Best Overnight Diapers For A Wet-Free Sleep (2020 Guide)
If you're sick and tired of changing wet sheets in the middle of the night and being disrupted from your own peaceful slumber because your little one has wet their bed again, then overnight diapers might be for you.
As a new mom, I had always thought that a diaper was a diaper.
But, I soon figured out that there was a huge difference between day diapers and overnight diapers.
And once I got my hands on a pack of overnight diapers, all of the disruptions and soaked and freezing sheets were a thing of the past.
How Overnight Diapers Differ From Regular Diapers
You may not think they differ in any way, but overnight diapers are definitely different from regular diapers.
First, regular diapers are meant to be worn more during the day and afternoon. They are still absorbent, but they are on the thin side so they fit easily under clothes and provide a lot of comfort for babies and toddlers.
Regular diapers are changed regularly-approximately every 2 to 3 hours, and they don’t have to be as absorbent since they aren’t going to be worn for an extended time period.
Overnight diapers, on the other hand, are meant to not be changed for up to 8 hours, or sometimes longer.
They have a ton of padding and absorbency.
Overnight diapers also tend to fit a bit snugger, especially around the thighs.
Again, your baby is only wearing them to sleep and is not going to be on the go, as though would in regular diapers, so the snugness doesn’t bother them.
After trying my son in an overnight diaper, he started to sleep better, he had little to no leakage, and he remained happy as a clam!
He goes to bed by 8 pm and usually rises by 6 am.
His diaper is always full, and he is usually always bone dry.
Overnight diapers really are that good and absorbent.
Tips for Preventing Leaky Nighttime Diapers
Sometimes, a wet overnight diaper cannot be avoided—we've all experienced those nights. But, there are some things you can do to help prevent a leaky nighttime diaper.
Limit water consumption. Try not to give your baby anything to drink after 7pm. Not only will this help the diapers do their job, but your baby is less likely to have leaks. And, it’s a good habit to start for potty training purposes, when it can be difficult for trainers to have a dry night if too much liquid is consumed too close to bedtime.
Make sure the diaper is snug. Your baby’s diaper should be snug. It should not cut off circulation or be uncomfortable around your baby’s thighs or hips, but it certainly shouldn’t be too lose! If you can easily slide your finger between the diaper and your child’s thigh, adjust the tabs so it closes the diaper tighter.
Put on an overnight diaper right before bed. Everyone has a different bedtime routine, but I always give my son a bath and take him right up to his nursery for bed. This allows me to put the overnight diaper on immediately, rather than wasting a regular one for only an hour or so before I swap it for the overnight.
Consider sizing up. This may sound silly, but it actually does work. If you notice any leaks, your child’s diaper may not be able to contain all the liquid, so a lot of parents feel that after they sized up, the larger diaper was able to hold more and less leaks happened. Many are concerned about it being too loose, but the extra wide side tabs can be pulled tightly and adjusted to fit snugly around the waist, hips, and bottom.
Try a booster pad. If you've tried all of the above and have put your child in high quality, extra-absorbent diapers but are still having leaks overnight, consider a booster pad as a last resort. Shaped like feminine pads, booster pads fit inside the diaper. The liquid will soak through that first before hitting the diaper. It may take your child some time to get used to the extra padding, but in the long run, they will be more comfortable since they will stay dry and warm overnight.
Best Overnight Diapers
Free of fragrances and other harmful chemicals, Seventh Generation is a brand you can trust when it comes to diapers coming in contact with your baby’s most private places.
These soft, cloth-like diapers are priced reasonably (click here to check the price on Amazon), and many parents say are totally worth it since their baby sleeps better and stays completely dry for extended periods of time—approximately 10 hours.
They have a stretchy back to guarantee a comfortable but snug enough fit so leaks don’t occur.
Plus, they love that the diapers are made from renewable resources.
The diapers are extra-absorbent, so they are ideal for being used for extended periods of time.
Their center contains wood-pulp, corn, and other absorbent materials so petrochemicals are not needed to get this heavy duty job done!
An old reliable and a favorite among a lot of mommies I know, Huggies Overnights (click here to check the price on Amazon) have gotten tried and true results.
The diapers are ultra-absorbent and boast about 12 hours of protection.
They also have a stretchy back that makes the diapers flexible, yet snug so leaks don’t occur.
They also have an extra wide tab that stretches and accommodates all kinds of shapes and sizes, pretty much guaranteeing a fabulous fit for all.
Huggies Overnights are not organic, but they do a good job at keeping wetness where it belongs.
Each diaper has a baby-friendly character on it and they are a number one seller in stores and online (where you can clip some coupons and save lots if you start a subscription for services).
Rounding out my list of the best overnight diapers are the Pampers’ Extra Dry Diapers, which are cost-friendly for parents on a budget (click here to check the price on Amazon).
While they do not have an overnight label, Pampers does recommend them for extended wear, such as bed time or during long travel hours.
The diapers keep liquid at bay for about 12 hours.
Like the other diapers, they are very soft, so your baby will feel totally comfortable wearing them.
The diapers have something called extra dry zones, which utilize maximum absorption materials right where your baby needs them.
Also, like Huggies, these Pampers diapers are not organic and do not use totally natural ingredients, so that's something to keep in mind.
But, their product is highly effective for a very budget friendly price.
Wrapping Up
After using overnight diapers, my sleep improved because my son’s sleep improved.
I was doing less laundry, less scrubbing and scouring, and less sanitizing.
While it did increase my monthly budget, the extra dollars were totally worth it.
If you have had it with overnight leaks, you definitely need to try some of the diapers above and start taking advantage of their numerous benefits!