Which Diapers Absorb the Best?

Photo by @plantifultaste

 

Diapers need to do so much more than just catch waste. They must fit comfortably, not contain harmful substances, and should not leak. They should be gentle on the child's skin, easy to use, and ideally also visually appealing. The question of absorbency is often raised. This ensures that the clothing stays dry and the diaper does not need to be changed constantly. But which diapers have the best absorbency? And how much liquid can they absorb?

How much liquid can a diaper absorb? A standard disposable diaper can absorb about 400 ml of urine. A cloth diaper can easily match this absorbency or even exceed it.

In this article, you will learn which diaper has the best absorbency. Additionally, we will show you what other qualities a good diaper should have and which diapers possess all these qualities.

What should a diaper be able to do?

A diaper should quickly and safely catch your child's waste and thus protect their clothing. However, to ensure this, you should closely examine when purchasing diapers. We will tell you what you should pay attention to when buying diapers:

The right size and fit

A common reason for leaking diapers is the wrong size. No matter how well and quickly the diaper absorbs, if it doesn't fit the child properly, leaks are inevitable. Typically, the size is determined based on your child's weight. While disposable diapers are divided into up to seven different sizes, cloth diaper manufacturers usually limit themselves to two growing sizes: Newborn and One-Size.

In addition to size, the fit of the diaper is also important. A diaper provides good and secure wearing comfort only if it fits optimally to your child's body.

Besides size, you should therefore pay attention to flexible leg cuffs. For maximum protection, choose diapers with double leg cuffs. The closure should also be freely adjustable so that it neither presses on the belly nor leaves too much air between the skin and the diaper.

A comfortable fit

Your baby spends the early part of their life predominantly in diapers. For this reason, it is essential that they fit comfortably. Besides the points already mentioned, you should ensure that neither buttons nor hard closures irritate your baby's skin.

Photo by @isabelplett

Gentle on the skin

When purchasing diapers, you should take a critical look at the ingredients. Disposable diapers, in particular, are often criticized because the so-called super absorber inside the diaper is made of pure chemicals. Here you will find an article about the harmful ingredients in disposable diapers and corresponding alternatives.

Baby skin is best preserved when no chemicals are present, and the use of colorants and fragrances is avoided. Diapers often contain lotions that can permanently affect your baby's skin. Air circulation also plays a significant role here. While disposable diapers continuously create a warm and humid environment, most cloth diapers are significantly more breathable and ensure a healthy diaper climate. This way, you prevent skin irritations and diaper dermatitis and strengthen the natural protective barrier of the skin.

Sustainability

Sustainability, waste reduction, and ecological footprint hold significant importance today. Did you know that about one ton of diaper waste is generated per child? And not only that: some ingredients in common disposable diapers cannot be completely decomposed and end up as hazardous waste after burning.

We are still far from having 100% biodegradable diapers. A single disposable diaper takes up to 500 years to decompose. And even then, so-called microplastics remain, which sustainably harm nature and our planet.

Besides some partially-degradable diapers, cloth diapers can definitely score points in terms of sustainability. They can be reused repeatedly and even passed on to other children. By also avoiding traditional wet wipes, you can completely avoid waste when diapering. In our dedicated article, you will learn all about the sustainability of cloth diapers.

Easy handling

Sometimes you need to change a diaper quickly. Children tend to become more impatient as they age, as they prefer to explore the world rather than lie on the changing table. Therefore, easy handling of the diaper is essential. If you have to fold parts of the diaper, position them, or fasten them laboriously, it doesn't help anyone. Even if grandparents or friends want to change your child's diaper, its use should be as self-explanatory as possible.

Absorbency and leak protection

However, the top priority for many parents is the diaper's absorbency and leak protection. Urine should be quickly absorbed, and the diaper should last overnight. The absorbency depends on the material of the diaper, but we will go into more detail on that later. Leak protection primarily involves snug leg cuffs and an overall well-fitting diaper. Additionally, disposable diapers often feature a gusset designed to prevent overflow. For cloth diapers, aside from the correct fit, it's all about the combination of the right fabrics.

Photo by @ammenmaerchen

So, which diaper has the best absorbency?

As previously mentioned, the absorbency of a diaper depends on the absorbent material. So-called super absorbers in disposable diapers can absorb several times their own weight in liquid. However, it is important to know that for tests, only water is typically used.

While a standard disposable diaper can now absorb up to a full liter of liquid in the form of water, it averages only about 400 ml when measured with urine. This is partly due to the salt content. Urine has a salt content of 0.9%, which challenges the super absorber and causes it to absorb liquid less effectively.

If a liter of urine (or at least a liquid with a similar composition) were used in tests, the disposable diaper would leak mercilessly.

Do cloth diapers absorb better?

Cloth diapers impress with excellent absorbency, but this can vary significantly depending on the material. However, as a rule of thumb, a cloth diaper can easily match the absorbency of a disposable diaper and even exceed it. For a basic understanding, we provide you with an overview of the different fabrics used in cloth diapers:

1. Cotton

Cotton is considered very durable and tear-resistant. This natural fiber can be easily washed at 95 °C and kept hygienically clean. Cotton is also very gentle on the skin and offers a low allergy potential. Especially important for the diaper: Cotton is breathable, air-permeable, and absorbent.

2. Bamboo viscose

The original bamboo cellulose fibers cannot be separated, combed, and spun, which is why they are viscose fabrics, meaning natural synthetics. Viscose from bamboo cellulose fibers is particularly absorbent and breathable. It is about three to four times more absorbent than cotton and feels very soft on the skin. The only downside: Bamboo viscose dries slowly.

3. Hemp

Hemp is a high-quality natural product with a surprisingly good ecological balance. Fabrics made from hemp are very skin-friendly, have microbial properties, and prevent the development of bacteria and thus odor formation. Diaper products with hemp usually consist of a hemp-cotton blend. While fabrics made from hemp absorb rather slowly, they can absorb a tremendous amount of liquid and are therefore often combined with other fabrics or inserts. Here, they are used as the bottommost layer, known as boosters.

4. Microfiber

The purely synthetic, soft, and dimensionally stable fiber absorbs quickly and provides a pleasant skin feeling. The downside: Microfiber stores liquid very poorly, instead passing it on or releasing it under pressure. Therefore, microfiber should always be used with a material that stores liquid.

5. PUL

PUL stands for Polyurethane layered, meaning polyurethane-coated, and describes the process in which fabric is coated with polyurethane. PUL is often used for the outer shell of cloth diapers, as the material is simultaneously waterproof, water-repellent, and breathable.

Optimizing absorbency of cloth diapers

Before using, you should wash all textile products at least once at 30 °C to remove manufacturing residues. For absorbent materials, the full absorbency develops only after multiple washes.

Most absorbent materials reach full absorbency after approximately the 6th wash. You can, of course, use them before this point, but you will not be able to exploit the full absorbent performance. It is also important to use the appropriate detergent and correct washing routine. As a small help, we've summarized everything important about washing cloth diapers for you. To maintain full absorbent performance, the fabrics must dry thoroughly between washing cycles.

Photo by @isabelplett

Judes – Simple, absorbent, gentle on the skin

Our goal was to develop the simplest cloth diaper in the world with the best absorbency, and with Judes, we have achieved that very well. As easy as a disposable diaper and at the same time much more sustainable.

You can get Judes in two sizes, covering the entire diapering period:

• Size 1: from birth up to a weight of 8 kg

• Size 2: from 7 kg up to a weight of 15 kg

They consist of an inner diaper made of 100% organic cotton and a cover made of high-quality PUL. Our diapers are soft, extremely absorbent, and fit perfectly to your child's body shape. Flexible leg cuffs and the innovative Velcro closure ensure a secure and comfortable fit of the diaper.

If you use our washcloths made of 100% organic cotton instead of traditional wet wipes, you can completely avoid waste when diapering.

With our absorbent booster inserts, you can make Judes even more absorbent and outshine any disposable diaper. Our diapers easily last for 12 hours without leaks and ensure a pleasant diaper climate. We completely avoid the use of chemicals and have thus developed a gentle, simple, and safe product. There are many more reasons why Judes is good for your baby's health.

Please share your experiences in the comments: Which diapers convince you, and what must a good diaper be able to do?