When can I get my toddler out of night-time diapers?

Jill Irving

BabyCenter's health visitor

Children usually take longer to be dry at night than in the day. But once your child is reliably potty trained in the day, you can try leaving his diaper off at night.

Once he's woken up with a dry or slightly damp diaper for a few mornings in a row, it's a sign of readiness. Explain to him what you're doing, and why. Remind him that means he can't pee at night unless he gets up to do it in a potty or in the toilet.

Once you've decided to start night-time training, put a waterproof sheet or mattress protector under your son's bed sheet to protect the mattress. Or buy disposable bed mats that contain absorbent materials similar to those used in diapers. Though these can be expensive if your child has lots of wet nights.


Some parents carry their child to the toilet at night when they go to bed themselves, sometimes called "watering". Some parents find it a useful way of getting their children to be dry at night. However your child needs to be awake enough to have a conversation, to avoid just teaching him to pee in his sleep. You could try it for a couple of nights and see what happens.

In the morning, remind him to use the toilet first thing, whether he's dry or not. If he is dry in the morning, be full of praise and encouragement. But be prepared for it not to work right away. Not all children are mature enough at three years. So you may need to try again in a few months.


Disposable training pants are an option at night, just until your child is trained. They're easy to use and encourage independence. They tend to be slightly more expensive than regular diapers. But they will save you from endless washing and prevent your child from that unpleasant feeling of waking up in a wet bed.
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