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If you're a parent of a newborn, your baby's day is going to be full of lots of sleeping and feedings – and dirty diapers! Your baby has a tiny stomach and is growing quickly, so needs to be fed around-the-clock, day and night. With so much breast milk or formula consumed, they likely are going potty quite a bit. And that includes when they are asleep.
Read on for what to do if your baby poops when sleeping and when you can expect them to stop pooping during nap times or or at night.
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Why Do Babies Poop While Sleeping?
As we get older, our bodies restore and repair itself while we are asleep at night. Our bowels use this time to rest, too. However, when a baby is little, they eat and wake around the clock, so their bowels will remain active – even while asleep.
Your baby’s sleeping and feeding patterns will change with age though, which will affect the frequency of them pooping in their sleep. As they grow and their bodies and mind develop, the reasons they may poop in their sleep will also start to change, too.
Why newborns poop while asleep
Newborn babies lack nearly all control of their bladder and bowels and often poop during or right after feeding. This is normal and should be expected.
Since your newborn will feed around the clock for the first few weeks of life, expect them to poop around the clock, too. Some babies poop five times a day or more – but every baby is unique so don’t worry if yours poops more or less.
Regardless of how they’re fed, by the time your baby is between 6 and 8 weeks old and starts spending more time awake during the day, they typically start pooping less at night. More awake hours means more daytime eating — and probably more daytime pooping. It also may mean sleeping longer and eating less at night.
Why older babies and infants poop while asleep
By 4 months old, your baby’s circadian rhythm will start to mature and their daytime naps will become more consistent. At this age, they may even start sleeping longer stretches at night – meaning more time between feeds. While most still will still feed during the night at least once, longer stretches of sleep does mean longer amounts of time between feeds – so they often will stop pooping at night as frequently.
A more consistent daytime schedule also means they will eat more during the day and less at night. Since they also start staying awake for longer during the day, they also have more awake time to poop.
However, as they get older, they still might continue to go at night, which is totally normal. For example, experts say that babies may poop more during a growth spurt (which happens a lot throughout the beginning of life!) Also, if you are choosing to sleep train, your baby may temporarily keep pooping at night as they get used to falling asleep independently. If you are worried that your baby keeps pooping at night frequently, speak to your healthcare provider to see if they have suggestions.
Keep in mind your baby will continue to pee during the night well into toddlerhood. Diapers that are extra absorbent such as Pampers Swaddlers will keep your baby comfy and dry, and prevent unnecessary wake ups from leaks or wetness. Pampers Swaddlers also have a Blowout Barrier – just in case your baby does poop at night.
Why toddlers poop at night
Toddlers often sleep through the night. Naturally, when we are asleep and not being fed, our digestive system will rest as well. This is why pooping while sleeping or at night often stops as we get older.
However, between 12 and 18 months, your toddler begins to be able to control their bowels. That means they may wait to poop until nighttime or during nap time in acts of defiance or to delay bedtime, or to just get a rise out of you or their caregiver.
This is typically just a phase, and will pass as they get used to their newfound independence.
When Do Babies Stop Pooping at Night?
While bowel control starts between 12-18 months, as your baby gets older and more active, and their wake windows get longer, they will start feeding (and pooping) more during the day – and less at night.
However, pooping at night may start up again during a growth spurt or sleep training.
Is it Dangerous to Not Change a Dirty Diaper if Baby Pooped in Sleep?
Keeping your baby in a dirty diaper for extended periods of time, especially when there is a poop, can lead to a serious diaper rash and other complications. If your baby pooped in their sleep and you know they will wake up soon, it's okay to wait just a little – most of the times. If your baby already has a diaper rash, it’s often recommended to change them right when you notice so it doesn’t worsen.
A common cause of diaper rash is when moisture stays on their skin for too long. A dirty diaper can cause your baby’s skin to soften, and softer skin can get damaged when it rubs against a diaper. The chemicals in poop can further irritate your baby’s skin.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly half of babies will get a diaper rash at some point and while they are usually easily treated, sometimes they can cause an infection that needs additional treatment.
Keep in mind: Despite the risk of diaper rash, if your baby pees not poops while sleeping, experts recommend waiting to change them until they wake up. This is because encouraging quality sleep is important for their development and they’ll wake if or when they become uncomfortable. Many diapers are designed to wick away wetness from your baby's skin, so they stay comfortable even after they go to the bathroom.
For toddlers who hold their poop for bedtime to seek attention, talk to your healthcare provider to see if they recommend waiting on changing their diaper. Changing their diaper right away may reinforce their behavior.
How to Prevent a Diaper Rash if Your Baby Poops While Sleeping
If your baby tends to poop while sleeping, you can help prevent a diaper rash by choosing a diaper that is soft and absorbent, keeping their diaper not too tight, and add a thick layer of barrier cream to your baby’s bum before sleep.
For older babies who sleep longer stretches at night, using a more absorbent diaper that’s designed to last up to 12 hours, such as Pampers Swaddlers, will help, too.
If your baby has a diaper rash that is painful, not going away, or getting worse after 2-3 days, or includes pimples, sores, or blisters, speak to your healthcare provider as it may require more treatment. A fever that accompanies a diaper rash also is cause for calling your healthcare provider.
Sleepy Diaper Tip
While newborns cannot sleep through the night and need their diaper changed frequently, they still make runny poops that can leak through their diaper and clothes in seconds. Choosing a newborn diaper such as Pampers Swaddlers that is designed specifically for newborn bowel movements can help prevent leaks – including from blow outs. That way your baby (and you) are kept as clean and comfortable as can be.
How to Change a Dirty Diaper While Your Baby is Sleeping
Before you change your baby's poopy diaper, first consider how early into their sleep they are.
If your baby pooped during sleep and are nearing the end of a nap or morning, you can wait for them to wake. If it's early into a sleep, or your baby is newborn, experts always recommend you change their diaper if there is poop.
Tips for changing a diaper while baby is sleeping:
- Keep the lights off or dim
- Don’t speak to your baby, or speak in a soft calm voice if they rouse
- Gently pick them up and lay them on their changing pad
- Be quick with your change – clean them with a wipe and re-apply barrier cream, then put on a clean diaper
- Put your baby back in their sleep space on their back and leave the room
What to Do if Your Baby Wakes Up During Diaper Change
If your newborn wakes during a diaper change, try to calm them before returning them to their bassinet or crib. Older babies may cry out for more support.
If your baby continues to struggle to fall back asleep when they wake at night, download the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app to get a personalized plan that guides you through how to help them fall back asleep with ease. The app also includes a Smart Schedule that recommends their ideal sleep times to align with their circadian rhythm – so they fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and have an easier time falling back asleep if they wake with a poopy diaper at night. Take this free 3-minute sleep quiz to get your personalized plan today.
How to Prevent Baby Pooping in Sleep
For newborn babies who eat around the clock, it’s nearly impossible to prevent night pooping – they don’t even realize the difference between day and night yet!
For older babies, healthy sleep habits and a consistent sleeping and eating schedule can help them poop more during awake hour – and less during sleep.
Other tips for preventing nighttime pooping
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Helping your baby wind down before bed is an easy way to get them understand when it’s time for sleep – not for poop.
- Track their sleep: As your baby gets older and you start to get a sense of when they typically sleep and wake, it gets easier to predict when they may poop. When you track your baby’s sleeps, wake ups, and diaper changes in the Smart Sleep Coach app, the app will create a schedule for you to predict their future sleeps and wakes to align with their natural sleep rhythms. By encourage the age-appropriate wake windows, your baby will naturally start feeding and pooping during their awake times.
- Keep a food log: If your baby pooped in sleep after stopping, try a food log. Especially if they’re being introduced to solids, breastfeeding, or beginning a new medication, it is helpful to see if something affects their bowel movements. (Keep in mind, poop comes in many different colors, mostly shades of yellow, green, or brown. Newborn baby’s poop also can be black early on. If you notice your baby’s poop is red, contact your healthcare provider immediately – it could be a sign of blood in stool.)
- Offer lots of playtime: Movement and activity during the daylight hours helps your baby recognize the difference of day and night. Movement also can help encourage pooping while awake.
Final Thoughts
Babies poop a lot and it should be no surprise if your baby poops while asleep, especially during the 4th trimester. If you're worried about not being able to change a poopy diaper immediately – or if you don’t realize they even went – don't be. Just change it as soon as they can. When your newborn baby is pooping at night, they will wake soon anyways!
As your baby's feed and wake cycles change as they age, when they poop will naturally shift as well. Continue reinforcing healthy sleep habits such as a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine, and offering plenty of activity and stimulation during the day, to help their bodies get used to a regular bathroom schedule – and sleeping soundly.
