Top 5 Best Cloth Diapers for Heavy Wetters (2023)

Disposable diapers are not only expensive but also add to non-biodegradable waste, which destroys the environment. For parents who are big on saving costs or like to protect their environment, cloth diapering the little ones is the best option. The best cloth diapers for heavy wetters need to have the right absorbency for night time but finding them tends to be a major challenge.

Finding cloth diapers for an infant is easy because they are not heavy wetters. However, once your baby starts weaning and gulping those fluids, you will need to find a cloth diaper that can hold really well without leaking. After thorough research and experience, I found 5 types of cloth diapers to be the most absorbent and wrote this review to help you.

If none of the heavy wetter cloth diaper discussed here works for you, this article also explains how to make cloth diapers more absorbent using inserts and boosters.

Top 5 best cloth diapers for heavy wetters comparison table

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Best overnight cloth diapers for heavy wetters review

GroVia O.N.E. Reusable Baby Cloth Diaper

I agree and most mothers also agree that the Govia one diaper is the most absorbent cloth diaper in the market so far. Whether your baby is a side, back or a tummy sleeper, pee does not leak out through the back or legs as other diapers do. It fits snuggly around the baby’s legs, which prevents pee from leaking.

[su_quote”]Make sure you get the right fit for your baby. Of course, if you get one that is bigger than your baby, it will leak because it will not fit snuggly around the baby’s legs. [/su_quote]

Important features

• Comes with two inserts

Inserts are important because they keep the baby dry no matter how much they pee. They are made of a very absorbent material that allows pee to pass through to the bottom of the insert leaving the top dry.

For a heavy wetter, you may have to use the two inserts to make sure that your baby stays as dry as possible through the night as well as to prevent leaking. This means that there is no need to buy the extra boosters and doublers to enhance absorbency.

• Hook and Loop and Snap closures

The hoop and loop and snap closure help you to adjust the size of the diaper depending on the baby’s size and age.  The GoVia diaper gives you an option to either use the hook and loop closure or the snap closure depending on the one that is easier for you.

I prefer to use the hook and loop more than the snap closure because it makes it easy to put on and take off the diaper especially during potty training. However, it comes off easily when pulled by the baby. The snap closure is difficult to take off; hence, it is the best option when the baby gets to that stage when he or she tries to pull off the diaper.

• Very easy to wash and dry

The inserts come of; hence you should remove them during washing. This allows the diaper to dry fast since it becomes lighter without the inserts.

Always remember to remove the hook and loop closures before washing so that they do not get stuck other items in the machine, or carry fibres and strings that may cause them to lose their stickiness.

Pros

• They are the best for toddlers
• Can hold pee for up to 10-12 hours without leaking
• They remain highly absorbent and soft even after several washes.

Cons

• They are a bit huge for a newborn.

Related article

• Cloth diapering a newborn

ALVABABY Baby Cloth Diapers

(Unisex, 6 packs with 12 inserts)

Important features

• One size fits all

These are the best money saving growth diapers. They come in a pack of 6 unisex colours and can be adjusted to fit your baby from birth until they outgrow them. This means that once you buy this pack, the diapers will grow with your baby so you may not need to buy more.

• Super absorbent with 12 microfiber inserts

Microfiber inserts are very important when you have a heavy wetter. To increase the absorbency of the diapers, you can add several inserts and you can rest assured that there will be no leaks. These inserts are highly absorbent and can hold a lot of pee.

• Keeps the baby dry

The inside of the Alva cloth diapers is made of suede. The good thing about suede is that it does not hold moisture.  The moisture is drawn away into the inserts leaving the surface dry, and thus your baby remains dry as well.

• Hip and crossover snaps

The hip and crossover snaps coupled with the elastic on the legs help to prevent leaking and contain poop during blowouts.

• 1-year guarantee

Once you buy this pack of diapers and doesn’t impress you, you can contact the manufacturer and they will either send you a new pack or refund your money. This shows that they are really sure that their product works as described.

Pros

• Breathable
• Waterproof
• Highly absorbent
• Comfortable
• Variety of colours
• High-quality covers
• Covers dry very fast

Cons

• Inserts may become flat and hard if not washed using a natural detergent

Unisex Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers by Nora’s Nursery

(7 pack with 7 Bamboo Inserts and 1 wet bag)

Important features

• 7 Bamboo Inserts

The fact that these diapers come with 7 bamboo inserts makes them highly absorbent and great for heavy wetters. Bamboo is one of the most absorbent materials and it is also very soft. Thus, bamboo makes the best cloth diaper inserts for heavy wetters.

The 7 bamboo inserts that come with Nora’s Nursery diapers are uniquely designed in that they have 2 inner layers of microfiber and 2 outside layers of bamboo to allow them to absorb as much moisture as they possibly hold. This also helps to ensure the baby remains dry despite wetting several times in the night.

• Very Absorbent

Here is a catch, most people may think that the inserts are likely to lose they absorbency with frequent washing but that is not the case. According to Nora’s Nursery, these bamboo inserts become even more absorbent and softer as they continued to be washed.

The bamboo inserts can also be used with other cloth diaper covers or pocket diapers since they are compatible.

• Leg gussets

The gussets on the legs are specially designed with strong elastic. This ensures that moisture stays inside the diaper. Hence, no leaking no matter how many times the young one pees while sleeping.

• Free wet bag

Most importantly, you get a free wet bay when you purchase these cloth diapers. A wet bag is used to store wet or soiled diapers especially when traveling. A great feature on Nora’s Nursery wet bag is that there is a pocket on the outside where you can keep a clean and dry diaper and a separate compartment for the wet diapers.

If you have a really heavy wetter, two bamboo inserts are enough to lock the moisture locked and keep baby dry through the night. If he does not wet heavily, one insert is enough.

Pros

• They come with 7 Bamboo inserts
• One wet bag is included for free
• They fit snugly around the legs
• Breathable
• Super soft
• Adjustable snaps to fit the baby as he grows
• Very absorbent bamboo inserts
• They do not stain

Cons

• No complaints from moms who have used these diapers so far.

Heavy wetter baby night fitted cloth diaper

These diapers are made of a mixture of hemp and cotton, which makes them super absorbent. In case you did not know, hemp is one of the most absorbent materials and is very durable.

Hemp is usually combined with other fabrics such as cotton in order to make it softer since it is a bit rigid.

Important features

• Best for babies prone to diaper rash

The hemp material used to make these diapers has been found to antibacterial activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. Hence, it is great for protecting your child against diaper rash.

• Comes with two inserts

Each of this fitted diaper comes two inserts with snaps that help to keep them in place. The inserts are made purely from hemp; hence, they are highly absorbent.

Some moms have expressed their concerns that the snaps may leave marks on the baby’s skin, but the good thing is that the snaps are on the underside of the inserts. Thus, they do not come into contact the delicate skin of the baby.

• Soft and highly absorbent

Even with frequent washing, these diapers remain soft and even reach their full absorbency. This is hemp contain natural oils that may prevent it from absorbing liquids; thus, washing reduces the natural oils and make it more absorbent. To maintain their softness, avoid hot water, fabric softeners and bleach, which may make the fabric rigid.

Pros

• They come in one size that can be adjusted as the baby gets older and heavier.
• Their absorbency increases with multiple washing
• These cloth diapers are machine washable

Cons

• Tends to shrink due to the natural fibres; hence, avoid very hot water and over drying them
• The gussets on the legs make them a little bulky for a newborn
• It requires a waterproof wool diaper cover, which is sold separately.

Poosters overnight PLUS Cloth diaper

Poosters Plus cloth diaper is a mixture of hemp and cotton. As explained earlier, hemp is highly absorbent as it can hold as much as 18oz of liquid; hence this is also one of the best cloth diapers for heavy wetters.

With this diaper, your baby is assured to stay dry for as long as 16 hours at night.

Important features

• Comes with 2 inserts 

The inserts have a fleece layer that ensures that the baby remains dry no matter how much they pee. The booster is added to ensure extra absorbency for a heavy wetter baby; thereby preventing leaks.

• Very durable

You can use these cloth diapers for a long time without any signs of fraying and snaps becoming defective. This shows that it is of high quality and very durable.

• Leak-free guarantee for 3o days 

The fact that this diaper comes with a 30 days leak-free guarantee means that the manufacturers are very confident that it is the best cloth diaper for overnight. They give you a chance to try it and return if it does not satisfy your needs within 30 days.

Pros

• These diapers come with a 30 Days Leak-Free Guarantee.
• They a perfect fit for a toddler
• Very absorbent; can absorb up to 31 ounces of liquid

Cons

• Need a waterproof wool cover that is sold separately. Here is the difference between wool and merino
• It is not very soft; hence, you may need a fleece liner
• Not a perfect fit for newborns under 8lbs

5 FAQ about the best cloth diapers for heavy wetters

Are cloth diapers worth it?

Cloth diapers have numerous benefits. Apart from the financial aspect (where you save a significant amount), cloth diapers help to protect the environment from landfill.

A cloth diapered child is also less prone to diaper rash since she is changed more often compared to when using disposables.

So Yes, cloth diapers are worth it.

Can cloth diapers cause diaper rash?

Diaper rash may pop in every now and then but it is not as serious as in the case of disposable diapers.

You are likely to have issues with rashes if you let the baby overstay in a soiled diaper. Thus, ensure diapers are changed often so that the baby remains dry.

How do you keep cloth diapers from leaking at night?

As we have discussed in one of our articles, you can keep cloth diapers from leaking at night by increasing their absorbency.

Absorbency can be increased by adding highly absorbent inserts, soakers, doublers and boosters. Read more about this here

Do cloth diapers keep baby dry?

Pocket diapers are usually lined with a porous material that allows pee to pass through to the inserts. This material could be suede or micro-fleece and ensures that the baby remains dry no matter how much they pee.

How often should I change cloth diapers?

Cloth diapers are not as absorbent as disposable diapers. However, if you add highly absorbent inserts, they should be able to hold a lot of liquid before changing.

It is important to keep checking the baby and when you notice any sign of wetness, change them immediately.

A soiled diaper should also be changed immediately to avoid diaper rash

How to make cloth diapers more absorbent for heavy wetters

What do you do with cloth diapers that leak excessively especially at night?

Every now and then you will come across cloth diapers that despite being considered as highly absorbent, they leak to a point where your baby wakes up all soaked.

Disposing them and getting a different brand may not make sense economically. So how do you deal with this?

What options do you have to make cloth diapers more absorbent?

You have several options to increase the absorbency of your not so absorbent diapers.

You can choose to use pocket diapers and you can easily customize their absorbency, add highly absorbent inserts, add boosters, soakers or doublers, or use highly absorbent prefolds.

1. Get pocket diapers that you can customize their absorbency

Pocket cloth diapers as the name suggests have a pocket where the inserts are stuffed. The top layer of the pocket is made from a material that allows the liquid to pass through and still remain dry such as suede or micro-fleece. The outer cover, on the other hand, is waterproof so liquid can leak through.

Now to increase the absorbency of the diapers, add the desired number of inserts inside the pocket of the diaper. There is a wide variety of cloth diaper inserts as discussed below that you can use depending on how absorbent you want the cloth diapers to be. Once you increase the absorbency, your baby will definitely remain dry through the night.

Here is a video showing you how to use and add inserts into pocket diapers.

2. Add the best cloth diaper inserts for heavy wetters

Most common materials used to make cloth diaper inserts include bamboo, hemp, cotton and microfiber. Among these four options, some are more absorbent than others.

Cotton inserts

Cotton is a natural material and commonly used for making cloth diaper inserts. It is preferred because it is affordable, soft, breathable and highly absorbent. It is also very easy to clean off poop from cotton inserts.

However, if your child wets heavily, you may need to add several cotton inserts in order to avoid leaking. This can make the diaper really bulky and uncomfortable for the little one.

Bamboo inserts

Bamboo is also a natural material made from bamboo plants. It is considered the most absorbent material compared to cotton, hemp and inserts. It is also very soft, breathable and dries very fast when washed. Also, the more you use the bamboo inserts, the more the absorbency increases.

In addition, bamboo inserts are easy to clean and do not stain easily. The high absorbency of the bamboo inserts means that you do not need to add several layers in order to prevent leaking. This makes them the best cloth diaper inserts. Some of the downsides of these types of inserts are that they are relatively expensive and not as long lasting as cotton.

Hemp inserts

Hemp is a natural fiber that is highly praised for its high absorbency and durability. It is believed to have antibacterial property, which helps to prevent the growth of bacteria. This also makes them great for babies with sensitive skin.

The problem with hemp is that it is really rough and stiff. For this reason, it is usually mixed with other materials like cotton in order to make it super soft and flexible.

Also, if hemp cloth diaper inserts are not washed and rinsed thoroughly, they can smell really bad because hemp traps odors within the fibers.

Microfiber inserts

Most cloth diaper inserts are made from microfiber as we have from the previous article regarding the best cloth diapers for heavy wetters.

Microfiber is, however, an artificial or synthetic material, unlike the cotton, bamboo and hemp inserts. Nonetheless, it is highly absorbent and absorbs liquid quite first. In addition, just like the bamboo inserts, the absorbency of microfiber inserts increase with every wash.

Some drawbacks of the microfiber inserts include; they feel rough on the baby’s skin; hence they should not be placed next to his or her skin. They also smell if not washed and rinsed properly.

PRO TIP: To increase the absorbency of cloth diapers, you can try combining different types of inserts. For instance, you can place bamboo inserts in between hemp or cotton inserts for overnight diapering.

3. Add boosters, soakers or doublers

You must be wondering what is the difference between inserts, soakers, boosters and doublers?

Well, boosters, as the name suggests, are used to boost the absorbency of the inserts. What this means is that once you place the insert in the diaper, you can add more absorbency by placing a booster under the insert. In order to ensure high absorbency, the booster should be more absorbent than the insert. For instance, if you use a microfiber insert, add a hemp or bamboo insert.

Soakers refer to the inner layer of the diaper that absorbs the moisture. They can be attached to the diaper or detached. For instance, in the all-in-one diapers, the soakers are attached to make one piece. Thus, they cannot be removed and washed separately. As for the all-in-two diapers, the soakers are detachable, meaning they can be removed and replaced just like inserts.

Doublers are usually added along with inserts to increase absorbency. Adding two or more inserts can make the diaper really bulky around the legs. Hence, a doubler would help to reduce this bulkiness since they are usually cut in an hourglass shape. They at times can be used in place of an insert when your baby is small.

4. Use highly absorbent prefolds

If you are using prefolds, you may be wondering how to make cloth diapers more absorbent when you have prefolds. Prefolds are simply a rectangular piece of cloth similar to what our grandmothers used years ago. So how do you make them more absorbent? Well, one way is to use prefolds that are made from a highly absorbent material such as bamboo.

Bamboo, as we discussed earlier, absorbs more than even cotton and microfiber. Another way is to add a smaller prefold inside the larger prefold to make it more absorbent. A liner made from fleece can really help to keep the baby dry when using prefolds.

To conclude, remember that a good cloth diaper wash routine helps to determine whether your cloth diapers and inserts will remain absorbent with time or not. You need to use the right detergent, the right washing method, and most importantly, ensure the water is at the right temperature.

Lynn

Lynn is a freelance writer, a wife, and a mother of two beautiful kids. Lynn started Infant Empire with the aim of making parenting easier for fellow mums and dads. She believes the parenting tips provided here will be of great help to all parents.