8 Hacks for Diaper Blowout

8 Hacks for Diaper Blowout - Tabeeze
8 Hacks for Diaper Blowout - Tabeeze

Picture it: You're snuggling with your adorable baby, who you just got cleaned dressed in a cute outfit…

…Then there’s a nasty smell in the air, and you know exactly what’s going on. You go to change your baby, and surprise — your baby just had a diaper blowout — and it's everywhere. Where do you even begin to clean up this mess? That’s parenthood for you.

Diaper blowouts are never fun, but handling them is an everyday chore for many new parents that can happen anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, every parent will have to deal with a diaper blowout at some point. You can't necessarily avoid them entirely, but you can take steps to help prevent them. 

We at Tabeeze have created a list of eight hacks for dealing with diaper blowouts. We’ve also covered what diaper blowouts are and what causes them.

 

What Is a Diaper Blowout?

To help prevent a diaper blowout, it helps to know what’s going on when one happens.

A diaper blowout is when your baby poops, and it leaks (a lot) out of the diaper. It can cover your baby's legs, back, and sometimes their belly. That’s not something a parent ever wants, but it happens all the time. 

Diaper blowouts might seem alarming, but they’re totally normal. 

 

Why Do Diaper Blowouts Happen?

Diaper blowouts are common during the first year of a baby's life because their diet consists of formula or breast milk. 

Babies between the ages of one to eight weeks old are at a higher risk of having a diaper blowout. They poop frequently — up to 12 times per day — and are more prone to blowouts due to a 100% liquid diet. Luckily, blowouts become less common for most babies once they move on to some solid food.

 

8 Diaper Blowout Hacks

Now that we’ve reviewed diaper blowouts, here are a few hacks for how to deal with them.

 

1. Make Sure the Diaper Fits

The main reason babies have diaper blowouts is simple: their diaper is the wrong size. When choosing diapers, it's essential to know that diapers are sized based on the weight of a baby and not by age.

When a diaper is too small, it can't hold your baby's poops, which leads to a blowout. On the other hand, when the diaper is too big, it can cause gaps and leaks. To check if your baby's diaper is too small, look for a tight waistband. Use your finger to pull the waistband slightly. The diaper may be too small if you feel some tightness on your finger. 

Another way to check a diaper’s fit is to look for red marks and butt coverage. If your baby's bottom is not fully covered while wearing its diaper, you might need to go up a size. If you spot any red indents, the diaper is a tad small. 

To avoid using diapers that are too big, make sure the leg openings aren't too wide. There should be no free space between your baby's waist and diaper.

For the right diaper fit, make sure the diaper:

  1. Stays on straight
  2. Has a waistband that fits just underneath your baby's belly button
  3. Doesn’t have any gaps between the leg cuffs

2. Think About Switching Diaper Brands

Sometimes, parents have the right-sized diapers for their baby’s weight, but blowouts are still happening. If this happens to your baby, consider picking a different brand of diapers. 

Every baby is different, and not every diaper brand is created equal. That's why it's essential to experiment and try different diapers instead of settling for less than the best. If your baby is extra active, you may want to look for diaper brands tailored for busy babies. 

When choosing diapers, pick a reliable and trusted brand that offers some extra blowout protection. Opt for organic materials and avoid harsh chemicals and additives at all costs.

 

3. Change Diapers Often

Not changing your baby's diaper enough can also lead to blowouts.

More absorbent diapers can give you more time before your baby needs a change. However, you still want to check your baby's diaper frequently to avoid the risk of an overflow. As a rule of thumb, make sure your baby is never sitting in their poop or pee. 

 

4. Pull Out the Diaper Leg Ruffles

The leg ruffles around your baby’s legs are an essential part of a diaper’s design and play a role in preventing a blowout. 

A diaper can only hold so much liquid at a time. Pee comes down fast, and sometimes not even the most absorbent diapers can soak it up fast enough to prevent leaks. 

Diaper ruffles help keep any liquids locked inside the diaper and avoid leg leakage. For leg ruffles to work, they need to be pulled out and not tucked in. So, every time you change your baby's diaper, get in the habit of checking the leg ruffles. 

 

5. Pack Extra Outfits in Your Diaper Bag

Diaper blowouts are always inconvenient, but they’re even worse when you’re out of the house.

There’s nothing worse than dealing with a blowout in the car, at the store, or at a restaurant. No matter how stocked your diaper bag is, no parent is ever prepared to handle that disaster.

When you’re out and about with your baby, pack extra clothes for your baby, diapers, and wipes in your diaper bag. Including some disposable plastic bags for soiled diapers and wipes is also smart. If you use cloth diapers, make sure to bring a wet bag that can hold any mess. 

(Of course, your baby's poo can also get on you, so consider packing a change of clothes for yourself, too.) Always be prepared!

 

6. Use Overnight Diapers

There's never a good time for your baby to have a blowout. 

Still, diaper blowouts are a tad bit worse when they happen overnight, and you are not there to catch them immediately. This is when overnight diapers come in handy. 

Overnight diapers tend to have a stronger absorbency and work well when your baby is sound asleep. Overnight diapers are also ideal in the daytime if your baby is what we’d call a “heavy pooper.”

 

7. Use a Cloth Diaper Cover-Up

If no overnight diapers are available in your baby's size, consider placing a cloth diaper over your baby's disposable one to minimize blowouts. Cloth diaper cover-ups are super easy to use: just put the disposable diaper on your baby as usual and then place the cloth one on top. 

Putting cloth diapers over your baby's disposable diaper will add an extra layer of protection from blowouts. Cloth diaper cover-ups typically have elastics all-around your baby's body (their legs, back, and front). They also tend to be waterproof, which helps minimize the chances of any leakage. 

If your baby still has a blowout, using a cloth diaper cover will help minimize cleanup. Plus, if your baby has a blowout in the middle of the night, you won't wake up to a huge mess first thing in the morning.

Another bonus for using a diaper cloth cover is that they are usually one size and can grow with your baby. With a diaper cloth cover, you don't have to worry about buying different cloth diapers to fit your baby as they get older. 

 

8. Tabeeze's Bottom-Up Bodysuit and Blowouts

When it comes to diaper blowouts, the type of clothing your baby wears matters too. You don't want your baby's clothes to be too tight or restrictive, and you need a functional onesie that makes dealing with a blowout a little bit easier. 

Tabeeze's Bottom-Up Bodysuit helps minimize the mess and the stress. Since this bodysuit goes over the baby's feet first and snaps at the shoulders, you don't have to worry about pulling a poopy onesie over your baby's head, potentially causing even more of a mess. 

Tabeeze's bodysuits are also made with pre-shrunk, ring-spun organic jersey cotton, making washing them a breeze after blowouts.

 

Tips for Cleaning Baby After a Blowout 

After a dreaded blowout, it is time to clean up the mess.

Here are a few tips on how to clean your baby:

  1. After your baby has a blowout, make sure you use plenty of wipes to clean them properly. If you are home when a blowout happens, get that baby cleaned in a tub. If a blowout occurs during an outing, find a changing table so you can adequately remove their clothes and clean them up.

  2. Wash clothes right away. Run the soiled clothes under cold water and then wash them. If a blowout happens during an outing, find a restroom and rinse clothes immediately. As soon as you get home, wash the clothes to avoid staining. 


Wrapping Up and Washing Up

Diaper blowouts are inevitable. It's a right of passage for parents. With this guide, you now have some tricks and hacks for minimizing the risk of a baby blowout and cleaning up the mess. 

Of course, even if you take all of the preventative measures to prevent a diaper blowout, they can still happen — and that’s okay. Remember to always stay prepared and be ready for anything!

Source: 

Diaper Blowout: Causes, Cleanup, and Prevention | Verywell Family

The Go-To Diaper Size Chart You Need for Every Age | Healthline

5 Signs It's Time to Go Up a Diaper Size | AskDrSears