Posted by: Amy Fong
I recently saw a TV ad for disposable diapers, featuring a soundly sleeping baby in a crib. The message was clear - if you choose our brand of disposable diapers, you too will have an angelic baby who lets you get a full night of rest! Wait a minute, I thought. Are these companies trying to sell you an unrealistic fantasy in the hopes that you'll buy their product? This ad got me thinking about cloth diapering at night. Many assume that it is a challenge, and therefore reach for a disposable as their night time solution. However, cloth diapering at night is totally do-able - sometimes you just need to tweak a few things over your daytime cloth options. Here are some tips on how to make it work.
1. Keep it simple
It doesn't need to be a super fancy complicated solution. Sometimes all it takes is just adding a booster (an extra insert) to absorb that extra amount of liquid at night. Or switching to a fitted diaper (see below).
2. Switch up the material
If those microfiber inserts that you use during daytime aren't holding up overnight, consider acquiring a couple heavy duty natural fibre inserts - such as cotton, bamboo or hemp inserts. Stuff them into your pocket diapers, or, for even faster absorption, lay them directly on top of your pocket diaper lining or cover so that the insert is right against the baby's skin to catch that deluge when it's needed.
3. Consider using a fitted diaper
Fitted diapers are typically made of all natural materials, and hold a lot of liquid! We found that a fitted diaper with a PUL cover was our tried-and-true night time solution for our second kid, who was a much heavier wetter than the first. You can bulk up a fitted diaper with a booster (an extra insert) if you need even more absorption. If your baby is sensitive to wetness, simply lay a stay dry microfleece liner inside the fitted diaper to keep your baby feeling more comfortable.
4. Consider your outer waterproof layer
Waterproof PUL covers over a fitted diaper or prefold are generally fine to use at night. However, wool covers are also an option.
Once you figure out your cloth night time diapering solution, your baby can sleep just as soundly as any baby in a disposable diaper commercial! (No guarantees, however.)
I recently saw a TV ad for disposable diapers, featuring a soundly sleeping baby in a crib. The message was clear - if you choose our brand of disposable diapers, you too will have an angelic baby who lets you get a full night of rest! Wait a minute, I thought. Are these companies trying to sell you an unrealistic fantasy in the hopes that you'll buy their product? This ad got me thinking about cloth diapering at night. Many assume that it is a challenge, and therefore reach for a disposable as their night time solution. However, cloth diapering at night is totally do-able - sometimes you just need to tweak a few things over your daytime cloth options. Here are some tips on how to make it work.
1. Keep it simple
It doesn't need to be a super fancy complicated solution. Sometimes all it takes is just adding a booster (an extra insert) to absorb that extra amount of liquid at night. Or switching to a fitted diaper (see below).
2. Switch up the material
If those microfiber inserts that you use during daytime aren't holding up overnight, consider acquiring a couple heavy duty natural fibre inserts - such as cotton, bamboo or hemp inserts. Stuff them into your pocket diapers, or, for even faster absorption, lay them directly on top of your pocket diaper lining or cover so that the insert is right against the baby's skin to catch that deluge when it's needed.
3. Consider using a fitted diaper
Fitted diapers are typically made of all natural materials, and hold a lot of liquid! We found that a fitted diaper with a PUL cover was our tried-and-true night time solution for our second kid, who was a much heavier wetter than the first. You can bulk up a fitted diaper with a booster (an extra insert) if you need even more absorption. If your baby is sensitive to wetness, simply lay a stay dry microfleece liner inside the fitted diaper to keep your baby feeling more comfortable.
4. Consider your outer waterproof layer
Waterproof PUL covers over a fitted diaper or prefold are generally fine to use at night. However, wool covers are also an option.
Once you figure out your cloth night time diapering solution, your baby can sleep just as soundly as any baby in a disposable diaper commercial! (No guarantees, however.)