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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and therefore cannot prescribe, treat, or diagnose. I’m a mom and health coach sharing my knowledge and experiences for educational purposes. This does not take the place of any professional medical advice.
It’s late, you’re exhausted, and your baby signals a diaper change might be in order. What now?
Babies, especially newborns, need plenty of sleep to support their rapid growth and development. Disrupting their sleep with unnecessary changes can lead to a fussier baby during the day, which is something no parent wants. Balancing this with the necessity of changing a soiled diaper is where things get tricky.
A soiled diaper definitely calls for a change. A very wet diaper is recommended to change as well; however, I’ll admit I won’t risk waking my toddler up for a change if it’s not disturbing his sleep — unless his pajamas are absolutely soaking wet.
If we’re talking newborn, we’re likely talking frequent wakings and feedings. In this case, I’d definitely recommend changing the diaper upon waking and before feeding. Or if feeding wakes Baby and then you change the diaper, that works too. You’ll figure out a routine that works for your unique situation. The point is, Baby is already up, so go ahead and change the diaper.
One trick you may consider to make leaky diaper messes more easily cleaned is layering the bed with a couple sets of waterproof mattress protectors and sheets. This way, if Baby’s diaper soaked through to the bed, all you have to do (aside from getting Baby a fresh diaper and pjs) is remove the top sheet and the mattress protector under it, and you’re good to go!
You’ll be so glad you did this when you’re half asleep in the middle of the night.
Pediatricians also suggest opting for high-absorbency nighttime diapers to minimize disruptions. Since we use cloth diapers, I’ll double up on the diaper and use extra overnight absorbance layers.
So, when it comes to older babies, it may not be worth it to change a wet diaper in the middle of the night if it’s not disturbing Baby’s sleep. When it comes to younger babies though, if they’re already up for a feed, go ahead and give them a nice, dry bottom too.
In the end, parenting is all about finding your rhythm, and that includes your nighttime diaper-changing routine.
Be flexible. What works for one night may not work for the next. Adjust, reassess, and don’t be afraid to shift the routine (or not) as your baby grows and you learn together.
Adapt and overcome. You got this, Momma.
xo, Mary
P.S. I have a cloth diapering training and other goodies in my free Facebook group. I’d love to see you there!