This is part 2 of the ‘Cloth at night’ series.
To read earlier parts please follow these links:
Cloth at night: an introduction
Part 1: Considering cloth nappies at night-time?
‘Use what you have’ – a mantra often used in days of old where thrift was king and making do was the norm.
Same idea applies here: have day nappies? Use them at night too! But how? and which ones would work best? Read on…
The principle is simple: simply add on extra absorbency into your day nappy.
Either
- lay in a booster in an all-in-one or fitted nappy,
- stuff an extra insert in a pocket nappy, or
- boost in between an absorbent fitted nappy and a cover.
Ta-daa! Instant night nappy 
Look at extra inserts at Bean Sprout Bubba
A few points to look out for:
1. After boosting the nappy, ensure that the nappy doesn’t gape around the thighs or the waist, to prevent leaks from happening.
2. Absorbent fitted day nappies boosted for night time, coupled with a wool or fleece cover are the best option for average night wetters. Usually at least 4-6 extra layers would be sufficient to boost a day nappy if wool or fleece covers are used.
3. If using a nappy with a PUL outer (e.g. a pocket nappy, all-in-one or all-in-two), ensure that the outer of the nappy is 100% polyester for best results. Fabrics that meet this criteria are plain or print polyester PUL, minkee/minky and selected satin material. Avoid cotton outers with PUL as they tend to have moisture wick to the cotton outer after long periods of wetness, and thus not be suitable for extended use at night time or long naps.
4. Ensure that cotton PJs are not tucked into the nappy, or use fleece PJs for best results. i find that even flannel PJs can tend to wick moisture from a night nappy so I avoid those and use fleece or wool pants over the night nappy. A wool cover under flannel PJ pants works well too.
5. Pocket nappies should be roomy enough to add on extra inserts for night time use while maintaining a good fit around the waist and thighs. For example, Bubba J medium and large pocket nappies are roomy enough to add 2 x bamboo trifolds and a 3-4 layer booster for a thirsty 15-16 layers of absorbancy. The large size pocket nappy can hold up to 3 trifold inserts for a big 18 layers of absorbancy!
In conclusion
These are just a few starting points to consider when using day nappies as night nappies.
Be prepared for 1-2 wet nights until the night nappy arrangement is sorted out. You may find a waterproof protector, some terry flats, fleece or wool blanket placed under bub during the ‘experimental stage’ helpful in reducing the discomfort from those accidents. Once night nappying is sorted, give yourself a pat on the back, great job in reducing waste!
However your baby may still outwet boosted day nappies. Congratulations, you have a heavywetter, or super heavywetter! Either follow the tips to reduce wee output at night as mentioned in Part 1 of Cloth at Night, or read Part 3 where I dissect the world of dedicated night nappies (coming soon this week).
Click here to shop for nappies to use at night time at Bean Sprout Bubba.
If you have a day-nappy -as-night-nappy tip to share please leave a comment.
All comments up to 31 July 2010 will go into a draw to win either an ecoBumba pocket nappy or $30 store credit. So comment away!
My boy is a super-heavy-wetter who sleeps on his tummy and side, and nurses several times each night. His sensitive skin also means PUL diapers or covers are not an option for long hours.
Our ultimate night-time solution: pocket fitted hemp diaper (best of both pocket & fitted styles!), microfibre-cum-hemp insert, and fleece shorts. He stays dry over 12 hours or more!
i love the idea of using what you already have. We use pockets at night, stuffed with bamboo, microfibre, hemp or whatever boosters are lying around. If all the pocket nappies are in the wash, I’ve been known to lie a booster or two over a fitted nappy (on the outside) held in place with a large PUL cover. It’s bulky, but fine for nighttime.
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@Lara: Thanks for reminding me of this tip, of boosting between the nappy and the cover. Sure beats leg gaping. I used to put a Baby Beehinds bamboo fitted on my daughter and boost outside the nappy with a bamboo trifold at the crotch, then topp everything with a wool cover. A bit fiddly but it works! With modern cloth it is so easy to improvise the absorbancy of a nappy!
I’m just starting out with cloth nappies. I use a pocket nappy with a tri fold bamboo insert, a flannel booster, a micofiber insert. He’s 4mths, feeds through the nightNappy is certainly wet in the morning, but skin is dry. He has the nappy on for 9/10hrs. We also use anything we can for boosters. I’ve made some out of unused baby baby blankets. We bought cheap chinese pockets & pea pod inserts – works fantastically!!
@Trina: sounds like you’ve found a great night nappy system for your son
well done!
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