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How does a bedwetting alarm work?
If your child is around 5 or 6 years of age and still wetting at night, bedwetting alarms aim to help your child wake when recognising the sensation to urinate. An alarm teaches your child's brain to respond to a full bladder, even during sleep. When exposed to wetness (urine) the alarm makes a loud noise to wake your child. The sound needs to be loud enough and quick enough to wake your child prior to complete bladder emptying. When beginning your child will wet and the alarm will sound. Your child (and you) will wake up and you will need to take him to the toilet to completely empty his bladder of any “left over” urine. Initially your child is likely to empty his bladder before reaching the toilet, but with practice this should improve. Using the alarm every night and waking up just after wetting should eventually teach your child's brain to wake up prior to wetting. With time, wetting will happen less frequently and eventually your child will stop wetting altogether. Once your child establishes a consistent pattern of waking during the night prior to wetting then you will no longer need the alarm. Some children stop wetting within days or weeks, other children and can 2-3 months to stop wetting. Bedwetting alarms are the most commonly used tool to help children stop wetting the bed. They are recommended by Continence Nurses and they're 100% safe. Which alarm is best for my child? "My 6yo daughter is such a heavy sleeper we couldn’t get her out of overnight nappies, despite being out of day nappies extremely early. We’ve been using your Rodger Bedwetting Alarm for about 3 weeks consistently and she is now waking herself up once a night (beating the alarm essentially) to go to the toilet. The progress seemed to have come in stages from the alarm going off while she did a pee then she learned to hold most of the pee in when the alarm went off until now finally she is beating the alarm and getting up to pee herself before she lets any go in bed. It’s been such a success and we’re so proud of her. Of course it was a little scary for her at first, a gadget she wasn’t familiar with. We spoke to her about it, tested the alarm together so she knew what to expect and what it sounded like and let her know that there was no pressure and we could just give it a try without expectation. Well we are so happy now it’s been 4 nights of beating the alarm and will now take the alarm away to see how she goes….keeping it close to use again if she slips backwards. Thank you again for the great product and very quick postage." Learn more about the Rodger Wireless Bedwetting Alarm
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How does heat relieve pain from colic?
The old wives' tale has it that a hot water bottle can relieve pain deep in the body - and now scientists have discovered why. A hot compress can physically shut down the normal pain response involved in stomach aches, period pain or colic. "The heat doesn't just provide comfort and have a placebo effect - it actually deactivates the pain at a molecular level in much the same way as pharmaceutical painkillers," said Brian King, a senior lecturer in physiology at University College London, who led the research. Dr King found that if heat is applied to the skin near where internal pain is felt, it switches on heat receptors at the site of injury. These in turn block the body's ability to detect pain. "Heat is recognised by a group of receptors called transient receptor potential channels," said Dr King. "One of them, TRP1, responds to heat at around 40C. It's known to be on the sensory nerves that supply the internal organs like the gut." When someone feels pain in the gut, a separate mechanism is firing. Receptors called P2X3 have detected ATP, a chemical that pours out of cells when they are damaged. The heat response appears to shut these receptors down. "You've got the heat receptor on one side and the ATP receptor on the other side that will recognise the pain. Both are present in our cells and yet, when you activate one, it switches off the other," said Dr King. "What appears to be something that can sense heat can help you get over visceral pain by switching off the pain mechanism." If your baby suffers from with pain from wind, cramps or colic then learn more about our Warm-Ease Heated Baby Belts. Now available https://www.moosebaby.co.nz/collections/moose/products/warm-ease-heated-baby-belt Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/jul/05/health.society
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Twins, Reuben & Oliver test drive our Moose Baby Walker
We were super excited to hear what Saffron, mum to our two gorgeous 'test-driver's' had to say about our Moose Baby Walker. Here is the unedited, version of her fabulously detailed feedback. What do you like about the ‘look, quality and design’ of the walker? First impression of the walker is that is looks expensive. The sizing and proportions of it are generous compared to other cart like walkers on the market, and the overall design of the handles that allow the child’s body to tuck underneath while using it means that it is cleverly designed. The blue colour is really beautiful making it a gender neutral toy that can become an heirloom item. How did you find putting together the walker and the instructions? Putting the walker together was incredibly easy. We did it in less than 5 minutes. (We opened the instructions retrospectively.) Describe how your boys use the walker. The twins LOVE playing with the Moose cart! It has been a point of much excitement. My boys are 12 months old and have no issues pulling themselves up on the bars. I think they could have done this at a younger age also. They are not so low or high that they will grow out of it too fast, or not be able to use it from the recommended age. They have used it all over the house. They do love pushing each other in the cart, standing in the cart and using it like a skateboard, or just sitting in it! They haven’t quite cottoned on to putting things in the cart yet as a form of transport, other than themselves. How do you find the rubber wheels? We love the big rubber wheels on the walker, it makes the motion incredibly smooth when your little one is pushing it. Compared to other walkers we have used with are entirely plastic, it is a lot more stable and has better overall motion. What do you like from a safety aspect? Because of the design and the stability of the cart, it doesn’t tip over when your child goes to pull themselves up or speed away from them. I do like the fact the paint is non-toxic. How can you see this walker helping your boys to learn to walk or gain independence? I can see my child gaining confidence walking with tis toy due to the steadiness of it when it is used and the ergonomics of allowing the feet enough space to move under the handles. It allows their body is in a more comfortable position for walking. Is there anything else you’d like to add? The height of the walker of the thanks to the large wheels is excellent. It means it can go over the top of small toys. The only downside of the walker is that it is heavier than your standard plastic walker and it does need adult supervision while they are still young to help them turn it around or to keep on a “path”. Tell us if you’d recommend this product to others and why? Overall I would recommend this walker to other parents as a learning to walk aide for their children. I think due to the design and of the walker, it will last longer and be used for longer than the other plastic ones on the market. It has uses beyond learning to walk as a toy as children get older. The large rubber wheels make it ideal for using outdoors on your lawn or at the park. The advantage of choosing a cart as a walker also encourages other children to play with it as well rather than it being a solo toy. IT REALLY IS THE PERFECT WALKER This is the perfect walker for your little one! It is beautiful, sturdy and ergonomically designed to allow your littles one’s body to stand at a comfortable position for walking. The big rubber wheels help to give your child confidence as they take their first steps with it, and soon you will find them speeding away. The cart design allows for open-ended and imaginative play for your little one, and any friends or siblings that may join them. I can see this toy being used in our house for a very long time and even generations to come. I highly recommend this to any parent who is looking for the perfect walker or toy for your child – you won’t be disappointed. - Saffron (mum to twin boys) Buy your own Moose Baby Walker
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Which Vibrating Reminder Watch is right for us?
By the time you read this post you may have tried a multitude of different ways to encourage your child to visit the toilet independently throughout the day, yet he is still having accidents. Your little darling just seems too busy and engaged in play to ‘stop and go’. You may have used star charts, rewards, incentives and consequences and yet he is still forgetting, ignoring the ‘urge’ or leaving it to the last minute. Sound familiar? Vibrating reminder watches have been designed to solve this problem and more. Set discreet reminders throughout the day to remind your child of important daily routines. Encourage independence for those with special needs: stay on track with learning and daily schedules. Help for diabetics: reminders to eat a healthy snack or check blood sugar levels. Support to stay on task: help children to keep focused in the classroom. Improve fluid intake: remind your child to drink water regularly throughout the day. Encourage toileting independence: remind your child to visit the toilet at regular times throughout the day. Support independence for the hearing and visually impaired. Vibrating Reminder Watch Comparison Chart Wobl + Vibrating Reminder Watch WobL Vibrating Reminder Watch Mini Moose Vibrating Reminder Watch Alarm Type Sound and/or Vibration Sound and/or Vibration Vibration Maximum Alarm Settings per day 9 8 15 Wrist strap type Silicon Nylon/Velcro Silicon Wrist strap length 22cm 22cm 22cm Price $69.99 $59.99 $49.99 Water Resistance (light splashes) 5/5 4/5 5/5 Ease of use 5/5 4/5 5/5 Colour Choices black, blue, pink, green black, blue, pink, purple black, blue, pink Powered Long Life Lithium battery Long Life Lithium battery Plug in UPS rechargeable Age recommendation From 2 years to small adult From 2 years to small adult From 2 years to small adult Waterproof Yes if used as directed No No Lock out feature Yes Yes No Stop watch function Yes Yes No Date function Yes Yes No Time display Always on display Always on display Press button to show time Repeating Countdown Timer function Yes Yes Yes Warranty 6 months 6 months 6 months More Information: Wobl + Vibrating Reminder Watch WobL Vibrating Reminder Watch Mini Moose Vibrating Reminder Watch
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Is your child scared of needles? Try these 8 positive ways to help
Is your child scared of needles? Try these 8 positive ways to help:1. Consider when to tell your child they need an injection. Avoid telling them weeks or even days beforehand, but perhaps leave it to a day or two before the appointment. When you tell your child, be calm and reassuring. Explain why they need the injection….to stay well and healthy.2. Avoid lying to your child that the procedure won’t hurt. Hiding information about what is going to happen could cause resentment, fear, or trust issues. Talk to your child matter-of-factly about what is going to happen. Say something like, “You have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. You’ll be getting a couple of shots. I just wanted to let you know.” Be sure to answer any questions she might have and be honest. “Yes, it might hurt or pinch a little, but it will be over fast.”3. Before the appointment, let your child see Buzzy and explain how he works. Buzzy’s vibration works by interfering with the pain signals running to your brain. His ice cold wings numb the skin and he provides a distraction to what is happening.4. The day of the appointment, be organised. Make sure you aren’t running late or rushing. Be happy and relaxed. Consider arranging to bring a friend, partner or family member. Keep a drink and snacks in your bag.5. If you child has a special toy, blankie or dummy, bring it along. Depending on the age of your child, consider other forms of distraction such as an ipad or photos on your phone. Practice with the Buzzy Distraction Cards.6. During the procedure act relaxed, positive and supportive. It is well known that your behaviour influences the amount of pain and distress your child feels. Your child will pick up on your anxiety. Be supportive, but not excessive. Research suggests humour and distraction tend to decrease distress.7. At the appointment offer reassuring smiles, words of encouragement and a reward for making it through the procedure. If you or your child are particularly nervous, let the nurse know.8. After the procedure give plenty of praise and gives hugs.
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10 Top Tips for making immunisations a positive experience
The Rise of Needle Phobia No one enjoys getting injections. And yet, over our lifetime there will likely be numerous times when our health will require a medical procedure that involves a needle; whether that’s immunisation, a blood test or delivery of intravenous medicines. Sadly, over the last 20 years, needle phobia has drastically increased; with one in four people suffering from the fear of needles. Perhaps more worryingly, it is believed one in 10 people will avoid vaccinations or needle procedures entirely, due to a fear of needles. This presents a significant challenge for the medical professionals whose job it is to protect us from serious, sometimes life-threatening illnesses. Like many fears, needle phobia often originates from negative experiences in our childhood. Which is why it is so important that we do everything we can to make vaccinations as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Buzzy Bee for pain management It was through personal experience of taking her own son for his routine vaccinations, that Dr Amy Baxter came up with the idea of Buzzy Bee; a playful and effective pain management tool, specifically designed to give children a positive experience when receiving those all important vaccinations. As a medical professional, Dr Baxter was convinced of the need to protect her son from diseases and illness such as measles, mumps, rubella and polio. However, as a mum, she felt ill-equipped to protect him from the traumatic experience of being injected. Baxter reflects on the irony, “Every time we had to go to the doctor, my son would get physically ill. There I was, a paediatric physician and pain specialist, and I couldn’t even protect my own kid. What were other parents going to do?” Motivated on both a professional and personal level, Dr Baxter spent time researching into solutions for reducing the pain and anxiety experienced during childhood vaccinations. As injections and the use of needles play a vital part in modern medical care, she wanted to equip both parents and medical practitioners with a tangible tool that would stop children from developing a fear of needles. The results of Dr Baxter’s research was the creation of Buzzy Bee, a small vibrating bee with cooling ice-pack wings that, along with other proven pain management techniques, can help reduce injection pain by 75%. 10 top tips for reducing the pain of immunisations So what are the techniques you can use to help children through uncomfortable procedures? How can Buzzy Bee help? Here are our top ten tips for reducing the pain of vaccinations. 1. Knowledge is power As it is the parent’s responsibility to bring their children in for immunisations, empowering them to play their part during the procedure is going to lay the foundations for success. Any information given to them prior to the appointment, that outlines the procedure and what they can do to help their children have the best experience possible, will mean they arrive confident and calm. 2. Breastfeeding infants Research shows that breastfeeding can have analgesic effects. Essentially, the physical connection to their mother, the act of sucking and the sweet-tasting milk all help to reduce pain for the baby. For best results, the breastfeeding mother should start breastfeeding before the procedure and continue during and after the injections. 3. The power of sugar For infants up to 12 months, who are not breastfed, a sucrose solution given 1-2 minutes before the injections, also has the potential to give pain relief. One approach to preparing a sucrose solution is to mix one packet or cube of sugar with 10 ml (two teaspoons) of water in a medicine cup. Alternatively, sucrose solutions can be obtained from some pharmacies. Again, if the parent or caregiver bringing the child to the appointment is given this information ahead of time, they can come prepared. 4. Honesty is always the best policy Building up trust with patients is very much on the agenda, so lying to a child and telling them it won’t hurt is not recommended. It may keep them calm before the first injection, but the inevitable pain will then come as a shock and the patient will have learnt that medical professionals aren’t honest with them. Equally, parents should be encouraged to be honest with their child for the same reason. The truth is, it will hurt a bit; but it’s also true that it’s over quickly. 5. The medical practitioner is not to be feared Once the child and accompanying grown up arrives in the room, it’s important to put them at ease. This is your patch, and you are in control. A friendly and happy medical professional will affirm the thought that this is nothing to worry about and certainly nothing to be fearful of. Introducing Buzzy Bee to the young patient, gives you an opportunity to engage them in conversation and create a rapport with them. 6. Injection order Generally, children will be receiving more than one injection during their appointment, and some vaccinations are more painful than others. Plus, pain increases with every injection. Studies have shown that, when multiple injections are required, giving the most painful injection last will decrease the overall pain from both injections. 7. Sitting up, not lying down Research shows that infants and children sitting up during injections is better for management of pain. Depending on the age and size of the child, helping them to get in a comfortable position whilst their parents hold them will mean the health practitioner is able to focus on giving speedy and successful injections. As they are settling themselves on their parent’s lap, you can help attach Buzzy Bee near to the injection area. For best results, Buzzy should be put into position 30—60 seconds before the injection. 8. Tactile Stimulation Providing tactile stimulation reduces the sensation of pain. It has been proven that vibration and cold can block the pain of an injection, in the same way that rubbing a bumped elbow helps the pain go away or cold running water soothes a burn. Buzzy uses a combination of cold and vibration to replace pain with temperature and movement. Buzzy confuses the body’s nerves and distracts attention away from the pain, thereby dulling or eliminating sharp injection pain. 9. Distraction We all know the pain is real, but it’s fleeting and distraction away from the procedure can make it feel like it was over in a second. Studies show that when parents focus on subjects that aren’t connected to the injection and try to make the child laugh, it’s far more effective than when they sympathise and console. Using Buzzy Distraction Cards will help parents to stay away from the unhelpful topics. With older children and teenagers, audio or visual devices provide effective distraction. This is one of those rare times when they should be encouraged to play on their iPhone. Why not put together a distraction kit for your clinic, including: a Buzzy Bee, distraction cards, pop-up books, bubbles, pinwheels and party blowers. 10. Breathing Techniques Slow, deep breathing exercises not only work as a relaxation strategy, if facilitated by toys or activities, for example blowing bubbles, blowing a pinwheel or party blowers, they also serve as a distraction by focusing attention away from the procedure. Show the child how to “tummy breath”, taking a deep breath in and then blowing it out slowly. Keep coaching the child to breathe deeply during the procedure. Lasting memories Once the injections are done, lots of praise will go a long way. Positive affirmation as the last part of the procedure is a great way to end. By using a combination of these top ten tips for pain reduction, patients will remember the needle pain as only a small part of the procedure. With any luck, the lasting memories of immunisations taken into adulthood will be of Buzzy Bees and funny conversations.
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Help, my son sleeps through the bedwetting alarm
My 7 year old son is a very deep sleeper and for the first 3 nights of using the alarm he has slept through the sound. It is very loud and we can hear it. What should we do? Firstly, this is very common when beginning to use a bedwetting alarm. Many bedwetters are deep-sleepers. At first, your child’s brain isn’t familiar with the alarm sound and doesn’t realise that an important response is required. Our children are also conditioned to allow their parents or caregivers to deal with loud or unusual noises during the night. Interestingly, research conducted by manufacturers of smoke alarms also reflects this phenomenon. The research discovered, many children sleep through the extremely loud sound of a smoke alarm and it’s not until their parents go to their room and say their name that they actually wake up. At the start, the alarm is for the parents or caregivers. Initially you will need to respond to the sound by going to your son's room, waking him and helping him turn off the alarm and walk to the bathroom. By doing this every time the alarm sounds, over time his body will begin to relate the alarm sound with a full bladder and the need to walk to the toilet and release his bladder. Within a few weeks, you should see him waking to the alarm, sitting on his bed or trying to turn off the alarm. You will also begin to see smaller wet patches in his bed with more urine left to empty in the toilet when he reaches the bathroom. It is important that you can hear the alarm. If your room is far away, using a baby monitor or getting a second base unit for your room is a good option. Another option is to share his room for a short time. Some children need to urinate once a night, others more often and the need to urinate can occur any time in your son's sleep cycle. When in deep REM sleep and in the first few hours of falling asleep, children can frequently be disoriented, crying or saying funny things. At first you’ll need to lead him gently in the direction of the toilet and give him instructions. He most likely will not remember any of this in the morning. Do not be discouraged by this. He will still make progress even without a clear memory of the night before. As your child learns to respond to the alarm sound on his own, your role will be less significant. You can listen from your room and make sure he is getting to the toilet. If you don't hear him responding, remind him what to do. Make sure he does not turn off the alarm and go back to sleep without walking to the toilet as this will delay his progress. A good guide is to have your child wear the alarm until he has 2 successive weeks of dry nights, then every other night until he has 2 more weeks of dryness. The average child takes around 10-12 weeks to achieve this. As long as he is making progress, continue to use the alarm. Learn about our Best-Selling Alarm
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4 ways to prevent a flat spot
Some babies develop misshapen, flat or an uneven head shape from too much time spent lying on one part of the head. This is called ‘positional head-flattening’ or medically the term is Plagiocephaly (play-gee-oh-kef-a-lee). Here are 4 simple ways to avoid a flat sport forming. 4 ways to prevent a flat spot forming on your baby’s head Head and cot position for sleep:A newborn baby will generally stay in the position they are placed for sleep, until they can move themselves. Alternate your baby’s head position when they sleep. Place your baby at alternate ends of the cot to sleep, or change the position of the cot in the room. Babies often like to look at fixed objects like windows or wall murals, so changing their cot position will encourage them to look at things that interest them from different angles. Play time:When your baby is awake and alert, play or interact with them facing you (face time) or place them lying down on their front (tummy time) or on their side from as early as one or two weeks of age. Place rattles or toys (or other people’s faces) that your baby likes to look at in different positions to encourage your baby to turn their head both ways. Even at two weeks of age your baby can follow your voice or eyes (maintain eye contact) and turn their head themselves each way if you support their head in your hands while they are awake and alert. Carrying position: Vary your holding and carrying positions of your baby: Avoid having your baby lying down too much by varying their position throughout the day, e.g. use a sling, hold them upright for cuddles, carry them over your arm on their tummy or side. Baby Head Shape Support: When your baby is laying on a flat surface such as their cot, bassinet or on the floor, use a Baby Head Shape Support to provide gentle cradling to reduce pressure on one area of their skull. Remember to always sleep baby on his back. Learn more about the Baby Head Shape Support.
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Choosing the right bedwetting alarm
At first nocturnal enuresis (best known as bedwetting) sounds like a disease, but it’s not. Even so, in some children it can cause serious embarrassment and poor self-esteem. What is Nocturnal Enuresis? Nocturnal enuresis, in layman’s terms, is bedwetting. If you have a child over the age of six who is wetting the bed, you may have tried everything and now you are wondering if there is any help. There is, and it’s called a bedwetting alarm. What is a bedwetting alarm? One of the main causes of bed wetting in children is a combination of deep sleeping patterns and over production of urine. Making use of the best bedwetting alarms can help teach a child’s body to better respond to a full bladder, as well as help break the deep sleep cycles that are typical of this behaviour. An electronic bedwetting alarm sounds an alert as soon as a child begins to urinate. Bedwetting alarms are designed to assist bedwetters in training their brains to react to their full bladders by awakening and using the toilet. A bedwetting alarm “senses” moisture as the first drops of urine are released, and sounds a shrill alarm, waking the child. A feeling of bladder fullness will eventually replace the sound of the bedwetting alarm as the signal to the sleeper’s brain that it’s time to get up and visit the toilet. Bedwetting alarm therapy is actually a type of behavioral conditioning. There are three types of best bedwetting alarms: Wearable Bedwetting Alarms With a wearable alarm, the sleeper places the moisture sensing device in his or her pyjamas or underwear. A wearable bedwetting alarm reacts to the urine almost immediately. This type of bedwetting alarm is a design in which the child wears the moisture sensor, which is connected to the alarm device by means of a cord, in or on their underwear or pajamas. WetStop3 is with little doubt the best wearable bedwetting alarm available in the market today. It is a good cost-effective alarm. Bed-and-Pad Bedwetting Alarm In an alarm-and-pad bedwetting alarm, the moisture sensor is in the form of a pad placed beneath the sleeper. The sewn-in sensors in the pad detect moisture and the alarm sounds. The sensor pads which come with the Wet Detective from Potty MD have the added advantage of being waterproof, which means you don’t need an extra waterproof pad on the bed (as well as the sensor pad). The pads are also industrial quality so they withstand wash after wash. This is a good option for those children who don’t want to wear an alarm. They are also good for adults, the elderly and those with special needs. Wireless Bedwetting Alarm The third type of bedwetting alarm, the wireless alarm, has a moisture sensor which communicates to the alarm unit with a transmitter. The base unit (receiver) is plugged into a wall in the bedroom (one can also be plugged into the parent’s room). This is the newest technology in bedwetting alarms. The Rodger Wireless Bedwetting Alarm comes with underwear with sewn-in sensors. The added advantage of this alarm over others is that moisture is detected immediately thereby triggering the alarm to sound immediately to wake the child. Bed wetting therapy experts have estimated that, with consistent and proper use, the best bedwetting alarms will train children to wake before wetting in around four to six weeks. Some train much quicker, within days, others take longer. Bedwetting alarms are successful in around eighty percent of young bedwetters. Alarm Type Alarm Type Useful for Advantages Wet Stop 3 Wearable alarm with clipped on sensor and cord Sound and vibration Children Cost effective. Simple to use. Proven success (sold since 1979). Wet Detective Sensor pad on bed and alarm unit beside bed Sound Children Adults Special Needs Elderly Can be set to a loud setting. Pad is waterproof. Simple to use. Comfortable – no cables. Rodger Wireless Alarm Wearable sensor underpants with transmitter. Base unit plugged into wall. Sound Children Adults Special Needs Latest technology. Comfortable – sewn-in sensor underpants. No cords. Moisture detected immediately. Bedwetting alarm advice: Choose the right time. Choose times when routines are not interrupted too much. Talk to your child about how the alarm works and help him get prepared each night (spare pyjamas, night light, change of underpants/bed pad). Make setting the alarm part of your everyday bedtime routine. Do not skip nights. Be POSITIVE! Give plenty of encouragement and stay confident and positive along the way. Work on daytime toilet habits too. Encourage regular fluid and toilet stops throughout the day. Avoid using nappies or pull-ups—your child should feel the wetness. For some children it takes time before they wake to the sound of the alarm. Be patient & assist your child with waking when the alarm sounds. With time they will wake by themselves. Remain PATIENT throughout the process. Some children become dry within days, others take weeks. As you continue to use the alarm every night the number of dry nights will begin to outnumber the wet ones. However, during the training process, expect the occasional accident to occur. This is normal as your child’s body develops. SHOP BEDWETTING ALARMS
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