Table of Contents
Overview
You may have mastered how’s on diaper-changing, and changing them during the day while they’re awake is now easy-peasy. Now you face the next challenge, changing them during the night. Watching your precious little one sleep peacefully is very relaxing and fulfilling. However, you suddenly smell something funky, did your baby just poop-ed? Do you need to change the diapers? Do you need to wake them up? We’ll help you know the answers so, read on!
Should I wake my baby for a diaper change?
We all know how diaper changing can be very straightforward and easy during the day, but it can be a different scenario during the night. When you have a baby, sleep can become a luxury for you and your baby as well. That’s why diaper changing at night can be something you ponder on before doing.
When you’re baby is sleeping soundly, that necessarily means that they are still comfortable with the diapers they are in. However, if they are too wet and soaked that it already when through the pajamas, or the diaper smells and is poopy, of course, you will need to change them. You also need to change diapers at night if your baby has serious diaper rashes or skin infections.
Nighttime Diaper Changes – Tips and Tricks
Establish a routine
Being able to establish a nighttime routine is beneficial not only for you but also for your baby. This will greatly help when it comes to having enough time to rest and sleep at night—having a routine works best for your baby since babies find comfort in something that is done routinely. An inconsistency in the nighttime diaper changes might be uncomfortable for your child and can cause sleepless nights for both you and your baby. If your daytime changing involves tons of giggling and playfulness, then you might want your nighttime routine to be toned down. When changing diapers during the night, avoid completely waking them up. You may sing lullabies or make soothing massages before and after changing diapers.
Keep the lights dim and the sounds minimum.
When changing during the night, you mustn’t fully wake your baby. Keeping the lights dim and staying as quiet as possible is a good way to maintain the sleeping wavelength. You may use a night light or a bedside lamp, dim enough not to stun your baby with brightness but sufficient enough for you to change the diapers well.
You also have to stay as quiet as possible, so your baby will not have a hard time going back to sleep. If your baby likes falling asleep to instrumentals, lullabies, and soothing music, you can play those while changing diapers at night. Also, remember not to engage too much with your little one during the nighttime changes.
Dressing up conveniently
During bedtime, always dress your baby in onesies, pajamas, or clothes that are easy to open at the bottom area. Dress your baby conveniently so that you will not have a hard time when it comes to removing the soiled diaper. Having your little one wear accessible and loose-fitting clothes will also lessen the movements you have to do with your baby while changing the diapers.
Keep baby clean and fresh before bedtime.
It is recommended that you change your baby with clean and fresh ultra-absorbent diapers before they sleep. This helps put your baby into a comfortable sleep and will ensure that their nighttime diaper remains dry for a longer duration. A fresh and clean feeling will surely give you and your baby a good night’s sleep and relaxation.
Change diapers if the baby wakes up for feeding
If your little one tends to ask for a bottle or wakes up during nighttime feedings, we suggest that you change the diapers before feeding. You may also change your little one’s diapers while feeding; however, you must not wait for them to finish their meal before you change them as this will make going back to sleep difficult.
Ultra-absorbent diapers for nighttime
Using an ultra-absorbent diaper during the night will reduce the risks of getting completely soaked, reducing the need for a nighttime diaper change. This variant of disposable diapers may be quite pricey, but they are worth every penny if they will mean a good and uninterrupted sleep for you and your little one. Always make sure to choose the best diapers and that the diaper fits well to avoid messy leaks here and there.
Use creams and ointments
If you get bothered thinking that a wet diaper all night might cause rashes, we suggest that you apply a generous amount of cream or ointment before putting on a fresh diaper. The cream will serve as a barrier between the wet diaper and the skin, therefore protecting your baby from a possible diaper rash.
Change poopy diapers ASAP.
It may be okay to leave wet diapers alone until your baby wakes up, but not changing a dirty and poopy diaper is a no-no! Not changing soiled diapers can become a source of infection and may cause serious problems if your baby has existing rashes or skin infections around that area. When changing poopy diapers during the night, always do it as quickly and as quietly as you can to avoid fully waking your baby and so that they may be able to go back to sleep right away.
Final Thoughts
Nighttime diaper changing is extremely needed if your baby’s diaper is soaked wet, has been pooped on, or if your baby has some serious rashes that need special care. Newborns may need numerous changes, and this will include nighttime changes. However, as your baby grows older, they will eventually urinate and defecate less during the night. Also, if your baby tends to be really comfortable in his sleep, there’s totally no need to wake them up.
Nighttime diaper changing needs extra patience, quick and quiet moves. If you are a new parent, you may find this difficult, but trust us, this task gets a lot easier day by day. With a lot of practice and experience, you will eventually master the stealth-mode diaper changing technique. Don’t worry cause you also won’t be doing this forever. Eventually, as your little one grows, they will stop needing nighttime diaper changes and will be able to sleep peacefully and comfortably through the night with just one diaper.