urinate.

How is the alarm going off different than me waking my child up during the night?

When parents wake their child at night to prevent bedwetting, it may help prevent wetting that specific night because their bladder is empty. However, it doesn’t help a child to stop bedwetting on other nights because waking the child and random times not connected to when the child actually has the urge to urinate doesn’t teach the child to wake to a wet bladder . Using the Chummie bedwetting alarm teaches the child to associate having a full bladder with waking up, so the child stops wetting the bed on their own. 

Are all bedwetting alarms basically the same? How do I choose a bedwetting alarm?

All bedwetting alarms are designed to detect urine and wake the child upon urination so that the child learns to wake on their own whenever there is a need to urinate.

However, alarms differ in many ways:

• Speed and reliability of urine detection (sensor sensitivity)
• Alarm strength (strong enough volume and vibration support for deep sleepers)
• Alarm options (variable tones and availability of light and discreet vibration)
• Safety
• Comfort, compact size, and secure fit
• Quality & durability
• Ease of use
• Warranty and guarantee

A weaker, more basic alarm may be enough for some children. However, there is no way to know if your child will respond until you have tried it, and most other alarms are not covered by a guarantee. Most parents prefer not to waste money (and time) taking their chances on a minimalistic alarm that may or may not work.

You can see a comparison of bedwetting alarms for yourself here.

Why haven’t I seen Chummie mentioned on other web sites?

Though the Chummie is the newest to the market, within such a short period of time, Chummie has cured bedwetting in over a 100,000 children. Many web sites have not updated their content since then. Also, many web sites about bedwetting are actually owned by the makers of other alarms, who purchased those domains long ago to promote their products. Our technology is way advanced than any other bedwetting alarm ever built.

Can I trust Chummie if it’s a new product?

Absolutely. Chummie treats bedwetting in the same way as all bedwetting alarms – An alarm wakes the child when moisture is detected, so the child learns to associate the urge to urinate with waking, and wakes on his/her own. Chummie is superior to older alarms because it uses more effective moisture detection (microprocessor-based monitoring that is triggered by the first drop of moisture).

Chummie is also the #1 pediatrician recommended alarm. We have already treated over a 100,000 children who are now free from bedwetting. We are the world’s most sold alarm.

Is Chummie worth the money?

Yes! In fact, Chummie can save you money (and the environment) because you won’t be spending a bundle on night diapers and doing lots of extra laundry. You and your child will also benefit from extra sleep. Finally, you can’t put a price on your child’s self-esteem.

Because Chummie works faster than other bedwetting alarms, your child will complete treatment faster. This means you will save time, frustration, and money you would have spent on diapers and laundry while waiting for an inferior alarm to treat.

The Chummie bedwetting alarm has earned FDA registration. Why is that important?

The official United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) registration is only awarded to devices that have passed a number of tests and quality inspections. The FDA looks carefully at the manufacturing facility and process. FDA certification means that the product meets strict quality standards for a medical device and is safe. (FYI - There are different classes of medical devices, from class I (tounge depressors) to class III (devices that are implanted inside of the body like pacemakers. CHUMMIE is a class II device. FDA does not issue ‘approval’ of class II devices, only registration).

Also, CHUMMIE is also the ONLY bedwetting alarm that has the certifications required to be sold in Canada. (Other companies are selling their bedwetting alarms there illegally).

How EFFECTIVE is Chummie compared to other bedwetting alarms?

In published evaluations done on other bedwetting alarms, treatment was effective in treating bed wetting in approximately 66% of the cases. In studies using the CHUMMIE bedwetting alarm system, CHUMMIE was proven to be effective in more than 96% of children. That is a significant improvement over other bedwetting alarm systems.

How SAFE is Chummie compared to other bedwetting alarms?

While bedwetting alarms overall are a very safe treatment option, CHUMMIE offers a set of safety features that no other alarm offers:

• Double insulation to protect against battery discharge
• Protection Plus Care™ to protect against skin irritation

Chummie has the distinction of being the ONLY bedwetting alarm that has passed the tests required to be FDA registered (the Food & Drug Administration, or FDA, is the United States agency that regulates medical treatments), CE approved and RoHS compliant.

Also, the Chummie bedwetting treatment is completely is free from lead, mercury and other hazardous chemicals.

See a comparison of bedwetting alarms.

You can see a comparison of bedwetting alarms for yourself here.

Does my child need a prescription for us to buy Chummie bedwetting alarm?

No, Chummie is available ‘over the counter’ without a prescription.

Is the Chummie bedwetting alarm covered by insurance?

The Chummie Bedwetting alarms are covered by most insurance plans. They are generally considered “medically necessary durable medical equipment”. The HCPCS (billing) code for enuresis (bedwetting) alarms is S8270.  The diagnosis code for primary nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is 788.36.

All plans are different, so you will need to check with your individual plan about the enrollee’s specific benefit. Some plans require a normal physical exam and urine test to rule out rare physical problems prior to agreeing to cover an alarm, or have other coverage determination guidelines, such as the child’s age and frequency of wetting. Some plans will want you to get a doctor’s prescription (even though you can buy a Chummie without a prescription). 

If your insurance plan covers this bedwetting treatment, you will need to submit your receipt to your plan for reimbursement.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Even if you don’t have insurance, parents will tell you that buying a Chummie is money well-spent. Chummie can actually save you money because it will eliminate the need to buy expensive night diapers and you will save money on laundry. Plus, you can’t put a price on your child’s self-esteem and the convenience and uninterrupted sleep Chummie makes possible. If you are unable to afford a Chummie on your own, please enroll in the Chummie purchase assistance program. 

Is Chummie bedwetting alarm covered under FSA’s (Flexible Spending, or “Pre-Tax” Spending Accounts)?

Yes, bedwetting alarms are a FSA-eligible expense.

Do I need an extra sensor?

The Intelliflex sensor is designed to be durable, and should last the entire length of treatment. (Unlike competitors’ sensors, which lose sensitivity  and corrode in about 5 weeks and should be replaced.) You don’t have to worry about spending money on replacement sensors over time.

Some parents purchase a second sensor because they like the convenience of having a spare sensor available so they can quickly change sensors during the night and return to bed, and can clean the used sensor in the morning.

What’s the best way to introduce my child to Chummie?

During the daytime:

1)       Let your child take Chummie out of its box, or take it out together.
2)       Explain to your child how Chummie works and that it will help your child to stop wetting the bed.
3)       Drop a little water on the sensor to show the child how the alarm goes off.
4)       Have a ‘dress rehearsal’

1. Have your child lay down on their bed and pretend to be asleep.
2. Drip a bit of water on the sensor. (It does not have to be inside the underwear during this practice session).
3. Have the child pretend to wake up right away and walk to the bathroom to turn off the alarm and finish urinating.
4. Have your child pretend his/her underwear, PullUps, and/or sheets are wet and pretend to change them.
5. Have your child reset the alarm and return to bed.

At bedtime:

5)       When your child is ready for bed, remind them what to do when Chummie goes off. Encourage them to try to get up super fast when Chummie goes off. Tell them that over time, they will get faster and faster at waking up when Chummie goes off, and soon they will be able to wake on their own before Chummie goes off, and there will be no more wet beds!
 

Can the sensor cord be outside the shirt?

It’s best that the sensor cord be worn below the shirt. If worn outside, it could catch on fingers and accidentally be removed.

Is it OK for the sensor to touch the skin directly?

No, the sensor should be worn on the outside of the underwear. If worn touching the skin directly, sweat could cause a false alarm.

How do I attach the sensor to the underwear?

There are several options for attaching the sensor:

1) Hold the sensor in place with Chummie Peel and Stick tapes as already provided. If additional Peel and Stick tapes are needed they can be purchase from our store.

(Do NOT use heavy-duty tapes such as packaging tape or duct tape, as removal may tug very hard at the sensor and damage it).

OR

2) Have the child wear a 2nd pair of underwear, and but the sensor in between the two pairs.

OR

3) You can sew a little piece of rectangular cloth into the crotch of the underwear to make a pocket for the sensor. The opening should face upwards so the cord can come out, and the pocket must be small enough to hold the sensor snugly so it does not fall out as your child moves during the night.

All methods work. Most parents prefer to use option #1 (i.e. the Chummie Peel and Stick tapes) or option #2 (a 2^nd pair of underwear), because it is easiest. You can choose the one you and your child prefer.

Can I plug the sensor into a mobile phone, radio, or other device instead?

No, the sensor is configured for use with the Chummie alarm unit. Other devices will not work with the sensor.

Should my child limit the amount of water he/she drinks before going to sleep at night?

No, restricting fluids will not prevent bedwetting. Restricting the amount your child drinks before bedtime might reduce the total amount of urine that is released during a wetting incident, however, it will not prevent wetting completely.

Restricting fluids could even make things worse. Most bedwetter’s don’t produce enough of a hormone that cuts down on urine production during the night, so their brains tell their kidneys to produce just as much urine at night as during the day. Limiting drinks will not change the kidneys’ urine production. Your child should follow a normal and healthy routine, unless directed otherwise by a doctor.

Should my bedwetting child avoid any particular foods or beverages?

No, avoiding certain foods/drinks will not impact the way the child’s brain responds to a full bladder at night.

Should my child urinate before they go to sleep?

Only if they need to. Trying to force them to urinate if they don’t need to can cause them anxiety and be counterproductive to treatment.

Any other tips or precautions?

Since your child will have to get up in the middle of the night to get to the bathroom, it’s a good idea to leave a night light or two on so the room and hallway are not completely dark. Putting a flashlight near the bed can also be helpful. All people can be a little disoriented when they first wake, and you don’t want your child to bump into something and fall or hurt themselves.

Does my child have to wear Chummie every night?

Wearing Chummie consistently each and every night is the fastest way to train the child’s brain to wake so they can sleep dry. It is not harmful if the child misses a night (such as if they prefer to leave it at home during a sleepover), however it will just may take longer to become dry.

Which settings should I try first?

You may choose any tone you wish. Turn the volume to the loudest setting.

Turn vibration on.

Can I use both the sound and vibration together?

Yes. In fact, it’s best to start the treatment with both sound and vibration. Gradually, as your child starts having dry nights, you can turn off the vibration. If your child does not wake up to the alarm one night, add the vibration again.

The vibration only option (discreet mode) should be used only when quiet is absolutely necessary, such as when your child is at a sleepover.

Which volume level should I try first?

Always start treatment at the highest volume.

The lower volume should be used only once your child has started having several dry nights in a row.

Will the alarm be more effective at higher volumes?

The high volume is more effective at start of the treatment.

As treatment is progressing, and the child’s brain is learning to wake on its own, the alarm should be set at a lower volume.

Is the loudest volume setting safe for my child’s hearing?

Yes, Chummie's loudest setting is still within the safe range.

Note: Beware of some competitors’ alarms, which have volume loud enough that can cause permanent hearing damage!

Why are there different tones? Is it so I can choose the one my child likes best?

Having a variety of different tones available helps to prevent auditory accommodation – the child “getting used to” the sound of a tone and beginning to ignore/sleep through it. We recommend that you change tones each night.

Which tone is most effective?

All tones are equally effective.

Why is there a vibration option?

Chummie gives you the option to turn off the sound and use lights and vibration only. We call this the ‘discreet option’, because it enables the child to use the alarm without others knowing when it goes off. The discreet option should be used when the child is away at sleepovers and camp.

Can we use the vibration option by itself all the time?

On normal nights at home, we recommend using the vibration together with the sound for maximum waking power.

At what point should the alarm be turned off after it has been triggered?

The child can turn off the alarm after he/she is out of bed and on his/her way to the bathroom, or after he/she is finished urinating.

If your child has been sleeping through the alarm, let it stay on until your child is finished urinating in the toilet. Leaving the alarm on during the extra time will help strengthen the connection between the alarm and needing to wake, so that your child will begin to wake on his/her own.

Never turn the alarm off for your child.

How do I turn off an alarm?

Turning off alarms is a two step process. (This is intentional as it makes it difficult for the child to turn the alarm off without waking up).

First, briefly press the enable button. (This will silence the alarm for 2 minutes.) Next, unplug the sensor from the alarm unit.

Should parents help a child during the night?

It depends on your child – their age, and how deeply they sleep:

• Younger children: Children age 4-5 will likely need a parent’s help to get to the bathroom and clean and re-start the sensor. Older children are typically able to get to the bathroom to finish urinating, change, clean, restart the alarm system and return to bed on their own without waking the parents. If a child is able to do this on their own, there is no need to wake the parents.
• Very deep sleepers: In the beginning, a small number of children who are extremely deep sleepers may have trouble waking completely to the alarm on their own. Initially, a parent will need to help wake the child and lead them to the bathroom. (Even though the child  does not waking on their own yet, the brain is still learning, and after some time the child will begin to wake on their own.)  Chummie is designed to be strong enough to wake even the deepest sleepers, so most children are able to manage on their own. Also, Chummie’s strong vibration frequently wakes deep sleepers who fail to wake to an audible alarm.

Our child’s room is far from ours, so we can’t hear the alarm go off.

Temporarily arranging sleeping quarters is usually impractical and not a preferred solution, so many parents in this situation will use a simple baby monitor.

Should the child change their own sheets after a wetting incident?

Children can participate in cleanup as appropriate to their age. A 6 year old shouldn’t be expected to change sheets by themselves, while a teenager is perfectly capable of taking care of this on their own if they want to.

Children cannot consciously control their bedwetting, so making them change their sheets as a punishment will not help them stop wetting the bed.

How can parents support and motivate their child during the treatment process?

• DO praise your child for participating in the treatment – wearing the alarm properly, cleaning the soiled sensor after a wetting incident, etc.
• DO give encouragement: Praise your child when they wake to the alarm and for waking faster and faster (having smaller wet spots). Encourage your child to try to ‘beat the buzzer’ – waking up when the bladder is full, but before they have begun to urinate in bed. Praise them when they have a dry night.
• DO help the child stay motivated: Help your child stay motivated by recording their progress on the included progress diary i.e. by coloring the appropriate characters and stars.

Do we have to use the reward system?

A motivational system is an important part of bedwetting treatment because it encourages the child’s cooperation with the treatment process. The reward components of the Chummie bedwetting treatment alarm system were designed with the help of a child psychologist specifically for bedwetting treatment. Included with your Chummie alarm you will find a progress diary and an achievement certificate. When you use these reward components, the child will feel supported and will be excited by the progress they see themselves making.

Should I offer my child other rewards also?

It is not necessary. If you wish to offer additional rewards, remember that your child cannot control what happens while they are asleep. They do not wet the bed on purpose. Instead, reward their cooperation with wearing the Chummie and getting out of bed quickly when the alarm goes off.

Any additional rewards should be modest. Significant awards could interfere with the child’s sleep and treatment, because he/she tries not to sleep so they are sure not to wet and can ‘win’ the reward. This will not help your child overcome bedwetting, and will likely result in a very tired child the next day.

Should we punish the child if they wet the bed?

Absolutely not! Never criticize your child for bedwetting. A child cannot control their bedwetting, so punishment will not help.

In fact, punishing the child can be counterproductive; An anxious or fearful child will be less able to cooperate with treatment. Also, some children may not sleep well if they are afraid that they’ll wet the bed.

How else can we help our child feel better about themselves while they are learning to stop bedwetting?

There are lots of ways parents can help their child feel less stressed during the treatment process:

• Remind the child that bedwetting is nobody’s fault.
• Let children know that lots of kids have the same problem.
• Remind the child that Chummie is teaching them to wake when they need to go during the night,  and soon  he/she will be dry.
• Do not allow the child’s siblings to tease him/her about wetting the bed.
• Let your child know if anyone in the family wet the bed growing up.
• Maintain a low-key attitude after wetting episodes.
• Praise the child when they help clean up after a setting episode (washing the sensor, stripping the bed, putting sheets in the washer, etc.).

How do I clean the Intelliflex^®sensor and cord?

1. Rinse the sensor and cord under [any temperature] tap water to wash off urine.
2. Pat the sensor and cord dry with a towel or cloth. (Do NOT pull on the cord or sensor while drying. It could cause damage).

How do I clean the Chummie alarm?

1. Wipe the Chummie alarm with a damp cloth. Do NOT place under water or submerge in water.
2. If needed, wipe the dry Chummie alarm with a pre-saturated alchol wipes to disinfect it.

Can I use any brand of wipes?

The chemicals used in some brands of wipes may leave behind lint and residue and harm the sensor. For this reason, first test the wipe on a small area of the sensor before use.

Wipes should be gentle on hands and lint-free so they don’t leave fuzz behind on the sensor. Many parents enjoy the convenience of the individually-packaged wipes.

How do I store Chummie during the day?

For daytime storage, disconnect the sensor from the alarm unit. The alarm unit beeps once and enters standby (power save) mode.

How quickly does Chummie begin working?

Chummie starts working immediately, from the very first night it is triggered. However, the learning process will take some time. In the very beginning, the parent may need to help wake children who are very deep sleepers and lead them to the bathroom. The child’s brain is already learning, even if they didn’t yet wake on their own.

How do I know if Chummie is working?

Some signs of significant progress are:

• The child wakes to the alarm.
• The child reacts more and more quickly to the alarm going off. (i.e. the bed will be less wet).
• The child begins to ‘beat the alarm’ – waking up before they start to urinate. This shows that Chummie has taught the child’s brain to respond to the sensation of the bladder filling. Keep using Chummie until the child has been able to sleep for 14 days in a row without triggering the alarm or wetting.

My child did not wake up to the Chummie alarm and slept through it for more than a week. Should I give up and stop the treatment?

No, keep using Chummie! Kids who are extremely deep sleepers may sleep though the alarm for the first 1-2 weeks. Even if the parent wakes them, they are still learning from the alarm. After some time, the child will begin waking on their own. (See the “Sleeping through the alarm” section in these FAQs for helpful tips).

How long does treatment take?

When using Chummie consistently, it takes most children between 4-6 weeks to stop wetting.

Many factors can affect treatment time, including: age (older children typically need more time); gender; weight; sleep pattern; and family history of bedwetting. Some children may stop wetting after a week, while others may need a few months. Each child is different. To ensure maximum treatment speed and effectiveness, make sure that your child is using Chummie each and every night.

How long do results last?

In most cases, bedwetting will be permanently stopped.

My child is cured. Do they need to keep wearing Chummie to stay dry?

No, Chummie works by training the child’s brain to wake when there is a need to urinate.  If the child has been dry for 14 nights in a row, their brain has been successfully trained. The child can sleep without Chummie.

What is relapse? What should I do if my child relapses?

A small percentage of children begin to wet again after being dry for 14 consecutive nights. This is called a relapse. Simply start using Chummie again, just as you did the first time. Treatment will likely take less time this time around.

Note: Wetting the bed again after being dry for months or years can be a sign of an underlying physical or emotional problem. Consult your doctor.

What can we do to prevent a relapse?

To help prevent a relapse, you can try a technique called ‘over learning.’ After your child has been dry 14 nights in a row:

1)       Tell your child to drink a big glass of water about 30 minutes before bedtime. (This will cause them to have to urinate a few hours after going to bed. The child will either wet the bed, or wake up on their own. Whether the child is able to “beat the alarm” or not, this gives more opportunities for learning to respond to a full bladder).

2)       If your child has been dry for 14 nights, even after drinking the extra water before bedtime, your child can stop wearing Chummie.
Your child’s brain has formed a strong connection between the need to urinate and waking up, so relapse is highly unlikely.

My child is dry! How should I dispose of Chummie?

Keep Chummie for a few months in case your child has a relapse. If your child is still dry after several months, you can send us your used Chummie for the Recycle your Chummie^TM  Program to be refurbished and given to children in poor countries.

Should I hold on to my Chummie in case my younger child wet the bed someday?

It’s up to you whether you want to store it somewhere just in case. The IntelliFlex^® sensor is designed to last several years if cared for properly. However, most children dislike hand-me-downs. Also, our R&D engineers are working on new technologies to enhance future generations of Chummie’s.

What if the Chummie alarm does not wake my child?

• Increase the volume.
• Change the tone selection. Some children become accustomed to one tone and sleep through it. Chummie was designed with eight different tone options to overcome this.
• Add the vibration option – It’s often effective with children who did not wake to the sounds.

If your child is an extremely deep sleeper and still manages to sleep through the alarm after you have followed the above instructions, he or she may need your help in the beginning:

• When the alarm goes off, quickly go into your child’s room.
• If the child is awake, remind them to get up and finish in the bathroom.
• If the child is still awake, turn on the light and say their name.
• If they still do not wake, you can rub their arm or wipe their face with a damp cloth. Do whatever it takes to wake them.

Do not turn the alarm off. Make your child wake and turn the alarm off themselves.

What else can I do to help my child wake to the alarm?

If your child is not waking to the alarm on his/her own, you can try something called “priming” the brain. Priming basically means helping your brain to remember to do something in the future. To help prime your child’s brain for waking to the alarm, practice the waking routine before going to bed. (You may have done practice runs like this before you used the alarm the first night).

1)       Tell your child you are going to practice so their brain knows what to do when the alarm goes off during the night.
2)       Have your child get into their bed and pretend to be asleep.
3)       Drip a bit of water on the sensor to make the alarm go off. (The sensor does not have to be inside the underwear during these practice sessions).
4)       Have the child pretend to wake up right away and walk to the bathroom to turn off the alarm and finish urinating.

Do this a few times each night before the child sleeps until they begin to wake on their own. Doing this practice before going to sleep will prime (help) the child’s brain learn the connection between the alarm going off and waking to go to the bathroom, so the child will wake when it goes off during the night.

Remember to maintain a supportive and positive attitude so that your child believes he/she can be successful.

What if we tried priming, but my child still isn’t waking on his/her own?

Your situation is rare, but we are still confident that your child can be successful with Chummie. Let’s try some extra practice that will strengthen the child’s brain’s connection between the alarm and needing to urinate. We will use priming again, but this time, we will do a DELUXE priming activity – while the child really DOES have to urinate (rather than just pretending).

1)       Tell your child that you are going to work on teaching their brain that the alarm going off means ‘go to the bathroom.’
2)       Have your child drink lots of liquids. (This may sound strange, but we WANT the child to need to urinate so that you can get lots of practice responding to the alarm).
3)       Have your child tell you when they need to urinate.
4)       When your child says they need to urinate, immediately go with your child to the bedroom and have them put on the alarm unit (with the sensor cord hanging off of it), and lie down on the bed and pretend to be asleep.
5)       Once your child is relaxed and pretending to be asleep, drip some water on the sensor to make the alarm go off.
6)       The child should get up right away and RUSH to the bathroom as quickly as possible. (Rushing helps to establish the need for urgency in responding to the alarm). Have them say “I need to use the toilet (or go pee, or whatever…), but I can hold it.” Have them to urinate. After urinating, the child can shut off the alarm and return to bed. Practice steps 5 & 6 up to five more times over a week. (the more the better, or until your child tells you he/she can’t keep holding it anymore, and you let them urinate for real.)

Practicing this routine while the child really DOES need to urinate helps to establish the connection between the alarm and needing to urinate.

We tried the priming and the deluxe priming, but my child still isn’t waking on his/her own.

Note: It is very usual to still have trouble after completing the priming activity. We are sorry you’re in the unlucky few. Try this:

• Repeat the deluxe priming activity 10 times over a period of 2 weeks.
• If your child is still not waking on their own to the alarm (extremely rare) discontinue alarm treatment. Wait a few months (this will allow the brain to mature some more) and then try again.

We have been using Chummie for three months and no progress.

• Check that the unit is functioning: First, check the sensor under a small amount of water to see if it responds. If the sensor cord is connected properly to the alarm unit, and the sensor does not respond to some water, try changing the batteries.
• Check the settings: If your child has been sleeping through the alarm, verify that you have tried the loudest volume.
• If Chummie seems to be functioning normally, your child may be in the 2% of bedwetter’s who have the type of bedwetting called ‘secondary bedwetting.’ Bedwetting alarms are not usually effective with this type. This type of bedwetting may be a sign of an underlying physical or emotional problem. Please consult with your doctor.

The alarm goes off sometimes, even though my child has not wet.

Be sure that you are affixing the sensor to the outside of the underwear (with the sensor facing in toward the child). If the sensor is inside the underwear, sweat may cause it to go off.

My child is wet, but the sensor does not respond.

Check the following things:

• Confirm that the sensor plug is plugged in/attached firmly to the alarm. On occasion, a user may fail to push it in securely when putting the child to bed. It is also not uncommon for the child to disconnect the sensor themselves, either deliberately while awake or accidentally while asleep. If the child is pulling the sensor from the alarm in their sleep, one simple solution is to secure it with a rubber band. 
• If you pulled very hard on the cord, the internal pieces may have become separated.  This type of user-caused damage is not a manufacturing fault and will not be replaced under warranty. Please contact us for a discount on purchasing a spare sensor.
• If you have been using Chummie for more than a few months, try changing the batteries. (Alarm batteries should last more than a year, so this is rarely the problem.)
• Look inside the battery compartment. If the batteries are rusty or there are signs of corrosion on the circuit board, then the alarm has gotten wet and the circuits have been damaged. (This generally happens when the unit has been accidentally put through the wash or dropped in the toilet. This type of user-caused damage is not a manufacturing fault and will not be replaced under warranty. Please contact us for a discount on purchasing a new alarm.

If the child is deliberately unplugging or damaging the alarm, consult with a child psychologist.

The moisture sensor doesn’t seem to be as sensitive as it was originally.

Sensitivity may decrease due to:

• Incomplete washing – Residue and/or lint/fuzz left on the sensor may impair its sensitivity. For this reason, we recommend using Pre-Saturated 70% Isoprpyl Alchol cleaning wipes.
• Damage from improper cleaning – Cleaning the sensor vigorously or pulling the cord hard during cleaning can damage the sensor.
• Significant use. We have not gotten this complaint about any of Chummie’s sensors, but know that it is a frequent concern with other sensors. Competitors report that their sensors maintain their original sensitivity for about five weeks. A new sensor can be purchased individually on the Chummie store.

Can my child still wear PullUps at night?

Yes, however, diapers or waterproof pants must be worn over underwear. Diapers are waterproof. The sensor must be placed on the outside of regular fabric underwear that moisture can permeate in order to trigger it right away upon wetting.

While night diapers help protect the bed, the vast majority of pediatricians and nurses feel that night diapers should not be worn because they "give the wrong message" that it is okay to wet at night and not get up and use the toilet.

Should my child also take medicine for bedwetting while doing alarm treatment?

Some doctors do not recommend using medication at all because of meds’ risks and side effects (rash, irritability, risk of poisoning…). Also, medication only helps temporarily while it is taken. It doesn’t do anything to help address the cause of bedwetting, which is how the child’s brain responds to the body’s bladder signal.

Most doctors say it’s ok if your child wants to take bedwetting medicine for a special occasion, such as a sleepover, to help prevent bedwetting.

However, on normal nights at home, it’s much better to just let the bladder function normally (without meds) and use the alarm by itself, and get right to treating the real source of the bedwetting by teaching the child’s brain how to respond to the full bladder signal.

Do bladder exercises help?

There is no evidence to support the idea that forcing a child to “hold it” to experience discomfort or try to stretch their bladder will help them stop wetting at night. Also, this practice could be psychologically damaging and cause voiding dysfunction later in life.

Can my child use Chummie during the day?

Yes, Chummie can be worn during the day, and offers a discreet vibration-only setting the child can use privately. Because of its One Drop Detection, Chummie can discreetly alert the child to their wetting so they can stop before their clothes become noticeably wet.

In addition, the brain’s learning to be more in tune with bladder signals from wearing Chummie at night may carry over to reduce daytime problems, even if Chummie is not worn during the day.

Can Chummie help my child with special needs with toilet training?

Yes, Chummie can help children, including those with special needs, with toilet training.

Which credit cards and payment methods do you accept?

• Credit cards (Domestic and International): Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Discover
• PayPal
• Google Checkout
• Checkout with Amazon
• Please contact us to make arrangements if you’d like to pay by check or money order

Alternative, you can order Chummie by filling out the Chummie purchase form and faxing back to (408) 599-3020.

How do I know my credit card information is safe?

When purchasing on Chummie.com, your information is protected via several methods:

• Chummie.com uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer), a secure means for handling your online order.
• In addition, most credit card companies provide additional safeguards to protect your online transaction.
• If you prefer, you can your order Chummie on Amazon.com, Buy.com, Bestbuy.com, drugstore.com, target.com or the sites of other well-known retailers. (Prices may be higher than on chummie.com and discount codes may not be accepted).

How will the charge appear on my statement?

The charge will appear as Theos Medical Systems DBA Chummie.com

Do you charge sales tax?

For phone, mail, fax or Internet orders, we are required to collect sales tax for California residents.

When is my order processed?

Orders are typically processed and shipped on the very same day. For detailed shipping policy, please click here. 

Can I cancel my order after it has been submitted?

If we have not yet shipped your order, you can request a change or cancel your order. Call us at 1-408-239-4050. Please have your order transaction number ready. If your order has already shipped, you may return the unused item(s) within 30 days for a full refund, minus delivery costs. See our Returns and Exchanges section.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping charges for orders are calculated automatically when you proceed to checkout for online orders, or when you place your order over the phone. When ordering by mail or fax, you'll need to enter the amount in the appropriate box on your order form. Shipping and handling costs for fax/mail orders are identified on the order form.

How long will my Chummie take to arrive?

In order to get your Chummie products to you as quickly as possible, we have fulfillment centers on both coasts in California and Florida. For most items, orders received before 2PM PST Monday-Friday ship the same day. Orders received after 2PM PST ship the following day. Orders placed over the weekend will ship the following Monday (unless it is a holiday). Within the United States, orders arrive within 2-3 business days of shipment.

For orders placed online, you will receive an e-mail confirmation notifying you once your order is shipped.

All order shipments are subject to product availability and receipt of complete customer order, billing, and shipping information. Shipments are also pending weather restrictions or natural disasters.

How can I check the status of my order?

If you have any question about your order, including order status, call us at1-408-239-4050, e-mail us at [email protected], or  click here and fill up the Order Status form Please include your name, phone number, email address, date of purchase and order  number so that we may assist you as quickly as possible.

How is the package marked on the outside?

Packages are discreetly shipped using USPS/FedEx/UPS/DHL boxes. If you have concerns about privacy, please contact us and we will be happy to ship your Chummie in a discreetly wrapped box.

Note: Packages sent to international and APO addresses require us to list the contents of the package on the customs form.

How do I return an item I don’t need?

You may return your un-opened, un-used Chummie in its original packaging within 30 days for a full refund. Shipping and handling costs are not refundable. Contact us for a return merchandise (RMA) number before shipping. You may call, email or contact us using the returns request form  and click on the Return and Exchanges tab. For sanitary reasons, we cannot accept returns of used alarms, sensors or accessories. Please carefully pack all items to be returned in original packaging. The customer is responsible for return shipping costs, and for using a shipping method that can be tracked and insured.

If your questions are not answered, please click here to contact our support team.

We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.