When babies are brand new, they don’t need super absorbent overnight diapers. They don’t sleep long at a stretch, even at night.
Instead they wake every few hours for a feeding, at which time diligent parents change their diapers.
A little later, when babies are taking more milk at one sitting and also sleeping for longer stretches, that changes. If you go to pick up your baby and find clothes and bedding are wet, it’s time to invest in overnight diapers.
When babies wake for feedings, sometimes parents are able to get them back to sleep promptly. That’s unlikely to happen when babies wake up in drenched mode. Parents have to strip them down completely, which tends to be a wake-up call.
By the time baby and bedding have been changed, both of you are awake. That may not happen if you are able to get by with just a quick diaper change and no changing of bedding or clothing. You can avoid lengthy changes during the night with overnight diapers.
We’ve gathered together a list of the best overnight diapers, along with their pros and cons. Read on to decide what overnight diapers work best for you and your baby.
Our Top Picks
- Free of chlorine, fragrance, and lotions
- Thinner design
- High amount of plant-based materials
- Moisture barrier cuffs
- Stretchy side panels for better fit
- Cute designs
- Bundles subscription program
- No chlorine, fragrances, or lotions
- Good for sensitive skin
- Unisex design
- Free from chlorine, chemical bleach, and fragrances
- Designed with barriers to keep moisture in
- The three-layer core for enhanced absorbency without bulk
- Wetness indicator
- Free of chlorine, fragrance, and lotions
- Thinner design
- High amount of plant-based materials
- Moisture barrier cuffs
- Stretchy side panels for better fit
- Cute designs
- Bundles subscription program
- No chlorine, fragrances, or lotions
- Good for sensitive skin
- Unisex design
- Free from chlorine, chemical bleach, and fragrances
- Designed with barriers to keep moisture in
- The three-layer core for enhanced absorbency without bulk
- Wetness indicator
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com. Scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
Disposable Diaper Blueprint
All brands of disposable diapers have the same basic blueprint. They have a waterproof out piece combined with absorbent material in the middle. The layer closest to baby’s skin is a permeable sheet that draws in liquid to the absorbent layer.
Overnight diapers mostly have more absorbent material than regular daytime diapers, though they may have other features as well. They usually have a row of elasticity around the legs to discourage leaks, sometimes two for extra protection. Some overnights have an extra strip of material along the legs that is supposed to act sort of like a dam to keep moisture in.
A snug fit around baby’s middle is also important to prevent leakage. This usually takes the form of an elasticized waistband along with closing tabs.
What’s In an Overnight Diaper?
Some parents don’t want to put conventional disposables on their babies because of concerns about the chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Let’s take a look at what is in a disposable diaper.
- Diapers have a waterproof outer layer made of polyethylene. This common plastic shows up in baby toys, feeding equipment, high chairs, and plastic wrap.
- The inner layer usually contains polypropylene, which can be found in food packaging, clothing, and medical sutures.
- The inner layer of the diaper, which is the absorbent part, contains a fibrous material plus SAP (super-absorbent polymer). SAP looks like white sand when it is dry, and when it gets wet it expands into a fluffy substance that looks like synthetic snow. SAP allows a diaper to hold 15 times its weight in water.
Some parents hate the idea of their babies wearing synthetics right next to their skin and will choose cloth diapers instead, while some go for diapers that are created out of more natural materials. All disposable diapers use some synthetic components, though.
How to Change a Nighttime Diaper
Overnight diapers are for babies who are sleeping longer and don’t require a diaper change in the middle of the night. Still, there will be those times when a baby who normally sleeps through the night will wake up and need a change and a feeding. Those occasions will go more smoothly if you follow these tips.
- Check before you grab! If baby is already wet or soiled, it’s probably best to change right in the crib instead of getting yourself dirty.
- If baby is dry, go ahead and feed. The best time to change is in the middle of feeding, when you stop for burping. If you change first you may have to change again at the end of the feeding, and if you do it at the end baby may already be sleepy.
- Keep lights low, and interaction to a minimum to avoid over-stimulating baby.
- Use a warm wipe so you don’t wake up your baby. Use a wipe warmer, or simply hold the wipe in your hands for a minute to take off the chill.
How to Choose an Overnight Diaper
The only way to really know if a diaper is right for your baby is to use it. Babies have different body builds that affect diaper fit. Some babies have highly sensitive skin that may react to different diaper materials. Some babies need more absorbency than others.
While being leak resistant is important in an overnight diaper, other factors matter, too. If you prefer diapers that are fragrance-free or organic during the day, you won’t want to change for night wear.
There aren’t a lot of diapers on the market labeled as overnight, but there are quite a few that offer outstanding performance in keeping baby dry. That’s more important than the overnight label.
A word about price. It’s tricky to compare costs, as where you buy diapers can make a big difference in value. But no matter where you buy them, diapers are expensive, and overnights are more expensive than standard diapers.
When buying diapers for overnight use, try to find the lowest price. There are several ways to do this. You can subscribe to a diaper supplier and get a discount, usually 20%; cut coupons and look for sales; or buy in bulk.
No matter which method you use to reduce the price of your diapers, always pull out your calculator and look at price per diaper. Don’t stockpile too many, or baby may outgrow them before you use them all. Babies are prone to sudden growth spurts and can quickly jump to a larger diaper size.
Best Overnight Diapers
Links are for diapers in Size 4. Diaper makers seldom make an overnight absorbency in smaller sizes. When comparing costs, remember that diapers get more expensive as you move up in size.
Also remember that diaper companies are always making changes to their products, so a feature may appear or disappear when a product is updated.
Honest Overnights
Actress Jessica Alba founded The Honest Company in 2012 as a wellness brand that creates products that work but are also healthful for users.
The Honest Company gives detailed information about what is in their diapers, one of the few companies to offer such disclosure. Honest Overnights contain materials that are plant-based, sustainable and naturally derived.
The diapers contain some SAP combined with natural plant-based material, making less SAP needed. The elasticized waist and legs contain some polymer spandex and polyolefin.
Both the outer and inner layer contain plant-based materials, unlike most other brands, which typically use polyethylene and polypropylene for those areas.
The company claims that its overnights provide up to 20% more absorption than a regular Honest diaper without a lot of bulk. This is accomplished with “thin core technology.” The overnights come in sizes 3-6.
The Honest Company is certified by Green America to be environmentally conscious and socially responsible. PETA has certified the company as cruelty-free, meaning there is not animal testing on any products.
- Free of chlorine, fragrance, and lotions
- Thinner design
- High amount of plant-based materials
- Moisture barrier cuffs
- Stretchy side panels for better fit
- Cute designs
- Bundles subscription program
Cons:
- Higher price range
- Reports of weak tabs
Sposie Overnight Diaper Booster Pads
Sposie’s pads are 100% hypoallergenic and can help reduce discomfort and skin irritation from moisture. They are also free of chlorine, latex, fragrance, and phthalates.
The diaper pads are meant for use with diapers sizes 4-6 because of their universal fit, and will fit most brands.
- Lower price range
- Can be used with regular diapers
- Hypoallergenic and free from chlorine, latex, fragrance, and phthalates
- Slim design
Cons
- No adhesive back
- Can shift inside the diaper
Seventh Generation Overnight Diapers
The absorbent part of the diaper is made of wood pulp fluff and other plant-based materials combined with SAP. The wood product comes from sustainable sources. Besides SAP, Seventh Generation diapers contain polyurethane, polyethylene and other synthetic substances.
Also, most other companies treat their wood pulp product with chlorine, but Seventh Generation does not. At one time they used a non-chlorine bleach, but they decided to skip bleaching altogether as it is not essential to diaper production.
The company also rejects the use of any fragrances or lotions, labeling their products “free and clear.” Many parents of sensitive-skinned babies report that they have no problems with rash when they use Seventh Generation products.
- No chlorine, fragrances, or lotions
- Good for sensitive skin
- Unisex design
Cons:
- Higher price range
- Can leak easily
- Only available in sizes 4-6
Pampers Baby Dry
Pampers makes several types of disposables. Although they are not labeled as overnight diapers, the Pampers Baby Dry line claims up to 12 hours of absorbency, and users often rate them highly.
Most overnight diapers are only offered in the larger sizes, usually beginning with Size 3 or 4. The Pampers Baby Dry is offered in all sizes, from newborn to Size 6.
These diapers have three layers of absorbency to pull liquid away, as well as three channels to route wetness into the absorbent layers. In the three smallest sizes, there’s also a wetness indicator to let you know that it is time to change baby.
- Available in sizes 1-6
- Good absorbency
- Wetness indicators
- Medium price range
Cons:
- Pampers’ newest version can leak easily
- Not a true overnight diaper
Pampers Swaddlers Overnights
Swaddlers diapers have an Absorb Away liner that keeps baby’s skin dry and comfortable. The diapers also have channels to funnel moisture into the absorbent layer, just like the Pampers Baby Dry line.
Users generally give these diapers high marks for comfort but not such high marks for absorbency. Some also complained that these are easy to mix up with regular absorbency Swaddlers.
- Soft and comfortable feel
- Absorbency channels
- Stretchy edges and adjustable fasteners
- Wetness indicator
Cons:
- Not as much absorbency as expected
- Higher in cost with no significantly higher performance
Huggies OverNites
Huggies, the long-time rival of Pampers, claims that its OverNites brand has the top sales in the category of nighttime diapers. Their OverNites are usually available at a lower-than-average price. They are available in sizes 3-6.
Boasting the industry standard of 12 hours of dryness, Huggies adds an interesting guarantee. If your baby is awakened by a leaky diaper while wearing Huggies OverNites, the company will refund your money.
OverNites feature Double Leak Guards for no leaks and a soft and durable DryTouch liner. They also have a snugly fitting waistband, double grip fasteners and a wetness indicator.
Huggies’ diapers are hypoallergenic and free from fragrance, lotions, parabens, and chlorine.
- Lower price range
- Hypoallergenic and free from fragrance, lotions, parabens, and chlorine
- Good absorbency reviews
Cons:
- Only in sizes 3-6
- New version has negative reviews
Luvs Ultra Leakguard
Although they are not specifically labeled as overnight diapers, the use of the term “NightLock Plus” certainly suggests that they are suitable for overnight use. An extra-absorbent core and gathers around the leg keep moisture inside the diaper where it belongs. These diapers are available in sizes 1-6.
Luvs also offers a money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the quality of Luvs diapers, simply send in your receipt and the UPC code and get the cost of purchase back in the form of a gift card.
- Lower price range
- Strong and repositionable fasteners
- Available in sizes 1-6
Cons:
- Contains fragrance
Bambo Nature Baby Diapers
Some parts of Bambo Nature diapers do contain polyethylene, polyurethane and polypropylene. The absorbent layer is made of wood fiber and SAP. The diapers are, however, made without phthalates and without chlorine.
Bambo Nature does not make an overnight diaper, but they do tout the absorbency of their regular diapers by saying that they are perfect for both daytime and nighttime use. This diaper is more expensive than more mainstream products, but the company offers a subscription service which can save you money.
- Free from chlorine, chemical bleach, and fragrances
- Designed with barriers to keep moisture in
- The three-layer core for enhanced absorbency without bulk
- Wetness indicator
Cons:
- Higher price range
- Can leak at night
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Babyganics combines some organic materials with the usual polyethylene, polyolefin and other synthetics. And, of course, the diapers are free of chlorine, latex, petroleum-based fragrances, and lotions.
Babyganics is proudest of its NeoNourish, a seed oil that they incorporate into the diaper core for a more skin-friendly diaper. Most users found that the Babyganics diapers kept their babies rash-free.
Babyganics does not make an overnight diaper, and they don’t make a lot of claims about the absorbency of Babyganics diapers, but users say that their babies seldom have leaks with these diapers. They are available in sizes 1-6.
The company also gets the prize for the cutest graphics. An absolutely adorable creature has been created for each product.
- Reasonable price range
- Free of chlorine, latex, petroleum-based fragrances, and lotions
- Plant-based core with organic and natural additives
- Soft and non-irritating
- Wetness indicator
Cons:
- Not specifically for overnight
Earth’s Best Diapers
Like most diapers that fly the flag of eco-friendly / organic / natural, Earth’s Best incorporates natural materials into its diapers when possible, but does not produce diapers that are completely free of synthetic materials.
On its website, the company offers significantly less information about its diapers than comparable companies do. It states only that the diapers are manufactured without the use of chlorine and that they are “made with renewable resources including wheat and corn starch.” The website states that the diapers are free of latex, dyes and perfumes.
Most users are enthusiastic about the Earth’s Best product, citing it as a skin-friendly diaper with good absorbency.
- Medium price range
- Free of chlorine, latex, dyes and fragrance
- Soft and non-irritating
Cons:
- Earth’s Best does not provide much information about its diapers
- Users consistently complain the diapers run small
And the Winner Is…
The most important quality for an overnight diaper is absorbency. If you have a diaper with tons of features but it consistently leaks, then you don’t have a true overnight diaper.
Luvs Ultra Leakguard with NightLock Plus is a winner because it sells for a low price but has better absorbency than many pricier diapers.
It performs like an overnight but has all the advantages of a regular diaper, such as being available in a full range of sizes, from 1-6. This diaper is consistently one of the lowest priced among name brand diapers, and it is also chlorine-free, like the more expensive eco-friendly diapers.
For those who insist on a more natural product, the Honest Overnights get the nod. The company clearly takes its mission seriously and displays an extraordinary amount of openness about its products. The Honest brand is also involved in all kinds of good works. Since some parents claim that their regular Honest diapers perform as well as the overnights, however, it would be a good idea to give the regular diapers an overnight trial.
Love (or luv!) and honesty – these are two qualities that are important for good, happy families. As it turns out, they are important in the making of diapers, too.
