Leaky Leaky, Soiled & Stinky: Great Ways to Avoid Diaper Leaks at Night!
Author: Stef Daniel
It is no fun pulling a soggy baby from their bed only to find that the sheets, pillows, and bumper pads are soiled with pee from a leaking diaper. Not only is this not healthy for the baby, it means extra work for mom that has to be done before naptime! What a horrible way to start the day! There are some things you can do to help avoid this mushy mess until the beautiful time when your toddler is officially potty-trained!
Realize that most moms don't feel that nighttime diapers or pull-ups are very effective at preventing leaks. They don't seem to be designed to hold in 10 hours worth of pee, no matter how expensive they are. While some brands are better than others, you will most likely have to take extra steps. One good first step to prevent the leaks is to use the thick cloth underwear either under or over the diaper. This will provide extra absorbency and, if used underneath, they are a great way to help children realize when they are wet. They are easy to wash and dry and will actually motivate your child to potty train!
Another solution for the bed soaking blues is to order specially made, plastic-backed bed covers. They are rather inexpensive, will save the mattress from getting wet if leaks occur, and they are easy to throw in the washer and dryer. The nice part is that they don't have that plastic feel or noise like many do. If you check out online bedwetting sites, you can choose from a ton of sizes that will make sure the entire bed is covered and dry in the morning. Another benefit is that these are designed, much like hospital pads, to draw the moisture down so that your baby is not lying in a puddle all night.
If none of these seem to help, there is the option of changing clothes during the night. Most moms would not want to do this because as the old catch phrase says, "let sleeping dogs lie," however, if no other solution can be found this may be the only way to avoid it.
Obviously, part of the problem if your child is leaking through their diaper at night is that they are drinking too much before bed. According to pediatricians and dentists, many children clinging to bottles or sippy cups are actually drinking too much in the evening hours. Since there is no way for their small kidneys and bladder to process it quickly, they will urinate often throughout their sleep. If the problem is persistent, chances are the only way to avoid it will be to limit drinking around 2 hours before bedtime. If your child is old enough, encourage then to use the potty during those 2 hours. Some children actually hold their urine because they are so busy, and with careful prodding you can make huge steps toward potty training by encouraging them to use the bathroom. For all purposes, limiting evening drinking is the best solution!
There has not been any one type of diaper or pull up that is completely leak resistant, especially when exposed to extensive amounts of urine. This problem can plague parents for years and using the combination of the solutions above may be the best way to stop it. If nothing seems to work, then using diapers made for older children who bed wet or even grown-ups may prove effective as they have a higher percentage of absorbency. They may be a bit difficult to put on, but they should effectively reduce the chances that you will wake up in the morning to a wet baby and a load of laundry!
