Did you know new parents will get less than 5 hours of sleep each night for the first year of their baby’s life?
According to a study, the average is 4 hours and 44 minutes. That’s nearly half the recommended 8-hours-a-night rule!
And as they get older, it doesn’t get much better. Whether it’s hunger, out of habit, or because they’ve had a nightmare, sleepless nights are common. On top of these issues, you could wake to find them in a puddle.
So, how can you prevent diaper leaks at night? Read on for the 411.
Preventing Diaper Leaks at Night—The 411
Just one diaper leaking at night can turn a peaceful night’s sleep into a chaotic mess. Not only do you have to clean up your little one, but depending on the scope of the problem you may have to change ALL the sheets and more.
But don’t panic. There are ways to prevent diapers from leaking at night. Here are 7 of our top tips.
1. Invest in the Best Diapers for Nighttime Leaks
Rule number one has to be this—buy the best overnight diapers for toddlers and babies. Because if you scrimp on quality, both you and your little one will suffer.
There are some high-quality nighttime diapers available that are specifically designed for the job at hand. Nighttime diapers are generally more absorbent and thicker than regular diapers.
While nighttime diapers are a little more expensive, you only need to use them at night. So the box will last longer than you might think.
Of course, if you’ve opted for eco-friendly options, such as cloth diapers, what can you do? You can use eco-friendly diapers made from bamboo pulp instead. They soak up a lot better than cloth diapers, but they are bio-degradable, which makes them a great choice for eco-friendly moms.
2. Give Them a Boost
While you might have the best diapers for nighttime leaks, what if they don’t work for your child? Or what if you really want to stick to cloth nappies? There is a secret strategy that you may not know about—diaper booster pads!
You may not have heard about them before, but they are a handy invention for preventing leaky diapers. The booster pads look similar to a feminine pad and fit inside a regular or overnight diaper. It acts as a “first line of defense”.
Some booster pads absorb up to 8 oz. of liquid. And once the pad’s full, the diaper absorbs the rest. It really is that simple!
3. Size Up
Size up, the answer could be as simple as that.
Once your baby or toddler is reaching the diaper size limit, leaks may start. Try increasing their nappy size. This may solve their bed-wetting conundrum in a matter of minutes.
If the diaper seems a bit too big and bulky for their day time excursions, just use the bigger ones at night. And keep the smaller size for their daytime activities.
But remember that if the diaper is too big for them, that will actually cause more leaks. Make sure there are no gaps and that it fits comfortably.
4. Positioning is Key
While the size is important, positioning is also vital to preventing leaks. With disposable diapers, make sure the leg bands are on the outside. These frilly edges help create a seal and keep the wetness in.
If they’re leaking out the front, make sure the rise is high enough over their stomach. The front of the diaper should fit snugly under their belly button. And with boys, make sure their penis is pointed down—upwards is a complete no-no!
If they leak out of the back of the diaper, pull the back of the diaper up higher. And make sure it fits snugly around the legs and tummy.
5. Stealthy Diaper Change
How to prevent diaper leaks at night? Make sure to change them right before they go to sleep. When they fall asleep with a fresh diaper, it might not overflow throughout the night.
But if that doesn’t work, you may have to do a stealth diaper change. Before you go to bed yourself, sneak in and change their diaper. This could make all the difference to a dry night’s sleep.
If your little one is a light sleeper, this might create more problems than you can solve, no matter how stealthy you are. Only attempt this if you’re sure they’ll sleep through the change.
6. Toddlers Drinking Routine
This only applies to toddlers as babies need to take in formula regularly. Whatever you do, NEVER withhold feeding your baby to stop their diaper leaking at night.
However, toddlers are a different matter.
If they regularly drink something right before bed, their diaper will fill up quickly. Try to change up their routine and make sure they drink an hour before bedtime. If they are still holding onto a bottle at night, try do away with it for good.
This means on their final diaper change before they sleep, you will dispose of most of the liquid before they catch some zzz’s. This will lead to a dryer night’s sleep.
7. Save the Linen
If all else fails and you still find your little one wet at night, try to make the change as effortless as possible. Use waterproof sheets and linen savers to protect the mattress.
A handy tip is to have two waterproof sheets on the mattress already. This means you only have to strip off the first layer and their bed is ready for sleeping.
Waterproof sheets are worth the investment, as you’ll be needing them when they start potty training later.
Sleep Like a Baby, Finally!
As you can see, you can prevent diaper leaks at night. You just need a good bedtime routine and the right tools for the job. If you follow these tips, one thing’s for sure—both you and your baby will finally get the chance to sleep like a baby!
For more foolproof tips for moms and dads, check out the “Family Life” section of our blog.