Should You Wake Your Baby To Change A Diaper?

Many parents are very unsure of whether they should wake their baby to change a diaper.

A baby’s skin is very sensitive, so changing diapers frequently is very important to prevent rashes and eczema.

Whether or not you should wake your baby to change a diaper depends on a number of factors. A mother whose child has difficulty falling asleep will be careful not to wake her child. Nobody wants a baby who is upset because it has been roused from sleep.

Mothers whose children are prone to develop rashes are more likely to wake them to change diapers.

Should you wake your baby to change a diaper?

As already mentioned, every child is different. What works for one may not work for another. This means that you shouldn’t rely on the methods that have worked for your other children.

Parents have to decide for themselves what their child needs. But now we will take a closer look at the factors that are decisive for whether you should wake your child to change diapers.

Which is more important, sleep or hygiene?

Undoubtedly, a full diaper is detrimental to a newborn’s delicate skin if it is not changed for a long period of time. On the other hand, it is also important for development not to disturb your sleep.

You can change diapers at any time while your baby is awake. When the baby is asleep, however, the question arises as to whether it would be better to wait a bit.

Prioritizing whether your child’s hygiene or sleep is more important is key to making the right decision.

A baby fed milk substitute wakes up about every 3 hours and craves food.  This is the perfect time to change your diaper too.

If you breastfeed your baby, they will likely be fed more often and the diaper will need to be changed more often. Use the time your child is awake.

My baby sleeps 6 hours or more in a row! What should I do?

The decision is even more difficult for parents whose child sleeps particularly late. Whether or not to wake the baby to change a diaper becomes a major concern. Many mothers turn to their pediatrician for help in this situation.

Diapers are becoming more and more absorbent. There are even night diapers that are specially made to enable your baby to sleep through the night. You shouldn’t wake a baby who sleeps 6 to 7 hours straight just to change the diaper.

A good diaper is still almost dry the next morning. Change diapers just before bedtime and apply  a cream that will prevent rashes. You can ask your pediatrician which cream is best for your baby.

If your child wakes up drinking at night, they will usually fall asleep again while breastfeeding. Therefore, waking the baby to change a diaper is completely counterproductive. The diaper should stay dry until the next morning. However, you should make sure to change the diaper as soon as your child wakes up.

When should I wake my child to change a diaper?

If your child can only tolerate cotton diapers because they have allergies, you should always change the diaper when it is full. Therefore, unfortunately, it is inevitable to wake your child.

By adding another sheet between the mattress and the sheet, you can isolate your baby from moisture. You can use a duvet cover, blanket, or a couple of towels to do this. The most important thing is that your baby does not lie in the wet.

If your child has diarrhea, the diaper should be changed immediately so as not to damage the skin, even if you use disposable diapers. Unfortunately, doing so will most likely wake your baby up and struggle to get him back to sleep.