Overnight diaper or just size up?

Overnight diapers add absorbency in the same size. Some makers also suggest sizing up for a heavy wetter. Either way, fit matters: snug enough not to leak, but not tight. The AAP warns against tight diapers, especially overnight, because they rub the skin.

Fewer leaks, fewer rashes

  • Change right before bed, and check the fit at the waist and legs.
  • Pull the leg cuffs out, not tucked in. Honest gives this advice to reduce leaks.
  • Use a barrier cream with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly. The AAP suggests a thick layer, preferably fragrance-free.
  • Change wet or dirty diapers as soon as you can, and let the skin dry.
  • Call your pediatrician if a rash doesn’t improve after two to three days, has blisters, pus or oozing sores, or comes with a fever.

Frequently asked questions

When does my baby need overnight diapers?

There’s no medical cutoff. Overnight diapers usually help once your baby sleeps longer stretches. All the diapers here start at size 3 (16 lb). Newborns get changed often anyway: the AAP says a breastfed baby who’s getting enough milk has 6 or more wet diapers a day by 5 to 7 days old.

Are fragrance-free diapers better for sensitive skin?

The medical advice focuses on keeping the skin clean and dry and avoiding fragrance in wipes and creams. If your baby’s skin reacts, a diaper whose maker publishes a made-without-fragrance statement, like Honest’s, is an easy thing to try. Talk to your pediatrician about a rash that won’t clear up.