Your little explorer is growing, and you may already be a seasoned diaper-changing hero. Unfortunately, that’s no guarantee of a dry night. A leaking diaper is fairly common and, sadly, not always preventable. But there are a few things you can pay attention to so the diaper fits perfectly. You can read here how to prevent a leaking diaper—even at night.

Incorrect diaper size causes diaper leaks

From baby to toddler, a diaper often leaks because it’s too small or too large—meaning you’re using the wrong diaper size. A diaper that’s too small doesn’t fully enclose your little one’s bottom, and the seal sits too low around your child’s waist. As a result, the diaper may leak. Especially with newborns, parents often wait too long to move up to a larger diaper size. A good rule of thumb is: once your little one weighs 4 kilograms, the best diaper to prevent leaks is no longer size 1, but size 2. The packaging clearly states the intended weight range, so you can always buy diapers that are less likely to leak. The correct size also helps prevent leaks when your child prefers to sleep on their back.

Diaper leaking? Check if it fits properly

Besides size, the position of the diaper is also important for preventing leaks—especially if your little explorer moves a lot at night or sleeps on their side. If the diaper is too loose around the waist, it will leak—that’s logical. But diapers that are too tight can also leak, because the seal won’t work properly. Want to check whether the diaper fits well? Slide your hand under the diaper on the tummy side. If you can do that with two fingers, there’s less chance of a leak during the night. Also check that the seal around the legs isn’t too tight and can’t twist. If everything sits correctly, the diaper fits perfectly and is less likely to leak, even when your child sleeps on their side.

Expand antilekrandjes

Each LILLYDOO diaper has seals on the tabs to help prevent leaks. These anti-leak edges need to be unfolded so they sit like a ruffle around the legs. If the diaper isn’t fitted properly or the seal is crooked, it may leak. So make it a good habit to check after changing that the diaper fits properly.

Piemeltje down

Boy mama or boy papa? Make sure your baby's little thing is always facing down, towards the absorbent diaper core.

Prevent diaper leaks: change on time

The diaper may be the right size and fit well, but if you wait too long to change it, it will eventually leak. Try to get a feel for when your little one needs a fresh diaper. Setting the clock exactly isn’t possible, but after a while, you’ll get better at estimating when it’s time for a clean one. Tip: To help prevent leaks at night, change your baby before bedtime.

So how can you best prevent leaking diapers? Make sure the diaper fits well and that you’re using the right size. If you notice the diaper no longer fits properly and your little explorer is ready for a bigger adventure, you can easily adjust your monthly diaper box to a larger size. If you have any diapers left that are too small, you can simply return them.

And remember: accidents happen, and a little dampness isn’t a big deal. You’re not the only parent dealing with leaking diapers. ;) And if your little one stayed dry through the night, you can be proud of your little explorer.