Baby blowouts are inevitable. While some mess is unavoidable, choosing the right diaper can reduce or eliminate messes on clothes, in car seats, and on baby blankets. If your baby is prone to blowouts, you’ll need something that has good absorbency to soak up the mess and strong elastic to trap everything in the diaper. You’ll find our recommendations for the best diapers for blowouts below.
Best Diapers For Blowouts
All of these diapers are hypoallergenic and the Bambo Nature and Honest Co. diapers are both ECO-friendly. Unlike the Honest Co. diapers, the Bambo Nature diapers are free of plant extracts.
Pampers Pure Diapers
Pampers Pure Diapers are an eco-friendly choice that are gentle on your baby’s bottom. They also absorb very well which is essential for managing blowouts.
This diaper is made from premium cotton and soft, plant-based fibers. It also has layers of wood pulp on the inside and a mineral-based odor absorber that locks away wetness and odor for up to 12 hours.
In addition to being incredibly absorbent, Pampers Pure diapers are eco-friendly and gentle on your baby’s skin. They are manufactured using renewable energy and are made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. These hypoallergenic diapers are also made without using chlorine, fragrance, lotions, parabens, and 26 other allergens identified by the European Union.
Pampers Pure diapers have stretchy waistband and leg openings, which is important for getting the right fit. The sticky tabs are also easy to work with. The tabs are a little scratchy on the adhesive side. You’ll want to be sure to stick them all the way on the diaper because it can leave scratches on your baby’s skin if they are wiggling around a lot.
Pros
- Uses sustainably sourced wood pulp to absorb wetness
- Locks away the moisture really well
- Eco-friendly option made with renewable energy
- No lotions, fragrance, parabens, chlorine, or other allergens
- Hypoallergenic
- Stretchy legs and waistband
- Mineral-based odor absorber
Cons
- Tabs are scratchy
Mama Bear Best Fit Diapers
Mama Bear Best Fit Diapers offer the flexible fit that you want in a baby diaper for blowouts. It is also available in two designs; crisp white or cute bear characters.
This diaper has tabs like other baby diapers, however, it also has a stretchy waistband in the back that helps you get a tight fit without your baby being uncomfortable. These diapers also have elastic around the legs, which seals well to prevent leaks. When your baby does get wet, there is a wetness indicator so you know they need to be changed. Changing your baby’s diaper frequently also prevents the diaper from getting too full, which causes blowouts.
Inside the diaper, a quilted layer traps moisture and pulls it away from the skin. This keeps baby skin dry and reduces diaper messes. It also helps reduce irritation from wetness. Additionally, Mama Bear diapers are hypoallergenic and do not contain elemental chlorine, fragrances, nor natural rubber latex.
One thing to note about the tabs on these diapers is that they are very hard to un-stick. You may even have to tear them, which can make more of a mess when your baby has a blowout. The diapers also tend to sag a little when they start to get full, which makes them more likely to leak.
Pros
- Available in two designs
- Hypoallergenic
- Free of chlorine, fragrance, and latex
- Quilted layer to absorb moisture
- Elastic around back and legs for a better fit
- Wetness indicator
Cons
- Tabs are hard to un-stick
- Sag when they start to fill up
The Honest Company Club Box Diapers
The Honest Company Club Box Diapers are great for blowouts because of the True Absorb technology that lets the diaper hold more than 17x its own weight in fluid. They also come in a wide range of cute prints and patterns for boys and girls.
These diapers fit well because of the soft, stretchy side panels and elastic waistband. They also have sure-fit leg cuffs with an elastic that helps prevent leaks. One thing to note about the fit is that these diapers run a little small. They have a slim design and babies seem to move to the next size sooner than they would with other brands.
Inside the diaper, several layers of absorbent material pull moisture away from the skin. Rather than using the same polymer as leading brands, plant-based fluff pulp absorbs wetness. This keeps your baby’s bottom dry and helps reduce some of the mess if your baby is prone to blowouts. However, it also makes it hard to tell if your baby is wet sometimes because there is no wetness indicator on these diapers.
In addition to using plant-based absorbent material, these are hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. These diapers are free of lotions, fragrances, latex, and chlorine. They have also been dermatologist-tested for irritation.
The topmost layer of the diaper is made from a soft material that won’t irritate or rub your baby’s skin. This breathable layer also encourages dryness. Even though this diaper is soft on the inside, the outside of the diaper can feel a little rough. You’ll want to be sure the diaper stays on properly so the rougher parts don’t chafe your baby’s legs or sides.
Pros
- Lots of cute prints and patterns
- Biodegradable and eco-friendly
- Several layers of absorbent fluff
- Soft on the inside of the diaper
- Stretchy side panels
- Elastic legs and waistband
- Very absorbent
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Run small
- Outside of the diaper feels rough
- No wetness indicator
Huggies Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Huggies Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers are designed especially for babies with sensitive skin. They are free of many allergens, super soft, and have stretchy elastic around the waistband to improve fit and help prevent blowouts.
Huggies Special Delivery diapers feature Huggies leak lock protection which pulls moisture away from your baby’s skin. These have great absorbency as well, which helps stop leaks and irritation. The outermost layer of each diaper is very soft and stays dry because of leak-lock.
There is also elastic around the back and legs of these diapers. Not only does this make your baby more comfortable, but it also provides a more reliable seal that protects against blowouts.
These diapers are designed with sensitive skin in mind. In addition to being hypoallergenic, the diapers are dermatologist-tested and free of fragrance, lotion, parabens, and elemental chlorine beach. They are also made with 23% plant-based materials like sugarcane.
Something to note is that while this is a hypoallergenic diaper, it is not as “green” as other alternatives. These, like other Huggies diapers, are not biodegradable, so they’re not the best choice if you’re looking for a green alternative. These diapers are also more expensive than regular Huggies (and many other diaper brands), so they aren’t the most cost-effective option either.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested
- Free of parabens, chlorine, lotion, and fragrance
- Stretchy elastic around legs and waistband
- Leak lock protection
- Soft outer layer
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Not biodegradable
- Expensive
Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Baby Diapers
Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Baby Diapers feature an ultra-absorbent design. Even though they are absorbent, they have a thinner design than some other diapers which allows them to provide a better fit for your baby’s body.
The materials used in this diaper are eco-friendly, which is great for parents who are worried about leaving an environmental footprint. These diapers are also great for sensitive skin because there are no harmful chemicals and they are free of chlorine and other brighteners, PVC, heavy metals, phthalates, and other contaminants. They are FSC-certified and have the Nordic Ecolabel seal. Bambo Nature diapers have also been dermatologist-tested.
In addition to an absorbent core that pulls moisture away from your baby, these diapers have textile-like sheets on the top and back of the diaper. This super-soft outer layer is gentle against your baby’s skin and keeps them feeling dry. It also helps that the layers of this diaper are very breathable and despite them being absorbent, the diaper is thin.
The side panels of these diapers are stretchy, however, they don’t have the same elasticity as some of the other options. They are still flexible around the legs, though.
Pros
- Stretchy side panels
- Eco-friendly
- Made using sustainable ingredients
- Free of allergens, parabens, heavy metals, and phthalates
- Very absorbent
- Soft top and bottom sheet
- Elastic around the legs
Cons
- Not as flexible around the waist as other options
Diapers for Blowouts Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
How We Selected Diapers For Blowouts
Absorbency
Blowouts happen when your baby’s diaper isn’t absorbing enough of the mess. Then, it moves around or pops out of the diaper. While blowouts may not be completely preventable, an absorbent diaper reduces the chance of blowouts.
Most diapers are designed with layers of absorbent materials that pull liquid in. Usually, a type of fluff made from wood pulp or other absorbent materials are used. Many leading brands also use super absorbent polymers (SAPs). Unfortunately, SAPs do not break down easily so more eco-friendly brands use wood fluff pulp instead.
Usually, the number of materials and where they are positioned are going to affect absorbency the most. Some diapers have channels that pull moisture in. Others might have absorbent layers in different places; they may be more concentrated in the front for boys because they pee more upward than girls.
In addition to overall absorbency, you’ll want to consider how the moisture is absorbed. In addition to absorbent materials, some diapers have channels that pull moisture away from your baby’s skin. These are especially nice for babies that suffer from diaper irritation or rash since the channels help keep skin dry. Usually, a top layer is added to put a breathable layer between the wet layers and your baby’s skin. You’ll want this to be soft since it’s on your baby’s sensitive areas.
Adjustability and Overall Fit
One of the reasons it’s so difficult to prevent blowouts in babies is because many diapers don’t have an adjustable fit. Adjustable tabs (that make the fit tighter around your baby’s waist), won’t help if the shape of the diaper doesn’t fit your baby’s body. For my oldest, LUVS diapers worked best but my youngest had the worst blowouts in them. We switched to Huggies for him, which was a better fit because of his body shape.
When you’re trying to prevent blowouts, it’s most important that the diaper seals properly around the mess. Blowouts happen wherever the liquid can get out. While this happens up the back for many babies, blowouts can also happen around your child’s legs. If you are dealing with blowouts around the legs, you’ll want to choose a diaper with elastic around the leg holes. The elastic is comfortable but still provides a tight seal against messes. For blowouts up your baby’s back, look for an elastic waistband or consider a diaper extender.
Other Considerations
In addition to absorbency and fit, we considered factors like overall price, the materials used, and how likely the diapers are to irritate sensitive skin. While these are not factors as you choose the best diaper for blowouts, they are things that you’ll want to consider as you make your choice.
FAQs – Diapers for Preventing Blowouts
How do I know if my baby’s diaper is the right size?
Even though your baby’s diaper doesn’t cause blowouts, fitting the diaper properly will help seal in some (or all) of the mess. Diapers are usually sold according to your baby’s weight and then you can adjust the waistband to get a tight seal, trapping any messes inside.
The right size diaper is going to fit your baby well. It should appear aligned with their body and sit below their belly button. You should also be able to run your finger around the sides and the leg holes, to be sure that it isn’t too tight. (You can find out more about how a diaper should fit here).
Something to keep in mind is that all babies have a unique shape. The size of your baby’s waist and thighs may affect how certain brands fit. Don’t be afraid to switch brands until you find one that fits.
How do you prevent diaper blowouts?
The best way to prevent diaper blowouts is by being sure your baby’s diaper fits properly. You’ll also want to be sure the waistband is tight (but not too tight) so there is a seal around your little one’s legs. Choosing diapers with ruched leg holes can also help because they’ll offer a customized fit without being too tight on the legs.
Once your child is eating foods, their poop should become a little more solid by eating crackers, toast, bananas, and other starchy foods. However, you’ll want to be careful about offering too much; baby constipation can be painful for your little one. You should also limit dairy consumption since dairy can lead to frequent loose stools.
Finally, diaper covers or diaper extenders may be a good choice if you are struggling with finding a diaper that fits your baby perfectly. Diaper covers add an extra layer of absorbency between your baby’s diaper and their clothes, while diaper extenders clip on the back of the diaper and make it longer. These are especially useful because baby blowouts often come out the back of the diaper.
Why is my baby having so many blowouts?
There is no diaper that will 100% protect your baby from blowouts. While using a snug diaper and ensuring it’s the right size can help, it is hard to get the perfect fit on a wriggling baby. Once you are sure that you have the right size diaper, be sure the tabs are pulled tight enough to create a seal around the back of the diaper. Being sure that your baby’s diaper is absorbent enough can also help contain the mess.
In some cases, dietary changes (or the use of antibiotics) can change your baby’s stools. If you are concerned, document how often your baby is having messy bowel movements and talk to their doctor. This is especially true if it is causing severe redness or irritation, including open sores or bleeding from a rash.