Full Diaper When Your Baby is Asleep? – What Matters When Changing Diapers at Night

Photo by Minnie Zhou on Unsplash

Many diaper manufacturers promise up to 12 hours of dryness, making nighttime diaper changes seem unnecessary. But is that really the case? Can a diaper last an entire night? And what if there is stool in the diaper or your baby sleeps restlessly?

Here's the good news: A well-fitting diaper can actually last all night without leaking. However, especially for newborns, nighttime changing is often still necessary. One important rule always applies: If there is stool in the diaper, you should change it.

In this article, we’ll give you peace of mind and show you when you should change your baby’s diaper at night and how you can make it a relaxed experience for both you and your baby.

How often does a baby need a fresh diaper?

How often you change your baby’s diaper is very individual and depends on your child. As a general guideline for daytime: check the diaper every two to three hours and change it if needed. While newborns may need 8 to 10 fresh diapers in 24 hours, a one-year-old typically only needs about 5 to 8.

To protect your baby’s delicate skin, you should change the diaper as soon as it gets wet. You’ll notice that especially newborns often let you know, as they naturally prefer a clean and dry feeling.

For stool, the rule is: always change the diaper as soon as you notice it. Prolonged skin contact with stool can irritate the skin or lead to infections such as diaper dermatitis.

Regular changes also help your child develop a sense of their own body. They learn that wetness is followed by a response — an important step on the path toward potty learning. In fact, our study shows that children with cloth diapers become diaper-free almost a year earlier.

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Full diaper and baby sleeping: How to change diapers at night the right way

You might know this situation: your baby is just falling asleep and you hear that little sound meaning they’ve gone in their diaper again. Or maybe your baby has restless phases at night and you wonder if the diaper is the reason.

There are differing opinions about this. Between the promise of full diapers lasting all night and the importance of sleep, the question remains: what is best for your baby's skin?

We are convinced: sleep is incredibly important for your baby and for you as a parent. With the right timing, good preparation, and the right diapers, you can both enjoy restful nights. Modern diapers are designed to absorb a lot of liquid. So you don’t have to wake your baby for every little pee. If you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your child at night, that's the best time to quickly check the diaper and change it if needed. Later on, we’ll show you how to do that gently.

If the diaper is only slightly wet, you don’t necessarily have to change it. However, if you notice there’s stool in the diaper, your child should be changed into something fresh. With gentle handling, your baby will hardly wake up and can go back to sleep peacefully. As soon as your baby’s digestive system matures — usually at around two to three months — stool during the night becomes less frequent. During these first months, it’s likely you’ll change your baby at every nighttime feed.

Do older children still need to be changed at night?

The older your child gets, the more likely it is that you can do without nighttime diaper changes. On the one hand, your child's bladder becomes larger, and on the other, the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) ensures that the body produces less urine at night. Your child’s sleep is less frequently interrupted by the urge to urinate, and the diaper can handle the liquid well. Often, the diaper even stays dry until morning.

If your child sleeps through the night, you don't need to wake them just to change their diaper. You can simply check before you go to bed yourself. If your child wakes up during the night, that’s a good time to check the diaper.

Which cloth diaper at night? For restful nights and healthy skin

Cloth diapers can offer special protection at night, as they often absorb liquid even better and faster than disposable diapers. At the same time, you’re doing something good for the environment and avoiding unnecessary chemicals on your child's skin.

For you and your baby to sleep peacefully, a nighttime cloth diaper should be especially absorbent, comfortable, and absolutely leak-proof—even for side or tummy sleepers.

Maybe when you think of cloth diapers, you picture complicated folding techniques and cumbersome washing. You're not alone! That's exactly why we developed Judes. When we became parents ourselves, we wanted a diaper that was sustainable and healthy for our baby, but just as easy to use as a disposable. Our mission was clear: we wanted to develop the simplest cloth diaper in the world.

Judes are designed to make your life easier. They consist of just two parts: Our inner diaper made of 100% organic cotton offers a soft and comfortable feel. It's super absorbent without being bulky. Thanks to a special weave, it can securely lock in liquid for up to 12 hours. At the same time, the fabric is breathable and ensures a healthy skin climate. The flexible leg cuffs and the carefully designed hook-and-loop fastening provide an optimal fit and maximum leakage protection.

On top of the inner diaper, all you need is the waterproof cover. You put both parts on just as easily as a disposable diaper.

Photo by @plantifultaste

How do you change Judes?

Changing diapers with Judes is just as quick and easy as with disposable diapers. You open the hook-and-loop fasteners, put the used inner diaper into a breathable diaper bag, and hang the cover up to air out. You can reuse the cover as long as it hasn’t come into direct contact with stool.

You see: Judes are well-designed and simple. They quickly absorb liquid, ensuring restful nights. For especially long sleep phases, you can also use a booster insert.

If your cloth diaper does happen to leak at night, check the fit and absorbency. Often it helps to choose a romper one size larger or use an additional absorbent insert. You can find more tips in our guide, what to consider if your diapers are leaking.

My child is very sensitive to wet diapers, what can I do?

Some children are very sensitive to wetness. There are two options here: a thin stay-dry liner ensures a dry feeling on the skin, even when the diaper is wet.

If you notice restlessness at night, you can also support your baby by holding out. During deep sleep, children cannot release themselves. But if you gently hold your baby over a potty, they can relieve themselves while half-asleep and then continue sleeping. Babies naturally have the desire to keep themselves and their sleeping area clean. Relieving themselves in the diaper at night can therefore cause restlessness. If you learn to read your baby’s subtle signals, you not only make nights easier for them but also support their early journey toward potty independence.

Photo by @madame.vio

Changing diapers at night: 4 tips for restful nights

Especially in the first few months, changing diapers at night is often part of the routine. Below we have summarized the most important tips to help ensure the experience remains relaxed for everyone. The best time is usually when your child wakes up on their own. But even if the diaper is full and your baby is sleeping, these tips also help:

1. As little light as possible

To make sure your baby doesn’t fully wake up or can quickly fall back asleep, you should avoid bright light. Bright lights could stimulate your baby’s natural curiosity and disrupt their sleep rhythm. The best choice is dimmable nursing lights, which provide enough light for you without disturbing your baby.

2. Quick and uncomplicated

Make the nighttime diaper change as easy as possible. It's best to have everything you need within reach next to the bed. This way, both of you can settle back down quickly. Remember to have:

• A fresh diaper
• Wet wipes or a washcloth
• A changing mat (a towel is often enough)
• Spare clothes for emergencies
• A diaper bag for the used diaper or wet clothes (this refers to a type of waterproof laundry bag especially suited for cloth diapers)

3. The right sleepwear

The right sleepwear can shorten the diaper change process. Sleeping bags that open from the bottom are ideal. This way, you don’t have to undress your child completely and they won’t get cold. For very temperature-sensitive babies, a portable radiant heater can add extra coziness.

4. Calm

At night, less is more. While daytime diaper changes can be accompanied by games and play, at night, calm is most important. Accompany your actions with a soft, quiet voice and avoid hasty movements. Plenty of physical contact also gives your baby a sense of security and comfort.

With Judes, we want to make everyday life easier for you and your family. Our cloth diapers are not only easy to use, but also truly sustainable, promote healthy baby skin, and help your child become diaper-free almost a year earlier. They offer better leak protection, save you time and money in the long run, and are absolutely hygienic. See for yourself how simple and relaxed cloth diapering can be.

Do you have any other tips to make nighttime diaper changes more enjoyable? Feel free to share them in the comments.