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The best overnight diapers are Pampers Swaddlers Overnights, according to the What to Expect editorial team and community parents, because of the wetness indicator and amazing absorbency.
Before becoming a parent, I assumed there were only two types of diapers: disposable and cloth. But once my son started sleeping for longer stretches at night, I realized that there was another style worth stocking up on: overnight diapers.
As the name suggests, overnight diapers are meant to be worn at bedtime. Thicker and more absorbent than regular diapers, nighttime diapers serve the important purpose of protecting your baby from messy leaks and full-on blowouts while asleep. When my oldest son started sleeping through the night, regular diapers couldn’t always contain his leaks — which meant middle-of-the-night changes were more likely. Plus, I was having to launder his crib sheets most mornings. Once we switched to overnight diapers, we all slept a little more peacefully.
These days, many brands are jumping on the bandwagon and creating exclusive lines of diapers designed to keep your little one dry throughout the night. But which overnight diapers contain mess exceptionally well?
To select the best overnight diapers, I used my experience as a mom of two as well as feedback from parents on the What to Expect editorial team and in our community who regularly use overnight diapers.How we chose the best overnight diapers
As a mom of two, I reflected on the many overnight diapers I tested over the years. Buying diapers, however, tends to be very personal — what works well for one baby’s skin or body might not be the best fit for another little one. To ensure I was considering all skin sensitivities, mess sizes and budgets, I sought feedback from parents in the What to Expect community. I also utilized results from our 2024 What to Expect Sleep Awards, in which over 1,150 parents voted on their favorite type of overnight diaper and provided insight as to why each pick was the best. Finally, I spoke to three parents on the What to Expect editorial team about their experiences with various overnight diaper brands.
Based on all of this feedback, I narrowed down the list to include eight overnight diapers that received the highest marks for absorbency, fit and price.
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
For four years in a row, What to Expect parents have voted the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights the Best Overnight Diaper in the What to Expect Sleep Awards because of their amazing absorbency and ability to contain leaks and blowouts.
Most parents who are loyal to Pampers’ regular diapers say the wetness indicator (that blue line that appears on the diaper when it's wet) is a top reason; and it’s also a favorite feature among parents who use their overnight diapers, too. This way, when checking on your little one during the night, you’ll know when their diaper actually needs changing with just a quick glance.
Most importantly, Pampers Swaddlers Overnights are incredibly absorbent. “Some other brands were almost too absorbent and [my son] got a heat rash from them, but Pampers Overnights worked well and he had no leaks,” says Melissa Bykofsky, What to Expect’s Executive Editor and a mom of one.
Parents also love how well the Swaddlers Overnights fit their babies in order to best prevent leaks, yet they have some give to them so that they don’t irritate their skin. “Pampers Swaddlers Overnights aren't super tight, which allows for some airflow to prevent heat and/or diaper rash,” says Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director and mom of one. “I also feel like the tabs are much more secure compared to others.”
Another reason that these overnight diapers are new-parent approved? They’re blanket-soft and comfortable on your little one’s precious bottom. Swaddler Overnights also start with size 3, which fit babies as small as 16 pounds, so you can get the most out of that overnight protection.
“We use Pampers Swaddlers overnights. Never an issue. He sleeps 12 to 13 hours.”
“I’ve had the best luck with the Pampers Overnight.”
“We use Pampers Overnight with our son when he started sleeping on his tummy and peeing through. We have had no issues with them.”
The Honest Company is beloved for their naturally-derived, plant-based and sustainably made diapers that remain absorbent and comfortable for babies. Their overnight diapers are a favorite for babies with sensitive skin because they’re super soft and hypoallergenic all while providing advanced nighttime leak protection, thanks to a bio-based core technology that’s 20 percent more absorbent than Honest’s regular diapers. (The brand claims to have up to 12 hours of wetness protection, and many What to Expect parents say they indeed contain a ton of liquid.)
They’re also impressively slim, with a dry-touch quilted lining to help your baby feel more comfortable while snoozing. In fact, many parents note that their little one’s skin is surprisingly dry in the morning — an especially helpful feature if your baby is prone to diaper rash. And although it’s certainly not an essential feature, many parents also love the sweet patterns on Honest products; these are sold in starry night, sleepy sheep or cloud and stars.
“We tried Pampers, Huggies, Up&Up and Honest overnights. Honest were by far the best for my kids. All the other brands we had no issues with their daytime diapers, but they just didn’t hold enough overnight.”
“The Honest Brand ones have been great for us! We wake up with some ridiculously filled diapers some mornings and no leaks!”
Many parents swear by Huggies daytime diapers, so it’s no surprise that so many turn to their overnight variety, too. In our What to Expect community, countless parents reference how absorbent Huggies OverNites Diapers are, with many saying that they’ve never experienced leaks with this brand.
One reason for this could be the diaper’s Double Leak Guard, which promises up to 12 hours of wetness protection, along with the strong double-grip strips and snug waistband. “We tried a few brands and Huggies felt super thick and absorbent,” says Olivia DeLong, What to Expect’s Senior Health Editor and mom of a 4-year-old. “They fit snugly and we never had a leak.”
Huggies OverNites were my personal favorite overnight diapers for my sons, too. Like Olivia, I found the fit to be perfectly snug but not too tight. Like many parents, I appreciated the wetness indicator, which makes it easy to quickly check when it’s time to change baby. Many parents also like that the leg holes are comfortably stretchy but still secure (important for keeping blowouts contained).
“We've had success with Huggies Overnights. If your LO pees a lot at night like mine does, be sure to size up! For instance, my LO wears a size 4, but overnight, he wears a size 6.”
“We use Huggies! LOVE them for my baby and toddler! Almost never leak!”
“Huggies have been great! He’ll go about 6ish hours at night and he pees A LOT and I haven’t had any issues with them!”
“We use Huggies overnights and they make a huge difference! It will last him all night!”
“Huggies Overnites work great for us! Definitely hold more than the daytime styles.”
Sizes available: 1 (6-18 lbs.), 2 (18-40 lbs.), 3 (40-60 lbs.), 4 (60-80 lbs.)
If you’re cloth diapering , you might be a little confused about how to approach overnights. Many parents in our What to Expect community recommend using a waterproof shell, and the Thirsties Duo Wrap is a top pick.
This pocket cover is easy to stuff with multiple layers of inserts, prefolds or flats, and the waterproof layer prevents leaks without irritating baby’s skin (in fact, it’s surprisingly soft). In between uses, you can wipe the wraps, then clean them in the washing machine every three to four wears. Parents particularly like the tall gusset for further preventing leaks, and the three snap settings to allow for an adjustable fit.
They’re available in a size for babies 6 to 18 pounds and another for babies 18 to 40 pounds on major retailers, though the Thirsties website also offers extended sizing up to 80 pounds.
“I use Thirsties [cloth diapers] for overnight.”
“I have Thirsties hemp inserts for the duo fitted diapers at night and they worked really well.”
Although many of the overnight diapers on this list ring in between $.40 and $.60, the Target Up&Up Disposable Overnight Diapers are just $.24 each, making this a much more affordable option for families looking to cut costs. In addition to the lower price point, What to Expect parents appreciate the extended size range — the brand starts at size 3 and goes up to size 7, whereas many other overnight diapers are only available up to size 6.
“I’ve bought Target’s diapers during their frequent diaper sales, and they work well,” says leah. “Obviously the lower price point is the big draw, but I was surprised at their thickness, which is a good indicator of absorbency.”
Overall, parents find these diapers to be highly absorbent and heavy-duty enough to hold up to longer stretches at night. But some, including Leah, do note that belly sleepers may be a little more likely to experience leaks.
“My favorite! My daughter can go 12 hours in them and doesn’t ever leak.”
“Target overnight diapers have worked wonders for me. My son is a big boy, he’s 21lb. I usually don’t have any leaks.”
“I’ve been using them for a while now and have never had a leak.”
If you’re about to start potty training , you may want to have a hefty supply of these disposable undies on hand. Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear are available for boys and girls, with a variety of prints in popular characters that help make “night underwear” more appealing for kids transitioning out of diapers.
Whichever pair of Goodnites you go with, What to Expect parents confirm that the material is highly absorbent and leak-resistant, which is ideal when you’re just starting potty training and nighttime accidents happen. They’re available in a range of sizes up to 140 pounds, which is helpful as some kids aren’t developmentally ready to hold their urine through the night until somewhere between ages 5 and 7.
“We use Goodnites Overnight Underwear (they have Marvel-printed, my son loves his hulk ‘nighttime undies’) and very rarely have leaks. My son has been in underwear for a year (he’s 4) but is still not able to hold it all night most nights… pretty developmentally normal at this age.”
“Goodnites hands down. My oldest kept having accidents at night until he was about 6. We used them and never had an issue. I will use them for my 2.5 year old when he is ready too.”
If eco-friendly and allergy-sensitive are two of your priorities when it comes to choosing a diaper, Bambo Nature Overnight Diapers are worth testing out. These overnight diapers are made from a latex- and chlorine-free, textile-like pulp material that’s soft on baby’s bottom and free of potentially harmful chemicals that could irritate skin. What’s more, they’re manufactured using 100% wind power, so the production is much more sustainable than other diaper brands.
But you also don’t have to worry about compromising absorbency: What to Expect parents say that these eco-friendly diapers still provide sufficient protection for long stretches overnight. They have an impressive top-dry system that keeps your baby’s diaper near-dry (even when it’s technically wet). Parents also appreciate the flexible waistband and leg cuffs, which deliver additional protection against blowouts.
“I second Bambo Nature. We cloth diaper but use one of these each night. They're awesome.”
“We use Bamboo Nature for overnight! They're pricey, but really nice!”
“Life changing” is a word often used by caregivers to describe Sposie Booster pads. Although these technically aren’t diapers, they come in handy for overnight protection. They’re super soft pads that are designed to slip into your baby’s diaper. (There are no adhesives in this particular style, so you can easily reposition the pad during diaper changes, but some parents do prefer the ones with adhesives.) Their claim to fame is that they can increase absorbency by 8 fluid ounces, which is quite an impressive feat.
The pads are available in sizes 4 to 6, but they’re not necessarily size dependent — meaning many parents use them on various-sized diapers. “I'm a big proponent of the Sposie Booster Pads,” says Leah. “These were great when my daughter was sleeping through the night, but not big enough for overnight diaper sizes. We didn't have to deal with leaks, but she wasn't in too-big diapers.”
As a bonus, at around $.40 per pad, they’re a little more affordable than some disposable overnight diapers and are sold in large quantities — so you don’t need to worry about having different types of diapers mixed up in your changing table .
“I use these. Just insert them in his regular diapers and haven’t had an issue. Now I don’t have to have a separate space for regular diapers vs. overnight diapers.”
“We tried multiple overnight diapers with no luck. We ended up adding a Sposie pad to our regular diaper and it’s been working great.”
“Sposie inserts are life changing.”
“We started using an overnight diaper one size up with these pads. My 2-year-old and 9-month-old used to always leak, but now they wake up dry 90% of the time.”
Absorbency is of the utmost important when shopping for overnight diapers, but there are also other factors to consider when choosing the best overnight diaper for your baby: Type: As with regular diapers, you’ll want to consider what kind of overnight diapers you’re looking for as you start shopping. For example, do you prefer disposables or cloth? Is it important that the diaper be eco-friendly or made from materials that are gentle on baby’s skin (this can be important for little ones who are prone to diaper rash)? Are you interested in trying a booster pad?Sizing: Overnight diapers are generally sold in the same size range as their regular counterparts, but many parents recommend going up one size when using overnight styles. That’s because the extra material can increase the absorbency and further prevent leaks.Fit: As with regular diapers, some overnights simply fit different babies better than others. If you’re trying a new brand, you may want to start by ordering a smaller quantity to make sure the diaper fits your little one comfortably before committing to a value pack.Extra features: Some overnight diapers have nice-to-have features such as a wetness indicator, pocketed waistband and ultra-secure tabs, all of which can help prevent leaks and make them easier to use.
The best overnight diaper is one that is highly absorbent which, according to our community and staff, is Pampers Swaddlers Overnights. But there are other factors to consider that might set one brand apart from another for your little one. You’ll want to consider price (some of the options on this list are more affordable than others), fit (the perfect style for one baby isn’t always ideal for another) and type (if you’re looking for a cloth or disposable diaper, for example), among other features to find the best nighttime diaper for your baby. As far as our editors and What to Expect parents are concerned, however, Pampers Swaddlers Overnights is the top choice for overnight diapers. They’ve been voted best overnight diaper brand multiple years in a row in our annual What to Expect Sleep Awards, and parents rave about how highly absorbent they are.
Overnight diapers do tend to be far more absorbent than regular diapers. Most promise to keep your child dry for up to 12 hours, which comes in handy if you’re one of the lucky parents whose little one stays crib-bound for that long each night. You won’t find an overnight style from every diaper brand (some are that absorbent already), but a proper poopsplosion often calls for a heavy-duty overnight diaper.
Regardless of whether you’re using regular or overnight diapers at night, many parents recommend going up one size to increase the amount of absorbency your little one has. Also important: If you have a baby boy, pointing his penis down in the diaper (rather than up) when changing him can help prevent nighttime leaks on his shirt.
Overnight diapers do tend to be far more absorbent than regular diapers. Most promise to keep your child dry for up to 12 hours, which comes in handy if you’re one of the lucky parents whose little one stays crib-bound for that long each night. You won’t find an overnight style from every diaper brand (some are that absorbent already), but a proper poopsplosion often calls for a heavy-duty overnight diaper.
Regardless of whether you’re using regular or overnight diapers at night, many parents recommend going up one size to increase the amount of absorbency your little one has. Also important: If you have a baby boy, pointing his penis down in the diaper (rather than up) when changing him can help prevent nighttime leaks on his shirt.
An overnight diaper is worth buying once your little one is sleeping for longer stretches at night. This varies from baby to baby, but some infants are able to start sleeping for longer stretches (six to eight hours straight) without a feeding sometime between 4 and 6 months.
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