26 answers

Son Soaking Through Diaper, Pj's, Sheets at Night

My son is 2 years, 8 months and not yet potty trained (trying but to not avail at this point). He is in a big boy bed and OFTEN wakes up at night soaked through EVERYTHING. We have switched to nighttime diapers as one solution, and for a while they seemed to work, but lately he's soaking through those as well. I know one of the reasons is that he sleeps on his side, which doesn't have a lot of reinforcement in the diaper. But the diaper is also soaked/full which is causing it to overflow. So tired of the wake-ups, changing sheets, and everything else involved. Any suggestions? Oh, we've also tried cutting off the drinking an hour before bedtime on most nights (there are always exceptions), and we don't put the diaper on until RIGHT before bed. Thanks.

What can I do next?

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When my kids were potty training I would make up the bed with several layers. On top of the waterproof pad and fitted sheet I would put one of those 1 yard square incontinence pads (CVS has the throw away kind as well as a re-usable washable kind) and then put another fitted sheet over that. I actually made 3 layers for one daughter. That way when the bed is wet you simply strip off a layer at night and don't have to re-make the whole bed. My friend's 8 year old needs to be woken up at 11 PM before mom goes to bed to have her pee one more time or else she wakes up in a cold wet bed (she is such a deep sleeper she does not even wake up). Perhaps change his diaper right before you go to bed? Additionally, perhaps you could pad the diaper with smaller incontinence pads on the side (they come in all kinds of sizes - I have even used them to heat a moist one in the microwave to drape around my sore shoulders). Good luck, interrupted sleep is one of the worst things about motherhood since it affects everything else you do.

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter had the same problems. I find Huggies Supreme to be more absorbant than the "night time" ones. You can buy inserts that actually look like Maxi pads to put in the diapers AND I bought soft, super absorbant/washable "pull up" pants from OneSteapAhead.com (or LeapsAndBounds.com) to put over all that!! It's bulky but she wakes up dry now!!

Hello,
I stop drinks at dinner time after dinner nothing else and have them go potty before bed. Also a friend of mine puts her son down around 7:30/ 8 and when either her husband or herself go to bed (whoever is up later) that person goes in and wakes him up and brings him to the potty (he always pees) and he goes right back to sleep and never remembers getting up. I have a daughter that sleeps in a pull up and it's dry for months as soon as I put her in under pants she pees. I think its a sensatin thing that she will have to grow out of it.
Good luck

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Hi there - My son is 2 years 6 months and the same thing was happening to him. So what we do is put a his size 5 regular daytime diaper on him ( he is not potty trained) and then a 6 Huggies overnight over that diaper. My son is very particular about many things so I figured he would never let us put 2 diapers on him, but he DID! I truely think he was sick and tired of waking up wet too! It has worked since and he has stayed dry!! Try it! Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

I would suggest nothing to drink after dinner time. You'd be surprised how even a little water right before bed can come back to haunt you.

(I have a friend who doesn't allow drinks after 4:30 - that's a little extreme, but she swears by it!).

1 mom found this helpful

You need to cut out drinks a few hours before bed an hour just won't cut it. I like the huggies overnight diapers if they aren't working for you then you probably need to go up a size. If he's in a larger size you will have better luck at diapers.com you can also buy a ater proof pad to use over the sheet that way if he does wake up soaked you only have to remove a pad and change his clothing. You won't have to change the entire bed during the middle of the night.

1 mom found this helpful

I can empathize! Our son is the same way. The best solution I have found is something called "Diaper Doublers" (you can find them at your local Babies R Us). We use 2 of them in his nighttime diaper (we use Huggies Overnights). Most of the time it works well. Another thing is to put one of those lap pad things on his bed. Our son has only one functioning kidney and has to take meds to help him empty his bladder so even though we take the above steps, we still have to change sheets on a nearly daily basis. Anyway, hope this helps. Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful

When my kids were potty training I would make up the bed with several layers. On top of the waterproof pad and fitted sheet I would put one of those 1 yard square incontinence pads (CVS has the throw away kind as well as a re-usable washable kind) and then put another fitted sheet over that. I actually made 3 layers for one daughter. That way when the bed is wet you simply strip off a layer at night and don't have to re-make the whole bed. My friend's 8 year old needs to be woken up at 11 PM before mom goes to bed to have her pee one more time or else she wakes up in a cold wet bed (she is such a deep sleeper she does not even wake up). Perhaps change his diaper right before you go to bed? Additionally, perhaps you could pad the diaper with smaller incontinence pads on the side (they come in all kinds of sizes - I have even used them to heat a moist one in the microwave to drape around my sore shoulders). Good luck, interrupted sleep is one of the worst things about motherhood since it affects everything else you do.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi G.,

You said MOST nights you cut off drinking liquids. A few hours before bed time he should only have sips of a drink, and only if he is thirsty. And make sure he goes potty before bedtime. No need to have lots to drink before bed. Some children hold it until bed and tell moms they don't have to go. I used to put mine on the potty and run the sink water, he went every time! good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Have you tried an overnight pullup? I had a similar situation wtih my son, and when I switched to the overnight pullup, he didn't leak anymore. Good luck!

Have you tried Luv's diapers? I like those the best for leaks and I also have a 2 yr old boy. Also try plastic pants like people use for cloth diapers. They also have things called Diapers Doublers they are like pads but without the sticky part. Found in the diaper aisle. I used them when my son had a terrible stomach bug and the diarrhea leaked out of the diapers they really helped a lot. Just put one in right before bed with a clean diaper. Also I suggest no fluids 3 hrs before bed, that has also helped us. Good luck!!!

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