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Cloth By Day, Cloth By Night – Night Time Diaper Options

Night Diaper! (say it in a sing songy voice to the tune of Hot Pockets! and you’ll get a giggle)

Oh the woes that night wetting can bring. This was definitely an area that scared me when we switched to cloth. I know some people will continue to use disposable at night, but I was determined to go cloth all the way.

If we could make it work!

The first thing you need to know for our situation is that Rissa rarely fusses to be changed. I certainly can’t count on her waking me before she soaks us in bed, but luckily we’ve only experienced a few minor night time leaks. Rissa basically sleeps through the night other than  few sleepy latches. Our night diaper has to really soak it up since she’s in it for a good 12 hours.

Honestly, it’s hard to give her a trim night diaper. I don’t mind bulk as much at night, though I think she looks kinda funny (in a cute way). I know it’s possible to use flats or prefolds at night, but I prefer a fitted or a pocket diaper for overnight. I don’t like All-in-Ones (AIO) for night time because it seems like there isn’t any more room to add boosters!

To the Max

When it comes to bedtime, I want maximum absorbency. I can’t guess how much she’ll wee or when, so I need to know that if I stuff – how much will work without giving her a complex about her butt. This is why I like pocket diapers at night. I feel like I have way more control over the absorbency. I can add an extra insert or prefold to beef up the soaking power. But! I also know the lining will help whisk the moisture away, keeping her skin dry. Some mornings she’s a little rashy because of the wetness, but most of the time she’s all good!

Cloth Diapers I’ve Tried Overnight

  • Mother-ease
  • Sandy’s
  • Thirsties Fab Fitted
  • Nifty Nappy
  • Thirsties Duo Diaper
  • Charlie Banana
  • Bumgenuis
  • Tiny Tush
  • GroVia

Covers used for the fitteds

  • Tweedlebug
  • Econobum
  • Thirsties Duo Wrap
  • GroVia (it fit over Thirsties Fab Fitted – snug but worked!)
  • bebeMellons Wool Cover

My Go-To Night Diapers

My absolute favorite night time diapers are Thirsties – Duo Diaper and Fab Fitted. I like the fit, the roomy tunnels in both for stuffing, and that they unstuff in the wash. I find getting super stuffed, sopping inserts out of a pocket diaper that I used overnight to be very… ucky. I’m also loving my introduction to wool…but more on that later in the event!

I do like Bumgenius and Tiny Tush for their roominess for stuffing as well, so I’ll grab them next if I don’t have Thirsties available for the night!

[Update: As a toddler we liked Knickernappies pocket OS with Thirsties hemp doubler or the SuperDo!]

What do you use for night diaper(s)? Have a favorite?

Don’t forget to see what Formula Mom and Mama On a Green Mission have to say about their night diapering experiences!

Candice Kelly

Monday 13th of June 2011

I was going to buy some wool covers, but I think I'll try thirsties duo diaper first.

Andrea G.

Saturday 11th of June 2011

Thank you for this review! I need to get my hands on Thirsties now apparently :o)

Hannah Gardner

Friday 10th of June 2011

I have really been stumped on what to use for overnight, and have sadly been going back to sposies for night time. But thanks to this post, I am going to try again! Thanks for the tips:) http://hrhersch.blogspot.com/

Carrie

Friday 10th of June 2011

I like a hemp prefold (Thirsties is my fav) in a Willow Store fleece sleeve for dryness, and a Flip cover.

Tandra A

Tuesday 7th of June 2011

We've tried a few different ones. I haven't had the opportunity to try Thirsties - they seem like they'd work well with the gussets and all. For several months (before he recently completely potty trained, 100% diaper free) our super peeing toddler needed a ton of absorbency. We used a homemade sleeve diaper with a Flip prefold, 3 layers hemp, and 3-6 layers microfiber. It was so bulky! I couldn't find (afford) any diapers that could hold all that stuff and still be snug around the legs. At that point, fitteds didn't work really well either.

For my daughter (now 4 months), we used pockets and BGs for a while, but started getting side leaks several times a week. Now am using fitteds with wool and that seems to be working!

After two years and several months of cloth diapering, night dipes have been the most challenging for me. But, their needs change and ya just gotta change the routine/setup so that it works again. =)