Weaning Off Diapers at Night: Eight Valuable Tips

Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash

 

Hardly any other subject accompanies parents as much as helping their children become dry at night. Usually, children are dry during the day long before they can give up their night diapers. Until around the age of three, a child's body produces the same amount of urine at night as during the day. Nighttime is a long period to hold it in. Additionally, many children are still thirsty at night.The point at which a child can hold it in at night and the support that they may will be different for every child.

When do children become dry at night? Generally, children begin to show the first signs that they want to stop using the night diaper around their third birthday. However, since every child develops at their own pace, it's impossible to generalize here. You can relax and give your child time until their fifth birthday.

In this article, you'll learn how you can support your child in becoming dry and how to make this phase as stress-free as possible. We explain when a child should be able to sleep without a diaper at night, and which factors are crucial for becoming dry.

 

When is the right time to do away with the diaper at night?

First of all, it's important to know that it is normal for your child to not be dry at night yet, even if they've been out of diapers during the day for some time. Every child has their own pace. So don’t be unsettled by comparisons with other children, but give your child the time they need. While some children are already dry by day and night at age three, others may still wet the bed at six or more years. While this might sound alarming at first, it's usually not a problem. It is only important that your child does not suffer from it or is teased and that you as parents remain calm .

In general, children begin to show first signs around their third birthday that they do not need a diaper at night anymore. If the diaper is usually dry in the morning, this can be a sign that you can start leaving off the diaper. Ideally, the impulse comes from your child and they say that they want to leave off the diaper at night. That way, you are not going over your child’s wishes, give them the opportunity for self-determination , and usually catch just the right moment.

In general, children show the first signs around their third birthday that they no longer need a diaper at night. If the diaper is regularly dry in the morning, this can be a sign that you can start leaving off the diaper. Ideally, the impulse comes from your child and they express that they want to leave off the diaper at night. This way, you don’t override your child, you give them the opportunity for self-determination , and you will usually find just the right time.

When should I seek help?

Only starting at the age of five years should you discuss the subject with your pediatrician to rule out physical causes. However, you should neither worry nor feel guilty about it. Experts suggest that approximately 640,000 children (source: Spiegel) between the ages of 5 and 10 still wet the bed.

It’s possible that your child's bladder control system hasn’t fully matured yet or that your child has inherited a tendency to wet the bed. Speak to your pediatrician if needed. Let your child know you’re supportive and will give them all the time they need.

 

Wetness feedback – the most important signal for becoming dry

A basic prerequisite for getting dry at night is that your child notices when they need to go and what it feels like to be wet. Only then can they learn over time to hold it in and signal when they have to go. Disposable diapers make this process harder, as the important wetness feedback is missing. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are ideal for becoming dry because your child immediately feels what it’s like to become wet. This helps them connect the feeling with the event.

We at Judes have developed cloth diapers that are as easy to use as disposables. They consist of an absorbent inner diaper and a breathable, waterproof cover. Our inner diaper made of organic cotton is gentle on your child’s skin, stays dry for up to 12 hours and gives your child optimal wetness feedback.

 

Photo by @isabelplett

Becoming dry at night: Eight tips to support your child

Getting dry at night is a big milestone in your child's life. We'll show you how you can optimally support your child on this journey. 

1. Go to bed with an empty bladder

Remind your child to go to the toilet before going to bed. Ideally this should become a regular part of their evening routine. This will ensure that they go to bed with as empty a bladder as possible. This will also ensure a restful sleep.

2. Drink regularly

Children tend to get the fluids their body needs in the evening. This can, of course, make it much more difficult to become potty trained at night. So, make sure to offer your child drinks several times throughout the day so that they consume less fluid in the evening. However, you should never force your child to drink or limit their intake.

3. Avoid salty foods

Especially in the evening, you should avoid highly salted foods. This makes them thirsty in the evening and at night, which in turn makes it difficult for your child to stay hydrated.

4. Please don't wake them!

Many parents feel the urge to wake their child at night and take them to the toilet. While this keeps the bed dry, it hinders the natural potty training process. When the child is woken up, they don't learn to wake up with the urge to urinate, and their entire routine is disrupted.

 

 

5. Make it easy for yourself

Some children - including my three-year-old son - find it difficult to get up at night and go to the toilet, even when they notice their urge to urinate in time. The bed is too comfortable, and the walk is too long and dark. To make it easier for your child, you can, for example, place a potty right next to the bed. Night lights with motion sensors can also be helpful. Of course, you can also carry your child to the toilet at night if they give clear signs that they need to go.

6. Pay attention to sizes

Diapers that are too small or tight pyjamas can put pressure on the bladder. This prevents your child from learning when they really need to go, as the pressure causes them to release immediately as soon as there is something in their bladder. So make sure they wear loose clothing and choose the right diaper size.

With Judes, we've developed a simple solution: Our diapers are available in two sizes. They can be continuously adjusted using the Velcro fastener and adapt perfectly to your child's body shape.

7. Try going diaper-free

Sometimes just eliminating the bulky diaper bag can help your child learn bladder control better. However, this should either be initiated by your child or discussed with them. Never deny your child a diaper just because you think it's time.

8. Stay relaxed

The best tip for weaning off diapers at night is to stay relaxed. It's important not to put pressure on them and give your child the time they need. Don't scold them if they wet themselves at night, and don't ask them to do better the next night. If the bed stayed dry or your child even went to the toilet on their own, it's best to avoid excessive praise. Even if it's well-intentioned, this could be perceived as pressure.

Instead, you can describe to your child what they accomplished. You can also acknowledge how your child did it (focusing less on the result and more on the process). This way, your child will keep the fun in the process and won't feel judged if things don't go so well at times. It turns out that children learn faster and enjoy it more this way. Also, tell your child that you understand that it's difficult when things don't go so well. Always remember that every child has their own pace, including when it comes to potty training.

Photo by @madame.vio

Practical Tips for Relaxed Nights

Becoming dry at night is often a long process and doesn't just take a few days. the following tips can be particularly helpful during the transition phase:

Cover your child's bed with a waterproof sheet or use a waterproof bed pad. This way, your child can sleep without a diaper without damaging the mattress.

Have a change of clothes ready so you can change your child quickly and easily at night.

Make the bed with two sheets. The most valuable tip for me: waterproof bed pad, bed sheet, waterproof bed pad, bed sheet. If your child wets the bed at night, remove the affected sheet and bed pad, and your child can quickly go back to sleep without you having to remake the bed.

It can also be helpful to adopt aspects of the 'elimination communication' technique. The earlier you introduce these, the more successful you will be. Here, you'll primarily respond to nighttime restlessness and brief waking periods by holding your child over the toilet or potty. This happens while they're half asleep, which is why most children immediately go back to sleep.

How did you get on with becoming dry at night? Feel free to leave a comment!