Few things interrupt a peaceful night’s sleep like your baby’s diaper leaking through to their PJs and sheets – or a full-blown diaper blowout.
Whether you're dealing with your toddler peeing through their diaper or your newborn’s total diaper blowout, we have you covered. In this article we’ll review why your baby keeps peeing through their diaper at night, how to stop overnight diaper leaks, and what diapers are best at preventing diaper blowouts.
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Why Nighttime Diaper Leaking is So Common
Babies continue to pee at night well into toddlerhood – even once they stop waking to feed. It takes time for them to develop bladder control – often between 2 and 4 years old. Therefore, their diaper may fill up by morning, causing a leak if it can’t withstand all the urine production.
On the contrary, newborn diapers are designed to be changed frequently, so if it gets too full during a longer sleep stretch it may leak. On top of that, newborns and infants also still poop while sleeping – they eat during the day and night, and their bathroom habits follow that, too. For newborns specifically, their bowel movements are more loose, which makes diaper blowouts even more common.
For babies and toddlers of all ages, a too large or too small diaper can cause an increase in leaks at night. Babies move in their sleep, so if the diaper doesn’t fit properly, it can either shift or let out leaks. Also, when babies are going through a growth spurt, they may feed more. Don’t be surprised if sizing up a diaper comes alongside a few nighttime leaks.
For babies that sleep on their backs, they are more likely to leak out the back – and for older babies who roll over to sleep on their tummies, front leaks can happen.
Finally, another reason why diapers leak at night can be because of the type or brand of diaper you use. For example, if your little one’s diaper is not designed to prevent leaks for longer periods of time or doesn't have proper leak protection, they may leak out the back – or front. Or sides.
For older babies who sleep longer stretches, choosing a diaper designed to be super absorbent and prevent leaks for up to 12 hours – and can withhold a baby who moves a lot in their sleep – is key.
How to Stop Overnight Diaper Leaks or Blowouts
While diaper leaks or blowouts are common, and sometimes out of our control, there are ways to help prevent diaper blowouts and reduce the chance your baby’s diaper leaks at night.
- Size Up for Overnight: Sleep consultant and co-founder of Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM Mandy Treeby always recommends sizing up your baby’s diaper at night if they are prone to leaks. A larger diaper can hold more, especially if your infant pees through their diaper at night. However, keep in mind in some cases a larger diaper can cause additional leaks if it’s way too big.
- Try Overnight Diapers: While diapers like Pampers Swaddlers are designed to prevent leaks for up to 12 hours, if your little one tends to go extra at night, you can try a diaper made specifically for overnight sleep. Specifically designed to prevent diaper leaks at night, they offer extra absorbency.
- Choose a Blowout Barrier: Certain diapers are designed to prevent diaper blowouts up the back. Extra material can help keep bowel movements where they belong – in the diaper, not on sheets or PJs.
- Know When to Change Diaper Size: If the diaper is too small, it can’t hold enough. If it’s too big, it can gap and leak. Getting the right size – and knowing when to switch – is key to preventing diaper blowouts and leaks. Try Pampers’ My Perfect Fit to make sure your baby’s diaper is the right size, meaning proper backside coverage, sits at the navel, and no pressure marks or gaps.
- Limit Evening Fluids: For toddlers, some experts recommend limiting extra fluids before bed can help control nighttime output. Speak to your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
- Point it Down: For baby boys, another way to prevents diaper leaks is to point their penis down when diapering so they don’t have leaks up the front.
- Keep Putting to Sleep on Back: Even if your baby leaks out the back, the safe sleep practices say to put a baby under one-year-old to sleep on their back. Pampers designs their littlest diapers to account for back sleeping, to help prevent leaks out the back.
- Optimize Schedule: As your baby’s wake windows and time between feedings start to increase, they may start going to the bathroom more during the day than at night. While biologically they won’t be able to control their bowels until at least 1-1.5 years old, the more they eat, drink, and play during the day, the less they will make in their diaper at night. Thousands of parents use the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers app to get their baby on a schedule that helps reduce nighttime wakeups (or early morning wakeups).
When to Talk to Healthcare Provider About Diaper Leaking or Nighttime Blowouts
Occasional diaper leaking at night is normal for newborns, infants, and even toddlers. However, if your baby is having frequent blowouts, or is continuing to wet the bed after a certain age, you should talk to your healthcare provider to see if they have advice. They can also help identify, rule out, and treat potential digestive or urinary issues.
Examples for when to seek care for nighttime blowouts
- Bowel movements are diarrhea, and it lasts more than a few days
- Persistent rashes from wetness
- Concerns about your baby’s hydration or nutrition (also if they are refusing solids or feedings)
- Nighttime blowouts or tummy discomfort happen around introducing solid foods
- Frequent blowouts are affecting your baby’s sleep
Examples for when to seek care for diaper leaking
- Sudden increase in nighttime peeing or peeing in general
- Persistent rashes from wetness
- Concerns about your baby’s hydration or nutrition
- If your child is over 5 (it may be normal, but always worth bringing up to your healthcare provider)
- Diaper leaking is affecting your baby’s sleep
Final Thoughts
While there’s no surefire way to avoid diaper leaks at night, especially if it’s your newborn’s nappy leaking at night, there are ways to help prevent them and keep your little one happy and comfortable.
If your baby continues to wake up throughout the night even without a diaper leak, take this free 3 minute sleep quiz to see what else could be causing the disruption.
