An absorbent pad useful as a diaper insert to augment the absorbent capacity of a disposable or non-disposable diaper, which comprises two superposed fluid pervious layers and a liquid absorbent layer disposed between the liquid pervious layers. The absorbent pad first receives liquid excrement from the wearer and stores this in the absorbent layer. As the absorbent capacity of the absorbent pad is reached, liquid migrates from the absorbent pad into the absorbent region of the primary diaper thus increasing the total capacity of the system.