Does your baby or toddler's diaper leak at night no matter what you do or what brand of diaper you buy?
Every parent has experienced their fair share of diaper leaks. Some leaks are pee leaks, which can make your baby cold and wet, while others may be life-altering blow-outs that leave you bathing your child and changing sheets at 2:00 am. Either way, your baby or toddler's sleep will be derailed, and they will not be very comfortable.
Here are some of my tricks of the trade on preventing a night-time diaper fiasco from a leaking baby diaper.
One size does not fit all in the diaper department.
Girls tend to work better with more padding below and need a tight-fitting diaper. Some boys tend to leak up the sides of their bodies; using a bigger diaper size may do the trick.
Whether you are experiencing a nightly explosion of poop or the occasional wet, pee-soaked sleep sack, there are some excellent solutions for these problems.
Make sure you use the correct size diaper.
Using the correct diaper size may seem like a no-brainer, but it's sometimes not as clear-cut as one would think. A diaper that fits your baby during the day may not be the ideal size for them to wear at night.
For some, bigger is not better. It is a lot of trial and error with fit and brands.
Adjust the fit.
Ensure the diaper is snug but not tight around the legs and waist. Understandably, most parents like to get their money's worth out of every box of diapers.
However, if you are squeaking your kid into a size three diaper when she really should move to a size four, it's a good idea not to use the smaller size at night. Get a larger diaper, even if they look huge, and try that at night.
Use a night-time diaper for night sleep.
Your baby may need a diaper specially designed for nighttime use. Night-time diapers are more absorbent and helpful, but sometimes do not keep poo very well.
Some brands do not make night-time diapers for young babies, but some do, so keep pursuing your quest. Try different night-time diaper brands to see which one works better for your baby. They are all designed a bit differently.
Remember to use diaper cream.
I love a thick white Butt paste that you can lather all over your cute baby's bum. You want to have everyone sleep through the night and avoid a diaper change if there is no leak.
If your child is over five months, you do not have to do a night diaper change if your child has leaked through to their clothes or pooped. A good diaper cream can help prevent diaper rash.
Apply a generous amount of diaper cream to the area, as it can help create a barrier to prevent leaks. If you want to change your baby's diaper, a dream feed is a perfect time to do it. Always change the diaper first and then do the dream feed.
Get a diaper booster pad.
I feel robbed that there were no diaper booster pads when my kids were little. Booster pads are a brilliant invention. Sposie booster pads are a great way to stop the leaks. They make them for newborns through young adults. A sposie is a pad you can place anywhere in your child's diaper for extra absorbency to help soak up heavy wetting. For most of my clients, these pads are a game changer.
Use a booster pad in Pull-Ups.
A booster pad can help toddlers who have switched from diapers to pull-ups at night. Using a booster pad is better than putting your potty-training toddler back into a diaper at night if the Pull-up is constantly leaking. You want to keep the momentum of potty training, and going back into a diaper could create doubt for your child.
Change your child's diaper or Pull-up while they are asleep.
Does that sound like a dicey proposition? This move is not for the faint of heart, but I often advise parents to go for it! Go into your child's bedroom three hours after they have gone to sleep.
You should already have a diaper out and ready. You need to be stealthy like Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible."
Slither over to your toddler's bed, carefully pull his pajama bottoms down a bit, take his diaper off while he is asleep, put a new one on, pull up the PJ bottoms, and leave! You will be amazed at how well this works. It should be done during your child's deep sleep if you decide you want to try it.
Conclusion
Diapers can be tricky and often have a mind of their own. Try out different brands and see what works best for your child. Grandma may need a refresher in diaper changing if the diaper leaks on her watch.
No matter what kind of diaper you use, be mindful of how you put the diaper on at night to keep the integrity of your child's sleep.
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