Best Overnight Diapers For Adults
People who take care of other adults with special needs are some of the most selfless on the face of this planet, and if you are one of them, you have our full respect because it is NOT easy!
It’s an endeavor full of unique challenges, one of which is night-time incontinence. Realizing that a loved one is incontinent and that they need specialized products just to function is not an easy fact to face. When shopping for incontinence products, you might feel like you are robbing your loved one of their pride, freedom, and dignity.
Well, we’re happy to let you know that the market for adult diapers inst what it used to be. There are tons of great companies out there making products for special-needs adults that help them feel comfortable and dignified.
In fact, there are so many excellent incontinence products out there that it can be a little overwhelming trying to find the right ones. So how do you know which adult diapers are best for overnight use? Well, we’re about to find out.
We are going to discuss some different types of adult diapers, what to look for when choosing one, and our top picks for the best adult overnight diapers that you can have discreetly shipped to your door via Amazon.
What to Look for in an Adult Overnight Diaper
Absorbency level
Even before you pick a size for an adult overnight diaper, you need to determine the amount of absorbency that you’re going to need. In the general adult, diapers come in three different absorbency levels, light, medium, and maximum.
If your loved one only has the occasional bed-wetting accident, you might be able to get by with a light level of absorbency. However, if they have little to no control of their bladder or bowels while they sleep, a maximum absorbency diaper is probably your best bet.
- Light absorbency diapers can usually hold up to 12 ounces of liquid.
- Medium absorbency diapers can usually hold up to 20 ounces of liquid.
- Diapers labeled maximum absorbency typically can hold upwards of 24 ounces of liquid.
When your shopping, pay close attention to the product description. Some diapers are designed only to handle bladder incontinence, so if your loved one struggles to control their bowels during at night, you’re going to need a diaper built to handle it.
Size
It may seem obvious that you need to buy the correct size diaper, but trust me, it’s easier said than done. Like any piece of clothing, how a diaper fits varies from brand to brand. Usually, adult diapers come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra large. You can find a size chart in the product description on Amazon, but for some reason, it’s not listed there; you should be able to find it on the manufacturer’s website.
Fit
When testing out how a diaper fits, don’t just settle for “that’ll do.” A diaper that doesn’t fit right is a recipe for a mess. Whenever trying out a new style or brand of diaper, we strongly recommend purchasing a few different sizes. It may cost a little bit extra in the beginning, but we promise it’s worth it.
How should a diaper fit? A diaper should be snug but not tight. The elastic bands at the waist and around each leg should be just tight enough to fit two fingers. Any looser, and the contents of the diaper could spill out, any tighter, and it can cause pain and discomfort.
When changing a diaper, if you notice red marks from the diaper on your loved ones’ waste or thighs, you probably need to go up a size.
Style
For you, as a caretaker, the style of diaper that you choose to use is going to make the biggest difference in terms of ease of use. There are three main types of overnight diapers on the market right now: Pull-ups, briefs, and reusable cloth diapers.
- Pull-ups, or incontinence underwear, are diapers that your adult child or loved one can “pull up” as if they were a pair of normal underwear. Pull-ups work well for bedwetters who have a little more independence with their bathroom needs.
- Briefs- Like diapers designed for babies, brief diapers have tabs that allow you to adjust how the diaper fits, guaranteeing you a tight seal. Briefs often offer maximum absorbency, making them ideal if your loved one completely depends on you to change them.
- Reusable cloth diapers – reusable cloth diapers are basically reusable versions of brief diapers. After the diaper is soiled, instead of throwing it out, you can simply toss it in the wash and use it again the next day. There are two types of reusable cloth diapers, all in one and hybrid. All-in-one diapers have built-in liners, and hybrids do not. So keep in mind that the diapers you’ve picked out might need a few extra supplies to work correctly.
The Best Overnight Diapers for Adults
Now that you know what to look for in a diaper, it’s time to start shopping! To help make things a little easier for you, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite overnight adult diapers, based on style and absorbency level.
Best Overnight Incontinence Underwear for Men
Depend FIT-Flex Incontinence Underwear Men
Style: Pull-up underwear
Absorbency Level: maximum
For years Depend has been one of the most trusted names in adult incontinence products. As a whole, they are known for their affordability, comfort, and high absorbency levels. However, Depend has taken these three features to the next level with the FIT-Flex Incontinence underwear.
Their “DryShield Technology” allows each pair of incontinence underwear to hold upwards of 25 ounces of liquid. At the same time, the “unbelievably soft, cotton-like fabric ensures that your loved one will be comfortable all night long.
What caregivers say:
“For us, this brand works better than any other. We use it for our son who has autism and wets every night. I always use a disposable sheet protector in case of leaks That rarely happens.” – Christina
Best Overnight Incontinence Underwear for Women
Depend FIT-Flex Incontinence Underwear for Women
Style: Pull-up underwear
Absorbency Level: maximum
We love Depends overnight incontinence underwear so much that we had to put it on this list twice! Only this time, we have the ladies in mind. Depend offers their best-selling, pull-up style diapers both for men and women. Many customers claim that the FIT-Flex diapers are the closest you can get to regular underwear in an overnight diaper.
Just as a side note, while shopping on Amazon, you might find FIT-Flex incontinence underwear “specifically designed” for overnight use. However, in reality, this is just a marketing strategy used to charge more for a re-branded product. So be sure to check the description to know exactly which version you are buying.
What caregivers say: “Unfortunately I have several physical problems and one of them is lack of bladder control. So I find myself needing to use these depends 24 seven. I have tried other products but they just are not the same. I have found depends to be the most reliable product.”
-butterflybeth
Best Adult Overnight Brief Diapers
Style: Brief
Absorbency Level: Maximum
Unlike other adult brief style diapers, which can have an unnatural “plastic-y” feel, FitRight Ultra diapers prioritize comfort and breathability. “The 4-D-Core” fabric helps to wick away sweat and moisture, leaving the skin cool and dry.
Another cool feature of these diapers is a moisture-sensing indicator strip that changes color when the diaper is soiled. While not everyone needs it, moisture indicators can be a helpful tool for teaching adult non-verbal children when they need to be changed or use the bathroom.
What caregivers say:
” I have tried at least 10 different diapers, both briefs and underwear. Some offer great coverage and absorbency but are bulky, plastic back is uncomfortable and sweaty. Others won’t last overnight. This one is most comfortable, the paper like backing allows skin to breath, the little skirts inside hold stools without leaking, and best of all the tapes can be readjusted multiple times. The waistline is wide enough and the length is long enough so that the diaper does not move down to below waist. Absorbency is sufficient for whole night. It is the best brief type diaper for my husband.” – joan of New Jersey
Best Overnight Reusable Cloth Diapers
Healifty Washable Adult Cloth Diapers
Style: Reusable cloth diaper
Absorbency Level: Depends on the insert you choose
If you’re looking to ditch the disposable diapers in favor of an easy-to-use, eco-friendly alternative, look no further than “Healifty Washable Adult Cloth Diapers.” These diapers feature a cotton/polyester liner that is soft and comfortable, as well as two elastic velcro tabs that keep the diaper in place and leak-free all night long.
Keep in mind that these diapers do not come with included inserts, so you will need to purchase them separately. Check out our top picks for reusable diaper inserts here.
What caregivers say:
“My mom suffered a massive stroke, and now suffers from complete incontinence. We are a budget family so, in lieu of the disposable diapers we had been using, I went in search of something reusable. There’s also the planet to consider with disposables. Although it’s absolutely necessary to use a disposable pad to protect my mother’s skin from overflow, these have been a perfect alternative to disposable diapers. My mother says they are far more comfortable, and caregivers love them for ease of on/off. They wash beautifully. So happy I found this alternative. Adult cloth diapers that work are *really* hard to find.” – Sara’sLyrics
Finding the Best Adult Overnight Diaper
Don’t be afraid to play around with different styles and sizes. It’s unlikely that you’ll find the perfect overnight diaper on your first try. So be patient and flexible. You can also talk to other caregivers to see what works well for them. Our #autismarmy Facebook group is a great place to connect hundreds of people caring for special needs children and adults.
