17 Month Old Waking Soaked at 4:30Am!!

Updated on October 08, 2009
S.P. asks from Cleveland, OH
29 answers

So my 17month(almost 18months) old has never been a great sleeper, finally sleeping through the night and all of the sudden she is waking up between 4:30 - 5am totally soaked in urine...diaper, jammies, sheet and all. of course once she is changed she's awake and ready to nurse and then of course play what do i do? Her diapers are for 22-27lbs she is 26lbs. I feel bad taking water away when she is thirsty at dinner, but what else can i do? She gets a bottle(6-8oz) before bed around 7:30. Any suggestions would be great, thanks

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L.H.

answers from Columbus on

Hi S.! The same thing happened with my son. He is a major water drinker, and I think its good for him, so I didn't want to diminish his water intake. We started using the Huggies Overnights and have not had a problem since. Also, I have always gone up a size in diapers if he is close on the weight, that seems to work too. Hope that helps-4:30 am is no fun!!

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M.R.

answers from Cleveland on

Hey S... when my kids got older around then they wouldn't fit in the diapers as good.. so i would put a pull-up on them for overnight & i would just put a pair of boys underwear over them to hold them in place if they were kinda loose around the legs. I did this for my son & my daughter, which worked out better b/c they just pee'd out of everything. Good Luck

M.

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R.B.

answers from Columbus on

When ever my sons started soaking thru at night on a regular basis I knew it was time to switch up to the next size diaper...and it sound like since she is at the top end of that diaper size, she is ready to move up the the next one. Good luck.

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L.R.

answers from Canton on

It sounds like you have most of the advise but many people advised cutting down on liquids. I, personally think this is a bad idea. I don't think we drink enough water in general or listen to our bodies when they are thirsty. I would stop a bottle. My pediatrician recommended stopping at 12- 15 months. It is quite easy for a toddler to down more liquid then she needs in a bottle. I think she would drink less out of a sip a cup but even if she drinks the same amount a bigger diaper should solve the problem. I would only give her water before bed so it is not as harmful to teeth.

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Everyone is right - go up a size! At least at night, if you don't want to switch over entirely. My son weighs 19 pounds and wears size 22-28 pound diapers, because he was peeing out of the diapers designed for 16-24 pounds. Something else you can try (in addition to going up a size) is using a cloth-diaper cover over the diaper. I cloth diaper during the day and use disposables at night, but once, when I ran out of the larger size disposable, I was able to use the smaller size with a cloth diaper cover to help prevent leaks. Good luck!

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K.V.

answers from Columbus on

Switch to a larger sized diaper. When you changer her keep the lights dim if you can. Don't interact or talk with her if you can just changer her and try to put her back to sleep. The more you interact wiht her the more you stimulate her and she won't go to sleep. But for me if the boys were soaking through the diaper in the middle of the night it was time to switch sizes. Also are you using regular diapers at night or a specifically made night diaper. Overnight diapers tend to be more absorbant.

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M.B.

answers from Dayton on

Huggies Overnights!!! They are different than regular Huggies and can hold back the Hoover Dam. Also, if that isn't enough, maybe you could try putting a cloth diaper cover over the disposable help keep her dry.

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B.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I suggest (like the others) going up a size in diaper (at least at bedtime).

But the BIGGER issue is the 6-8 oz. at bedtime. We cut it off about 30-45 minutes before bedtime (if at ALL possible).

And you're probably doing this already - but make sure she's got clean pants on at bedtime. If she wakes up in the middle of the night, change the pants then too.

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K.W.

answers from Youngstown on

I had this problem with my son recently. I moved him up a diaper size at night. Also, I had to eventually get Huggies overnights. They do work great. Good Luck.

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D.H.

answers from Canton on

Get a larger diaper size. The weight is a guideline. If your daughter's diaper leaks you need a different size. In her case, the next size up. If the larger size doesn't fix the problem try a different brand.

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C.

answers from Cleveland on

I agree, go up a size. But I don't agree about the generic diapers. I bought the Sam's Club brand for two kids and they worked just fine.

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M.K.

answers from Bloomington on

I know how tough it can be to say no to extra liquids before bedtime, but sometimes it may be necessary. Also, it could be the diapers you are using? Are you trying specific night-time diapers? Pampers for nights are great! They can be pricey, but worth it to keep from having to change sheets, etc. Hope this helps, and good luck!

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K.J.

answers from Columbus on

While moving up a size may be the best option I wanted to let you know that I've also seen extra moisture absorption layers you can buy in the store to place inside the diaper as well. I just saw them at Toys r us today in fact. It may be just another option if you find the next size up diaper is still leaking or to help get you through whatever size diaper you are currently using so they don't go to waste.

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A.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Try using a cloth diaper, or at least a cloth "doubler" at night. You can also use wool diaper covers that can absorb a LOT, and they're really soft and breathable (not itchy like you're probably thinking!).

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S.E.

answers from Cleveland on

She is 26lb and her diapers only go up to 27? Go up a size. I am wondering if you meant 22-37lb, in which case you are using the right size.

Get Huggies overnights or Pampers Extra Protection. I know Target has them as well as babies r us. Many other places probably do as well.

If that still isn't enough, Babies R Us and online have diaper doublers which are inserts to up the absorption of regular diapers.

Gerber has rubber pants that you put over a diaper.

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J.F.

answers from Columbus on

My son went through this for a few months. I tried offering more water at the beginning of the day. I also double diapered him at bedtime. I'd put on a diaper of normal size and then layer that with a larger sized diaper. That worked for me. If that doesn't work for you, you might want to consider limiting her fluid intake before bed.

Good luck.

J.C.

answers from Columbus on

S.,

We had this problem as well. We've gone to the Huggies Overnights and they are working beautifully for us. We used to buy those 'Diaper Doublers' from Babies R' Us, but they don't really make them any more. Ding dangit, cause they worked great too.

My only other suggestion may sound kind of creepy, but hey, whatever gets you through the night; maxi pads. Buy the basic kind, try to find one without the plastic backing, or peel it off or the tinkle will just roll up to her belly and you've got the same problem you started with. I know it sounds weird, but a lot of moms have had to resort to it. That extra bit of absorption is just what my little guy needed whe he was your daughter's age. They DO grow out of it, by the way.

Now MY question is; do I ever ever ever in a million years tell my son he wore maxi pads? Hmmmmmmmmm .....

Good luck to you,
J.

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S.F.

answers from Dayton on

I would go up a size or two in diapers. It worked for my boys. They were in size 3s when we put them in 4s sometimes 5s at bedtime! We used Pampers Baby Dry with them. We are now doing the same with my 13 month old daughter who started wetting through every night. Also, the bedtime bottle is probably the culprit. At her age she should be eating enough during the day to get her through the night. Good Luck!

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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Try moving up a size in diapers, and get the night-time diapers. I don't think you should limit fluids for a child so young.

Congrats for still nursing! I am still nursing my 14 month old, and some people look at me like I am crazy to be nursing so long. But it is the best thing for them. Kudos to you and good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

I didn't read all the responses but you didn't mention what kind of diapers you are using. I think someone else has mentioned Huggies Overnights and let me tell you they work! Boy do they hold alot of liquid!! Might be something to consider. Good Luck.
S.

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A.M.

answers from Dayton on

Hello! I would also suggest putting her in night diapers and removing the bottle at bedtime. I replaced my childrens' bottles at bedtime with a 4 oz cup of Yoplait Kids yogurt. When I did this, their diapers were not nearly as peed in the morning, either. I think this would help you out tons. Good luck!

A. Mendenhall
www.homewithmykids.info
www.livetotalwellness.com/apriljm

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L.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I'd get bigger diapers. Thhat was how I always knew it was time to switch: when ds started waking up wet. FWIW, he was always in diapers that were higher than his actual weight, a he always seemed to grow out of them before he even got to the weight range on the box (kind of like clothes with the month sizes).

L.

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S.C.

answers from Columbus on

I would suggest moving up a size in diapers. She is so borderline on the weight guidelines... which are just that guidelines. The larger size shouldn't be overly bulky or large on her. Also make changing her diaper one of the last things you do before putting her in bed for the night. One other thing that I've noticed is that using "off brand" diapers can make a difference at night. My children always leaked when using a store brand as opposed to pampers or huggies. Hope that you find a good solution and get back to sleeping!

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A.L.

answers from Indianapolis on

Okay, so we all live and learn, and every child is different, but what stands out at me as solutions are listed below...please no offense...

Just my opinion here- but at her age, the bottle should be gone. It doesn't make any sense to take away water at dinnertime, then give her a bottle at bedtime.... I would let her have a sippy with dinner, nurse her as you do, whenever you do, however...but I think it is time to phase out the bottle.

Sounds like you are done with the nursing before bedtime...so maybe just let her have a sippy at bedtime with water- and let her know it only has a couple of ounces in it in case she is thirsty during the night time.

YOu will need to ease into this change of course....so maybe if you were giving her the bottle before...sounds like it is probably breast milk since you are nursing...but maybe it is formula or cows milk?? I would think it is time to cut out formula too if that is the case. (bessides, children at this age with a bottle before bed really destroy their teeth....I haven't met a mother yet who takes thier baby to brush their teeth after a formula bottle sat on their teeth before they fell asleep...somthing to consider.

I am all for nursing- don't get me wrong...I nursed mine until she was two. But I think there lays your problem.

Also- time to move her up a diaper size. You may want to get her nighttime diapers. They are far more absorbant and you will all rest better with that purchase.

Good luck and God Bless!

K.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I have had a great journey with the waking up soaked thing with my son. I finally found a diaper that holds his urine at night. Try using extra protection pampers or Nightime Huggies. They work wonders!! Also since your daughter is 26 lbs up the size of the diapers. The limit is 27 lbs but that includes the weight of the urine. The next size up will be somewhere around 24 lbs to 32 lbs. hope this helps.

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J.G.

answers from Cleveland on

Time to put her in a bigger diaper - even if you just do it at bedtime. That should help... when my 3 started getting soaked at night I always upgraded their diapers and all was fine after that.

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L.L.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would definitely go up a size. Not sure what brand you are using but I would try Pampers Baby Dry if you haven't already. They worked great for my kids. Good Luck!

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H.F.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would try three things. One, cut back on the water before bed. I had to do that for my son and it was recommended by the dr for potty training latter on. Two, jump up a size in the diaper. Third, I have seen overnight diapers, never tried them, but I understand they are more absourbant than regular diapers. Good luck.

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D.T.

answers from Muncie on

You don't have to remove her drink from dinner but you can reduce the size of her before bed drink to a few sips or a count of ten (my little one loves counting), a few sips should be enough to quench an honest thirst without filling her bladder. As a personal note, I never bought diapers according to my daughter's weight, I always knew when it was time to go to the next size when she would overflow like you described you little one doing. My little one was never the right weight for the diapers she was wearing because she apparently inherited my family's large road-trip friendly bladder.

Good luck.

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