Diaper leaks and messes are a normal part of a mom’s life, but it would be so much better if they didn’t happen because this cleanup job stinks, both literally and figuratively.
Baby peeing through diaper at night is even worse.
Aside from waking up the baby at an ungodly hour because the wet icky feeling makes him or her feel uncomfortable, the whole leaky mess creates havoc in the surrounding area.
Not only you have to change baby, the diaper, and the PJs, you also have to change the crib sheet, mattress protector and check if it seeped into the mattress.
By the time the whole caboodle is done, you’ll have an awake and alert baby that no longer wants to sleep.
Why does a baby peeing through diaper at night?
One of the primary causes of a diaper leak is that is too small in size already.
This means there isn’t enough absorbent material to catch and contain the volume of pee that is coming from your baby.
If you notice that your child is already reaching the upper level of his or her weigh range for the size of the diaper you are using, then it is most likely time to move onto the bigger size if you want to avoid the baby peeing through diaper at night scenario.
Another reason is that the diaper could have been placed wrong or not secured tightly enough.
Double-check to make sure that all the straps are snapped well and all the holes are sealed in to ensure that nothing seeps out.
Sometimes, the leg gussets bunch up, so you end up with a soaking wiggly baby that spreads the pee all over the bed.
And, of course, this may sound rather snooty, but check your diaper brand.
Did you happen to veer from your normal product?
If so, then that’s your possible culprit.
Most moms will say that their babies have grown accustomed to a specific brand and style.
Sometimes, when that’s out of stock and you resort to another one, it just doesn’t work out.
It’s weird, but it happens.
How to keep baby from peeing through the diaper?
This whole baby peeing through diaper at night is akin to torture.
It is an exercise in futility and frustration because it is costly to keep on doing loads of laundry with the water, laundry soap, fabric conditioner, and energy bills piling up.
Talk about a lot of time, money, effort, and resources wasted because that darn diaper failed at doing its one job.
The most annoying part is that it wakes up the baby and it wakes you up, too.
Oh, that was already said before, but it is worth mentioning again and again because sleep is a precious commodity.
No one wants to be around a cranky baby who is in dire need of rest.
And no one wants to be around a cranky mommy either.
For a busy mom with a full day, shut-eye and sleep are necessary to make it through the next day alive.
Here are some ways to keep baby from peeing through the diaper during bedtime and ensure that your little angel keeps on sleeping peacefully… including you:
Consider Buying a Bigger Diaper
Since the primary source of a diaper leak is the lack of absorbent surface area, then consider purchasing a bigger size.
When the diaper is too small, the absorbent layer isn’t enough to accommodate the volume of pee that your baby makes.
With nowhere for the liquid to go to, of course, it will leak out of the diaper.
When the baby is in the higher end of the weight bracket for the diaper size, then it’s time to move up a notch.
This usually solves the matter completely.
Double Check all the Snaps and Gussets
Although you must think that you’re already a diapering expert because of the money months you’ve changed the diaper, you can still be prone to making mistakes.
The first line of defense against a leaky night time diaper is to make sure that all the snaps are sealed securely at the waist.
Of course, this doesn’t mean cutting off your child’s circulation but do keep the diaper snaps snug enough to keep them from coming off or loosening up as the baby tosses and turns in his or her sleep during the night.
On top of that, check the seams in the leg and make sure the gussets haven’t bunched up.
Sometimes, when this happens, pee seeps outs because the protective garter that keeps things secure is no longer in place.
Choose the Right Kind of Diaper
Stick to the diaper brand your baby has grown accustomed to.
On top of that, it might be worth investing in what you call as overnight diapers.
These nifty products come with extra padding super absorbency so they are a good choice for nighttime wear only.
They are a tad more expensive than regular activewear diapers, but the cost is a minimal increase, and since it will only be for nighttime use, you won’t run out of them quickly.
Use a Booster Pad
Many parent’s swear by these diaper booster pads as their saving grace for nighttime diaper leaks.
This booster pad looks a bit like feminine sanitary pads, but they are designed to fit inside a regular and overnight diaper to act as a defensive barrier because it has the power to absorb as much as eight ounces of liquid.
Once this pad is full, then the diaper catches the rest of the flow.
If you find your overnight diapers are sorely remiss in their duties, this nifty trick might be the solution you’re looking for.
Change your Baby’s Diaper Before Bed Time
Putting on a fresh new diaper for your baby before he or she sleeps is a game-changer that will keep the little angel sleeping soundly throughout the night.
Many parents know this but tend to overlook this part in their mad dash to put the baby to bed.
If your baby is waking up regularly at night, make sure a fresh diaper is placed before he or she dozes off into dreamland.
Do a Nappy Change Before YOUR Bedtime
This will only work during the deep sleep stage, otherwise, you risk waking up your child,
which totally defeats the purpose of using super-absorbent diapers that don’t leak if you are confident that your baby is sleeping like a log
it might be worth sneaking a diaper change right before you doze off yourself.
This ensures that you don’t have to wake up again just to change a diaper when the baby pees.
No Drink Before Toddler Bed Time
Of course, infants who nurse at night are exempted from this rule because they have to be fed regularly to help them grow.
However, toddlers are different because these little monsters have more control and can actually take in solids and not just formula.
If you’ve tried all these nifty tips and the toddler is still leaking through those damn diapers, then consider holding back that drink an hour before bedtime.
Allowing the baby to drink just before he or she nods off is a recipe for a leaky diaper disaster.
Consider Sleep Training
Some babies who are ready for it can be sleep trained.
Many studies indicate that sleep is actually a learned pattern of behavior.
If your child keeps on waking up at night, there are more chances for leaky diapers.
But if he or she is able to train the body to sleep for longer stretches, then leaky diapers will never be an issue anymore.
What to look for in overnight diapers?
Hold up, wait a minute
before you run out and buy a truckload of overnight nappies, so you and baby can get a good night’s rest, read through this to find out what to look for.
Remember, not all brands are created equal, so you might have to go through a little trial and error to see what works the best.
Buy a smaller pack first to keep you from wasting all your money.
These are qualities that you must look out for:
Absorbency
A diaper needs to be absorbent like a sponge so that it can literally suck up all the pee that your baby expels.
The diaper should come with multiple layers.
The best kind is those that transform the liquid into getting because the baby doesn’t have to feel that icky wet feeling.
The protective barrier between the surface and the skin also matters a lot.
Right Fit
if there are red garter marks on your baby’s thighs and waist, then it shows that the diaper you have on hand is now too tight.
Diapers need moving space and flexibility in the waist and leg area.
If your baby isn’t comfortable because the diaper is too tight, then good sleep shall be far behind.
Materials
If you’re worried about diapers that are laced with chemicals and harsh elements, then stick with organic and all-natural diapers that would not aggravate your baby’s sensitive skin.
Reactions
Some babies get rashes from certain brands of diaper.
Do keep an eye out for this because if baby’s skin has a bad reaction with one particular brand, you’ll need to switch it out immediately to a different kind.
Cost
Keep in mind that overnight diapers are more expensive than regular ones.
If budget is an issue, you might want to start clipping coupons and looking out for discount codes.
But remember, these super-absorbent diapers will save you on fabric soap, water, and dryer bills, not to mention your effort, so they’re totally worth the added expense.
When do babies stop peeing at night?
The only way to truly stop baby peeing through diaper at night is for baby to be potty trained.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding the ceasing of nighttime peeing.
But the general rule is babies can stop peeing at night between ages two to four.
By the time they reach 5 and 6 years old, studies indicate that around eighty-five percent of children would be free from waking to pee at night.
Additional information:
- Review of Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors for Bedwetting
- Best Diaper Wet Bags
- Cloth Diapering Options For a Newborn
- Bedwetting in Children
- How to Help Your Child Stop Wetting the Bed
