Night time nappies for your baby
The general rule of thumb for night time nappies is that the nappy should have one layer of absorbency for every hour you want it to stay on. Twelve hours = twelve layers. While that’s a good starting point, many babies need a few added bonuses when it comes to night nappies. If you are blessed with a miracle child who sleeps for extended periods from early on, be sure to add some extra absorbency to your nappies so they last the distance.
We typically recommend a two-part system for overnight, consisting of a high absorbency fitted nappy, boosters and a separate waterproof nappy cover.
How to pick the best night time nappy for your baby
Night nappy combinations and boosting
Getting the right combination can sometimes be a case of trial and error, but it is a good idea to "over boost" at first. If the nappy is not saturated by morning, you can test out removing a booster. Folding and positioning boosters as below can also help. Boosters can be placed either inside the nappy, or between the nappy and the cover. Fitted nappies are also a great option for nights from early on.
As you need more absorbency, it’s important to make sure your nappy is fitting properly around the legs.
When you start adding extra absorbency there can be a tendency to add so much bulk to the nappy that it starts to come away from the crotch or the tummy. Be sure to check your nappy is fitting well by bending and lifting your baby’s legs a bit to see there are no gaps.
Often little ones sleep with their legs curled up which can create a gap between the leg and the nappy that isn’t there when their legs are straight. Be sure to check no fabric or liners are poking out from the waterproof cover as this can cause moisture from the nappy onto your babies clothes, particularly if they are in the same nappy for an extended period of time.
Many babies find spending the whole night in a wet nappy irritates their skin and some babies really dislike the feeling of being wet. Selecting a nappy that has a stay dry lining or using fleece liners can help keep your baby feel nice and dry overnight. If you are using any kind of barrier cream make sure you pop a biodegradable or washable liner into your nappy to protect the absorbent fibres.
If you’ve been using night time cloth nappies but still finding obstacles, pay attention to how your baby is sleeping.
Tummy sleepers, especially boys, will wet up super super high but many people are boosting their night nappies down between their legs. There often isn’t enough absorbency where it’s needed and then pressure pushes all the moisture in the nappy up towards their tummy.
As with everything, it’s so worthwhile to keep telling yourself that nothing will stay the same forever and be prepared to roll with whatever is happening at the time.
We hope we have helped you understand how to choose the best night nappy for your baby. Shop our wide range of nappies here!