This topic is about the concerns of a future colostomy patient who is worried after watching a video suggesting that new ostomates need to wake up every three hours at night due to output. They are preparing for surgery and have reached out to a company for more information, finding the representative helpful. They are now seeking advice from experienced ostomates to understand if this frequent night-time waking is typical for those with a new colostomy.

Here are some helpful insights and advice from experienced ostomates:

- Most people with a colostomy find that they can sleep through the night without needing to empty their pouch, and leaks are uncommon if the pouch is emptied before bed.
- In the early days after surgery, output might be loose or watery, and the volume is usually low until a solid diet is resumed. Over time, the frequency and consistency of output stabilize.
- The "wake-every-3-hours" stories often come from those with ileostomies, urostomies, or severely shortened bowels, not typically from colostomies.
- Timing your meals can help manage night-time output:
- Try to finish your last meal 2–3 hours before bedtime, or even earlier if you prefer.
- Keep the evening meal light or bland if night-time output or gas is a concern.
- Always empty or change your pouch just before going to bed. Some people prefer to put on a fresh pouch at night.
- If gas is an issue, certain foods or treatments like chemotherapy can cause the pouch to balloon. If this wakes you, vent or empty the pouch in the bathroom to avoid odors in the bedroom.
- Consider colostomy irrigation for added control once your stoma has healed, usually 6–8 weeks after surgery. Many who irrigate report minimal or no output overnight.
- Some products and gear that might be helpful include:
- Coloplast ostomy pouches and their customer service support.
- Large high-output pouches and "nighttime bags" for those with very active stomas, more common with ileostomies.
- Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is used by some to keep output soft when advised by a doctor.
- An orthopedic bed-wedge pillow or a standard pillow under the knees can help ease back pain when sleeping on your back.
- Sleeping position can make a difference. Some avoid sleeping on their side due to leaks, while sleeping on the back with pillow support can reduce the risk.
- Everyone's experience is different. While a few people do wake every 2–3 hours, often due to gas or high output, many others enjoy 6–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
- It's important to remember that information from non-ostomate professionals can be generic. Stay positive, learn from your own experiences, and use communities and manufacturer helplines for practical advice.