The 10 Best Diapers to Contain Even the Biggest Blowouts

Pampers Swaddlers are the diapers most hospitals use on newborns, as well as a five-time What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award-winner. 

Pampers Swaddlers are absorbent and pull moisture away from baby’s skin. That wicking action, plus the fact that they’re hypoallergenic, helps keep baby’s delicate skin rash-free and your little one more comfortable.

Pampers Swaddlers feature the brand's Dual Leak-Guard Barriers, which run along the leg cuffs. Most recently, the brands added a Blowout Barrier at the back waist, which is great for babies who sleep on their back. 

Robin Hilmantel, What to Expect's Senior Director, Editorial Strategy & Growth has tried various diapers for all three of her babies, but keeps coming back to Pampers Swaddlers.

"I like how soft they feel and that they're also relatively affordable," she says. "The new blowout barrier also really does work to prevent blowouts out of the top of the diaper (near the back), although my 6-month-old still has blowouts of the sides (near the legs) sometimes."

Furthermore, Pampers Swaddlers promise up to 12 hours of dryness protection — but good luck getting baby to sleep that long!

Here’s the truth about diapers: Every baby is different, and what fits one infant like a glove might be too big, too small or simply not-quite-right for another. As a result, it’s very likely that you’ll test a few brands before settling on the best one for your baby. But of all the brands out there, Huggies seems to get the most praise from parents in the What to Expect community for fitting their babies well and preventing major blowouts.

When it comes to avoiding leaks, a lot comes down to fit. Parents report that Huggies diapers just seem stretchier than many other brands, particularly around the leg bands, and are better at containing poopy blowouts. What to Expect's VP, Content Christine Mattheis started using Huggies Little Snugglers when her daughter “entered the blowout phase” and found them to be a game-changer. “Huggies diapers have an elastic band at the top that helps contain the poo-splosions,” she explains, adding that her daughter had no trouble switching diapers. 

As a parent of two, I’ve tried pretty much every diaper brand, but Huggies is the one we’ve returned to more than any other. Although every baby will have a blowout from time to time — after all, there are simply some dirty diapers that can’t be contained — I seem to experience the fewest messes with Huggies. They absorb liquid incredibly well and rarely leak, and the leg bands and pocketed waistband usually successfully catch pee and poop before they can escape from the sides or back. The grip strips seem more sticky and secure compared to other brands, too.

Other features worth noting: The smallest sizes (Newborn and Size 1) have an umbilical cord cutout so as not to irritate your baby's belly button while it heals, and there’s a wetness indicator (which is crucial!).

These diapers are also designed with sensitive skin in mind. They’re hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, lotions, parabens, elemental chlorine and natural rubber latex. Many parents report fewer diaper rashes and less skin irritation compared to some other brands.

At $.27 per diaper, Huggies fall somewhere in the middle of the pack price-wise. But many parents say they’re happy to pay a little more to avoid the hassle and mess of leaks.

As with disposables, cloth diapers might require some trial and error before you find the right fit for your baby. With cloth, you may also want to experiment with a few different styles to see what works best for your family. For example, there’s all-in-ones (a one-piece design), pockets (a two-piece design that includes a cover with inserts) and prefolds (fabric that’s folded to fit your baby).

Our What to Expect community is filled with debate about which cloth diaper brand is best. But one that’s mentioned again and again isBumgenius. A number of What to Expect parents appreciate that this brand is relatively affordable, especially if you purchase them in larger quantities, and prevents leaks successfully.

This is an all-in-one cloth diaper, which means it’s just one piece that needs to be changed and washed, with no separate covers or liners to clean. (Many parents find that this is the easiest way to use cloth diapers, although it’s certainly not the best or only way.) The downside of all-in-ones is that they need to be changed after every use, whereas you can reuse the cover on some other types if it’s not soiled.

Bumgenius All-in-Ones have a waterproof outer layer to prevent leaks, a stay-dry interior and a microfiber layer in the shell. The diapers come in just one size, and you can adjust the snaps to fit your baby. And because they’ll fit kids up to 35 pounds, you may be able to continue using them until your child is eventually potty trained. In other words, while they cost more per diaper compared to disposables initially, you’ll save money in the long run.

Some parents say that the brand’s All-in-Ones leg holes can be a little looser if your baby has thinner legs. If that’s the case, you might start with the Bumgenius Pocket Diapers, which tend to fit a bit more tightly.

At $.18 per diaper when bought through Costco, it’s hard to beat the price of the retailer’s Kirkland Signature Diaper brand. But despite being incredibly affordable, these diapers make no sacrifices when it comes to quality. In fact, many parents, including What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director Leah Rocketto, say they’re very similar to Huggies. 

“You could blindfold me and put both [Huggies and Kirkland] diapers in my hands, and I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference,” says Leah, who opts for Kirkland’s because of the low price point. She has tried several other diaper brands, and Kirkland’s diapers continue to be the thickest and most absorbent of the bunch. Leah also notes that the Kirkland’s waistband is stretchier than other brand’s, which gives the sizes more longevity. 

Kirkland diapers check all the boxes when it comes to essential features. In addition to a wetness indicator and back pocket, they have a clever next size up indicator on the waistband; when it’s time for your baby to move up to a bigger size, it changes colors. They’re highly absorbent, too.

A number of parents who have babies with sensitive skin say these diapers are gentle enough for their little ones to use without developing a rash. They’re free of natural rubber latex, elemental chorine, fragrance and lotion and made with mostly plant-based materials.

The only real downside is that in order to get the best price, you’ll need a Costco membership (although we found them at a few retailers listed here for slightly more).

Leaks don’t stand a chance with Rascal + Friends Premium Diapers. The Walmart-exclusive diapers are designed with a number of features that help them absorb pee incredibly well, parents say, including a thicker 3D core, a back pocket to catch blowouts and a stretchy, high-backed waistband that hugs baby securely.

Parents of little ones with sensitive skin appreciate that Rascal + Friends diapers are very soft and won’t cause irritation. They’re chlorine-, latex- and fragrance-free and made with sustainable pulp. The diapers are also cruelty-free and vegan.

Rascal + Friends diapers don’t have a wetness indicator, though What to Expect parents say it’s usually pretty obvious that they’re wet. Some reviewers also note that they can run a bit big, so you may need to size down. And at $.40 per diaper, these are definitely on the pricier side. If you’d like to save money, you could try using them only for overnights since they’re so absorbent.

In addition to being made with eco-friendly, sustainable materials, The Honest Company diapers are incredibly popular within the What to Expect community, particularly among parents of babies with sensitive skin.

Every baby is different, but for little ones with sensitive skin, simple is usually better. The brand’s Clean Conscious line is designed without latex, fragrance, added parabens or lotion and made of mostly plant-based materials that haven’t been chlorine-processed. In other words, these diapers contain fewer ingredients that might trigger a reaction in sensitive skin.

“I like that Honest Company’s diapers don't have that strong diaper smell,” says Shelley Gingrich, What to Expect’s Executive Director of Brand Solutions. Shelley adds that these were one of the few diapers that didn’t irritate her daughter’s already sensitive skin.

Another bonus: Shelley says her daughter had very few, if any, leaking incidents while wearing The Honest Company diapers — even overnight. This makes sense, as the brand claims their diapers can hold up to 17 times their weight. 

As for feel, they have a super soft liner that's like velvet on baby’s bum, along with two back waistband pockets and a quick absorb channel to direct potential leaks away.

While all of these features are exciting for parents, one of the biggest draws is The Honest Company's subscription plan that lets you set up recurring orders to have diapers dropped off at your doorstep when you need them.

Of course, looks aren’t nearly as important as functionality, but for what it’s worth, these diapers come in the most adorable prints — think giraffes, trains, strawberries and limited edition bunnies, lemons and blooms. At $.34 per diaper, they’re pricier than some other brands. But if you love them, a subscription can help save you money.

If your regular diaper is absorbent enough to go longer stretches, there’s no reason to do anything different at nighttime. But if your baby tends to leak at night, overnight diapers can be a lifesaver. They’re more absorbent, so your little one can sleep comfortably without waking up from wet clothes (that will help you sleep longer, too). And when it comes to the best overnight diapers, tons of parents in the What to Expect community recommend Pampers Swaddlers Overnights.

What to Expect’s Executive Editor Melissa Bycofsky tried several overnight diapers before finding her perfect match in Pampers. 

“My son never had a leak wearing these, despite them not feeling overly heavy or large,” Melissa says. 

These diapers score rave reviews for being incredibly soft and comfortable on your baby’s bum, and also well-designed to prevent leaks. They’re thicker than regular Pampers, and parents say they do an excellent job at absorbing moisture. They have a pocketed waistband, as well as the brand’s Dual Leak-Guard Barriers and moisture-wicking BreatheFree Liner to keep baby’s skin nice and dry.

Swaddler Overnights start with size 3, which fit babies as small as 16 pounds. If you do find that these diapers leak, parents recommend going up one size before switching brands, as sometimes that seems to help. 

Finally, Pampers Swaddlers Overnights have a very mild scent, which Melissa says is “annoying when you first put it on but you appreciate it in the morning when you don’t smell pee.” That said, if your baby’s skin is very sensitive and reacts to scent, these may be one to skip.

If a diaper that’s made with more natural materials is a priority, What to Expect parents say Millie Moon Luxury Diapers are worth a try. This brand, which is exclusive to Target, boasts an impressive list of accolades: They’re fragrance-, latex,- phthalate- and lotion-free, as well as cruelty-free and vegan, certified by PETA.

Millie Moon is also one of the few diaper brands we’ve seen that are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’ve been manufactured without more than 350 harmful chemicals. They’re also wonderfully soft, so you know they’ll feel good against your baby’s skin.

Materials aside, this is a very well-made diaper that’s highly absorbent. The brand claims to have up to 12 hours of absorbency, and a number of What to Expect parents confirm that they’ve used Milie Moon diapers successfully for overnights. Parents also report that these diapers generally manage leaks and blowouts well (although it’s worth noting that there’s no pocket waistband). They’re also available in some truly beautiful prints.

“Luxury” may be in the product name, but don’t let that turn you off — the cost per diaper is about $.23, which actually makes Millie Moon one of the more affordable options on our list. What to Expect parents say they do feel luxurious and high-quality, though, especially in how soft they are.

Note: Some parents in our community say this brand tends to run large, so you may want to size down to start.

The number of disposable diapers that end up in landfills is a major environmental concern. But parents can feel a little better about using Dyper. While still a disposable, these diapers are eco-friendly, all-natural and made from bamboo — no harsh chemicals like chlorine, fragrance, latex and ink used whatsoever. Plus, Dyper purchases carbon offsets with every single order on behalf of the customer — which is a huge plus. And they’re a B corporation, which means they’re meeting high social and environmental performance standards.

But what really makes this brand so unique is the fact that they’re compostable. Dyper’s Redyper program offers you bags, boxes and even prepaid shipping labels at an added charge. The only thing left for parents to do is pack up those dirty diapers up and send them back to be professionally composted.

Parents also like that these diapers are made from materials that are gentle on baby’s skin. They’re made without alcohol, perfumes, PVC, lotions, parabens, sulphates or phthalates, and are unprinted, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free.

Although the Dyper brand has a lot of positives, one feature these diapers do not have is a pocket waistband. As a result, some parents say they’re more prone to blowouts than others you’ll find on this list. However, some reviewers say they work around this by using Dypers during the day and switching to a brand with a pocket waistband for overnights.

One of the first things parents notice about the Coterie disposable diapers is how incredibly soft they are — they almost feel like fabric! But there’s more to them than just that — they’re nontoxic and claim to absorb 25 times their weight. Parents in the What to Expect community who use this brand generally agree that they’re incredibly absorbent and do a great job preventing leaks.

The diapers, which are made from sustainable ingredients and contain no fragrances or dyes, have a very simple white design free from characters or illustrations. For those parents who can look past their rather eye-popping price tag (at $.49 per diaper, they’re the most expensive option on our list), they are about as high-end as a diaper can get, which is important considering these things spend a lot of time wrapped around your baby’s precious bottom. 

Coterie’s subscription service is great. Customers are able to save 10 percent with the brand’s auto-renew option, and you can simply text the retailer — and communicate with an actual person — to ask questions or make changes to your order. Parents also report that delivery is usually very fast and reliable.

When it comes to Coterie, the only real downside is the steep price. To make them last longer, some parents say they save their Coterie diapers for overnights since they’re so absorbent and use a more affordable brand during the day.