Wet sheets in the morning send many parents shopping for overnight diapers, but a fit problem or a diaper that was put on too early can cause the same leak. Work through this list from the free fixes to the product changes, so you know what is going wrong before you spend money. If an older child who was dry at night starts wetting the bed, that is a question for your doctor.
Rule out fit before anything else
Compare your child's current weight with the range on the pack, and look at the diaper sizing guide if the weight sits near the top or bottom of that range. A diaper that is too small or too big leaks at night just as it does by day. At the next change, check that the leg cuffs are pulled out, the tabs are level and the waistband is snug, with room to slide two fingers under it. Fix any of these first, because a different product will not help if the edges are not sealing.
A fresh diaper right before sleep
Make the diaper change the last step of the bedtime routine, right before the lights go out, rather than putting a diaper on before the bath or an evening feed and leaving it. A diaper that has already been used a little has less room left for the night.
If you already change your baby at a night feed, run the same fit checks then, since a rushed change in dim light is an easy time to leave a cuff tucked in. How often a young baby needs changing overnight is a question for your doctor, nurse or public health nurse.
Work out where the leak comes from
Check the diaper, the pyjamas and the sheet before you clean up, because the pattern tells you what to change.
- Wet at the thighs, diaper not heavy: the leg cuffs or the size.
- Wet up the back: the back waistband sitting low.
- Wet at the front: the front waistband sitting low or folded over.
- Soaked, heavy and bulging, with leaks at several edges: the diaper was simply full.
The first three are fit problems, and a different product may not fix them. The last one is where absorbency comes into play.
Pyjamas and sleep sacks that press on the diaper
Sleepwear that squeezes the diaper pushes liquid out at the edges. Look for tight pyjama waistbands, footed sleepers that are too short in the body and pull at the crotch, and sleep sacks or layers that press at the waist and thighs. In a Canadian winter, extra layers add up around the diaper, so check the fit at the thighs and waist.
Go by the weight or height range on the sleepwear's label rather than the age printed on it. How a young baby should be dressed for sleep is a safe-sleep question, so ask your doctor, nurse or public health nurse before adding layers.
Options: an overnight line, a size up or a booster pad
An overnight line
Some diapers are made and labelled for night use. The overnight diapers collection gathers them in one place, and one option is Huggies Overnites Diapers, Size 4, 100 Count. Read the product page to see what the maker says, and check the sizes listed, because not every line comes in every size.
A size up
This makes sense when your child's weight is within the next size's range, or when the current size is clearly too snug. A diaper that is too big gaps at the legs and waist, so do not size up on a guess.
A booster pad
A booster pad is an extra absorbent pad that goes inside the diaper. Check that the pad is made for a baby's diaper in your child's size, since some booster pads are sized for adult products. Follow the instructions on its pack, then check that the diaper still fastens flat and the pad is not bunched. It adds bulk, so recheck the fit around the legs.
Change one thing at a time and give each change a few nights. Otherwise you will not know what worked.
Protecting the mattress while you sort it out
For a baby in a crib, use only what the crib mattress maker and safe-sleep guidance allow. Do not add pads, towels or loose layers to the crib without asking your doctor, nurse or public health nurse first.
For a child in a bed, a zippered protector keeps the mattress covered. For a twin bed, one option is Vinyl Mattress Protector, Zippered, Twin. A washable pad from the Washable Underpads & Bed Pads collection can go over the fitted sheet, so you can lift it off in the night instead of stripping the bed. Keep a spare set of sheets and dry pyjamas near the bed so a night-time change takes only a few minutes.
Shop this guide
- Pampers Cruisers 360 Diapers, Size 3, 168 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Mattress Protector Zipper Vinyl 36" x 80" x 6.5"
- Bambo Nature Diapers, Size 5, 25 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Vinyl Zippered Crib Mattress Cover Full Encasement 28in x 52in Standard Size Waterproof White
- See all: Baby Diapers & Training Pants
- See all: Waterproof Mattress & Furniture Protectors
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
The checklist in one place
- Weight is within the pack's range for the size.
- Leg cuffs are out, tabs are level and the waistband is snug.
- The diaper goes on right before sleep.
- Check the diaper, pyjamas and sheet in the morning to see where the leak came from.
- Sleepwear is the right size and nothing presses on the diaper.
- Try one product change at a time: an overnight line, a size up or a booster pad.
- Give each change a few nights.
- The mattress is protected, and a spare set of sheets and pyjamas is within reach.
Common questions
Does an overnight diaper guarantee a dry bed?
No product can promise that. Fit, size and timing still matter, which is why they come first in this list.
Do I need an overnight diaper if the only problem is fit?
Probably not. If the leak is at the legs, back or front waistband, fix the fit first, then see whether the leaks continue.
My toddler was dry at night and has started leaking. Is it the diaper?
A change in an older child's night-time pattern can have many causes. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist rather than guessing.
Not sure which step to try next? Tell us what you are seeing through our contact page and we will help you choose.