5 quick tips for preventing overnight diaper leaks

Tip 1: Limit water consumption. 

From birth to roughly age 7, your child will empty their bladder 2 to 3 times at night. Depending on their age, this means they can eliminate up to 30 ounces of urine. Limiting how much your child drinks after 7pm reduces how much they'll pee at night and reduces the chances they'll pee out of their diaper. 

Tip 2: Make sure the diaper is snug. 

Most leaks will occur around your baby's thighs (or waist if you have a boy or a tummy sleeper).  Make sure your diaper is snug enough in these areas so you have just a tad bit of trouble sliding your finger between the diaper and your baby's skin.

Tip 3: Use a diaper designed for overnight use.  

All diapers aren't created equal when it comes to nighttime use.  Make sure you're using a diaper that says "nighttime" or "overnight" on the packaging. Or if you're using cloth diapers, only choose flat, prefold, contour or fitted diapers.  Pocket and AIO diapers tend to leak a lot at nighttime.  Check out this list for recommended disposable and cloth nighttime diapers. 

Tip 4: Size up.

This tip is only for parents using disposable diapers.  As babies get older, their bladder size increases and they can hold more pee.  Diaper companies know this, so larger sizes are designed to hold more urine.  By sizing up your diaper, you're basically increasing your absorbency. For example, a Huggies Size 6 diaper holds 7 to 13 more ounces than their Size 5 diaper.

Tip 5: Add a booster.  

Boosters (or inserts) are cloth pads that help to increase the absorbency of your baby's diaper.  They work on both disposable and cloth diapers.  The most absorbent booster pads are made from hemp.  But while they're great for preventing leaks, they also add more bulk to your baby's diaper and it may take your child some time to get used to the extra padding.  Be sure to look for booster pads with a stay-dry layer so your baby will stay dry and comfortable overnight.