Is 24 Hour Diaper Safe in Winters for Babies?
Preparing for a new baby is exciting, overwhelming and should be hygienic, at most. There is a myth that babies should not be in the diaper all day long.
Is 24 hour diaper safe in winters or can my baby wear diapers all day in winters?
The answer is YES, babies can wear diaper 24 hours in winters but only with the Right Diaper care routine!
Winter brings cozy blankets, warm clothes, and extra cuddles, but it also brings a lot of questions for parents. If you are a new parent or even an experienced one, this question is completely valid because cold weather changes the baby routine, increased layers of clothing, new list of worries and diaper changes can feel more challenging especially at night or when out, it is like waking up a sleeping bear in a snowy night!! Hahahaa
There are important facts that you should be mindful of to keep your baby comfortable and dry.
Let’s break it all down with honesty, practically, and parent-to-parent.
What is 24 Hours Diaper?
24 hour diaper really? Can it cause rashes, infections, or discomfort?
There is no diaper in the market that stays for 24 hours.
The diaper brands which says 12 hours or 24 hours protection, leak proof and dryness overnight. What it means is:
- Leak proof for long sleep
- Multiple wettings can be handled
- High absorbent diapers
- Designed for extended wear, specially overnight
You can think of this like you have a high capacity water bottle in your kitchen, no doubt it holds more water but does that mean you will not clean the bottle? Similarly, they do not mean to say that you should not change diapers for 24 hours straight. It should be change after regular periods.
How to Make Your Baby Rash Free in Winters?
Diapers are designed for continuous wear yet not harmful. Babies wear diapers around the year, sometimes more, and winter can not change anything.
The real issue is not the diaper, it is the moisture and warmth which leads diaper rash, skin irritation and can become super uncomfortable for your baby. A wet diaper that stays longer can give them rash and irritate the sensitive area.
1. Wet Diaper
Sitting in a heavy and wet diaper can cause rashes easily. Babies urinate very frequently in winters, which means you need to change the diaper because urine is still urine. So, try changing diaper after 2-3 hours or early, if heavy.
2. Hygiene
Maintain a proper hygiene, especially in winters. This is the main reason to have diaper rash in babies. Diapers must be regularly changed.
Leaving a diaper on for too long can lead to bacterial or yeast growth.
Even the best diaper has limits.
3. Clean and Dry
The skin of the baby should be dry and clean. Use luke warm water for cleaning or warm wipes. So remove the diaper for sometime and let their skin breathe. A diaper with poop needs to be changed immediately.
4. Sleepy Night
Winters is cozy, so babies sleep through out the night. Investing in high absorbent diaper is usually fine, but you have to check in the morning and change. I use Huggies Natural Soft for my baby at night. It is softest as cloud.
5. Choose the Right Diaper
Always invest in a good quality diaper as they make your baby comfortable overnight. Look for diapers that are high absorbent, breathable and soft on skin.
Neither diaper should be too tight, it will traps moisture nor too loose as this will make the diaper leak. Make sure to check the fit regularly.
Also check if baby is not drinking milk, how to give calcium?
6. Not to Skip Change
It is actually tempting to delay diaper changes in winter, especially night time.
Try to change your baby in warm place. Keep the wipes and clothes ready before the change. Try to use warm wipes, if possible in winters.
7. Rash or Diaper Cream
This helps to prevent rashes. A thin layer of rash or diaper cream protect protect the sensitive area and keeps the skin soft. Apply one layer of rash cream before the diaper and do not over layer it.
8. Diaper Free
Give your baby or toddler diaper free for few minutes after every diaper change or once or twice in a day. This helps in skin breathe which is healthy and prevent rashes. In winters, try to change or give diaper free time in warm room.
9. Avoid Over Layering
Too many layers can also make your baby rash, it holds more heat and sweat. Make them warm and comfortable not sweaty.
To check the overheat, just see the back or back of the neck. If it is warm, this works but, sweaty avoid over layering. Overheat will increase the moisture in diaper area.
10. Hydration
Sometimes, babies drink less in winters comparative to summers, leading to more concentrated urine, which can be irritate the skin. Hydrate your baby in winters as well.
11. Cloth Diaper
It is not complicated to use cloth diaper. They are washable and reusable. I use both for my baby cloth and disposable. Use cloth diaper in the day time and disposable at night. Disposable one hold more and baby will sleep peacefully. A rash cream will works best, if baby has sensitive skin.
Sharing a list of Diaper Rash Cream below:
Top Recommended Diaper Creams:
Other Brands Diaper Creams
When You Should Be Extra Careful?
Be very careful if:
- Baby has very sensitive skin
- Sick or suffering from diarrhea
- Already diaper rash
- Uncomfortable and fussy
- Poop diaper
- Red or irritated skin
- Skin feels damp often
- Eczema
- Sagging diaper
Is your baby showing such signs? try these tricks for good results:
- Switch the diaper brand
- Use a gentle or natural rash cream
- More frequent changes
- Apply breastmilk
- Diaper free time
When You Should Change Diapers in Winter?
A winter friendly guideline:
Newborns:
Every 2–3 hours
Immediately after poop
Infants (3–12 months):
Every 3–4 hours during the day
Once overnight (or not at all if diaper is dry and baby is sleeping)
Toddlers:
Every 4–6 hours
Always after bowel movements
Common Q&A About Diapers in Winters
Which is better cloth or disposable diaper?
Both cloth and disposable diapers work well if used correctly. During night, go for the disposable and for day cloth diaper.
Does winter means few diaper changes?
Skin needs care whether winter or summer. Heat and moisture can irritate the skin. Change accordingly.
If it says 24 hours, Do I still need to change it?
This means maximum capacity, they are not talking about the wear time.
Babies should not wear diapers all day in winter.
Not exactly. Babies can wear diapers all day long, just change them regularly.
No pee or dry diaper means no skin issue.
If diaper is dry, still should be change as moisture and heat can make them diaper rash.
