The present invention provides an absorbent layer prepared from an absorbent nonwoven web having a first plurality of slits with a first orientation and a second plurality of slits with a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation. The first plurality of slits and the second plurality of slits are at least partially through the absorbent nonwoven web, and the second plurality of slits at least partially intersects the first plurality of slits in a manner such that where the first and second plurality of slits intersect the first and second plurality of slits combine to form apertures in the absorbent nonwoven web. The present invention also provides an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top layer, a liquid-impermeable backing layer, and the absorbent layer of the present invention positioned between the top layer and the backing layer. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the absorbent layer.
