When you become a parent for the first time, the number of choices you have is overwhelming. Bottle or breastfed? Stay at home or use daycare? Traditional, cloth or natural diapers?
We can help with that last question. Today, many parents are opting for natural diapers. You can feel good about using them because they often have fewer lotions and fragrances and more plant-based ingredients.
Here are a few of the best natural diapers:
Why it’s great: These diapers have been recognized by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative with the SFI Certified Sourcing label. That means the fiber comes from a certified company, recycled content, or a certified forest. In addition, Earth + Eden says its diapers are made in a zero waste to landfill facility, meaning less trash is sent off. Even the designs on these diapers are printed with non-toxic, water-based inks! They’re also cruelty-free and made in the US.
These diapers last up to 12 hours and they have a hypoallergenic inner liner and a breathable outer cover that keeps your baby dry. They also have fit-grip technology, making them easy to adjust and get the right fit for your child.
Keep in mind: These don’t seem to do as well at bedtime. They work great during the day when you’re changing your baby more often though.
Good for: Parents that want great natural diapers at a low cost.
Why it’s great: The company’s “free and clear” promise ensures that diapers have no unnecessary lotions, fragrances or bleaching. In addition, these products use only FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, sustainably sourced plant-based pulp that’s gentle on our planet’s forests. Both gluten free and tree-nut free, Seventh Generation also claims that it’s both the first and only diaper to be USDA Certified Biobased, using 30% biobased – aka renewable – ingredients.
These diapers have a FreshAIR breathable layer that keeps your baby’s skin dry and soft leg cuffs that work to prevent leaks. They offer 12-hour protection and work great overnight. Plus, they’re cute. Each package of diapers contains two prints.
Keep in mind: These are not quite as soft as some of the other options.
Good for: Parents looking for a biobased diaper that lasts 12 hours.
Why it’s great: More people are turning to bamboo for its sustainable qualities. So it makes sense that Andy Pandy wanted to incorporate it into a diaper. Bamboo is known for being both breathable and absorbent – and, it’s naturally hypoallergenic – making it safe for your little ones that need to avoid corn, wheat and starch. According to Andy Pandy, their diapers are 86.5% biodegradable. Plus, this organization donates proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – so you can feel good about your purchase.
The best part is that these diapers keep your baby’s skin dry for up to 12 hours. They also have an aloe lining that helps to soothe and/or prevent rashes. It even has a strip to visually indicate wetness. Not sure whether to try these diapers? The company offers a full refund with its no-leak guarantee.
Keep in mind: These seem to be wider than some of the other brands, which may get in the way of movement when your baby starts getting more active.
Good for: Parents that want a biodegradable diaper.
Why it’s great: Dyper offers plant-based, sustainable, and compostable diapers. Like the previous option, these diapers are made from responsibly sourced bamboo. They’re also unprinted, unscented, and hypoallergenic. They don’t contain any harmful ingredients and are latex, chlorine, phthalates, and PVC free.
Bamboo is incredibly soft and absorbent, which means your baby will feel comfortable and dry in these diapers. Despite their softness, these are also very sturdy and durable.
Keep in mind: These do seem to run a little large, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing the size to purchase.
Good for: Parents that want a quality, eco-friendly diaper.
Why it’s great: Probably the most well known of the bunch, Honest helped bring natural diapers into the mainstream. The TrueAbsorb technology within the diaper allows it to hold about 17 times its weight. The sides are super stretchy, which allows your baby to move as much as they need, while staying protected. Plus, these have a wetness indicator, which is usually missing in most natural diapers. These also come in adorable designs, with many options to choose from.
Honest says its diapers are made with more plant-based materials than any other brands – and that includes the use of sustainably harvested fluff pulp. Honest is continuously working to improve upon its own design – with more renewable resources and plant-derived ingredients.
Keep in mind: These run a little small, so if your baby is borderline it’s best to size up.
Good for: Parents that want a natural diaper with an adorable print.
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Why it’s great: These diapers are hypoallergenic and won’t irritate your baby’s skin. They’re certified chemical free and free of any harmful ingredients. Natural Blossom continues to search for ways to create even more eco-friendly diapers too!
These diapers fit just like underwear and are the most comfortable for your baby to wear. They have built-in protection against leaks that keeps moisture away from your baby’s skin. Plus, they’re extra soft. The flexible cuffs around the legs allow your child to move as needed, while still protecting from leaks. They’re also super slim and lightweight.
Keep in mind: These have a broader weight range within each size, so it may be difficult to figure out which size to get.
Good for: Parents that want the most comfortable, natural diaper.
Why it’s great: Pampers has partnered with a member of the Cotton LEADS program for its Pure Protection diapers – meaning that the material is sustainably produced with plenty of government and industry oversight. Pampers uses internal and external experts when testing its diapers, to make sure they’re just right for your baby! Pampers is one of the leading brands that hospitals supply new families with. You might like the idea of staying with the same brand for years if it works well for you!
These diapers are soft and gentle on your baby’s skin, while still offering maximum leak protection. They offer the longest protection, making them perfect for overnight. Plus, they have a wetness indicator.
Keep in mind: These are a little pricey, but that’s expected with a well-known brand.
Good for: Those who feel better about a familiar brand. Pampers has been around since the ’60s!
Why it’s great: Bambo diapers originated in Denmark, one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. The Danes have made sustainability more of a priority than most countries – so they might be onto something with these diapers! Free of chemicals, these diapers are also considered commercially compostable – meaning they would need to go to a composting facility.
These diapers are very soft on your baby’s skin and are fully breathable, keeping your baby’s skin dry. Bambo diapers are ideal for overnights, and they even have the wetness indicator on them for easy checks.
Keep in mind: These don’t hold as much, so they’re not ideal for overnight.
Good for: Babies with allergies.
Why it’s great: What can’t bamboo do? In this case, it’s used as both a topsheet and backsheet to the diaper. In addition to being one of the softest diapers out there, bamboo is known for being more absorbent. Eco Boom says bamboo fabric absorbs 70% more than cotton fabrics do! It claims a 61% biodegradability rate of 75 days. Plus, the packaging is considered biodegradable!
And your baby might thank you for the temperature control: These diapers stay cool in the summer and warm up in the winter. They’re also super flexible, allowing you to get the perfect fit for your child.
Keep in mind: The tabs are the stickiest, which means that curious children may be able to get them open by themselves if they’re not wearing pants to cover them.
Good for: Those interested in sustainability: Eco Boom says bamboo grows up to 30x faster than trees.
Why it’s great: Babyganics makes all things baby related, but they do it in a natural, plant-based way. These diapers are just one of the many products they offer that are completely chemical free. They’re also fragrance, latex, and petroleum based lotion free.
Despite that, these are ultra-absorbent with a triple-layer core and leak protection. They’re also soft and extra thin for maximum comfort. They even have a wetness indicator to take the guesswork out of things. Plus, these diapers come in large packs, giving you the most bang for your buck.
Keep in mind: These don’t really mask odor, which is good because it means it’s chemical free, but it does mean more frequent changes due to the smell.
Good for: Parents that want to buy in bulk at a great price.
Why it’s great: These diapers are made with non-GMO cotton and all natural ingredients. They’re fragrance free, chemical free, and hypoallergenic, making them perfect for babies with sensitive skin. Plus, they’re sustainably sourced. Happy Little Camper also includes aloe and vitamin E in their diapers to help prevent and/or soothe irritated skin.
These also have an ultra-absorbent core that helps to keep your baby feeling dry, while also preventing leaks or blowouts. They also have cute prints available and come in a range of sizes.
Keep in mind: These are a little tight on chubby legs, so you may need to size up.
Good for: Parents that want natural diapers that are super absorbent.
The Earth + Eden Diapers is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
Having a baby is already overwhelming, so when you get to the diaper aisle in a store, it can almost be even more difficult to have so many options. You need to decide on a brand, figure out the right size, find out how absorbent it is and even learn more about its environmental impact. Though you’ll discover that everyone you know has an opinion on the topic, only your family can decide what’s best. You may need to try a few kinds to determine what works best for your baby.
Natural diapers are those that may be free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), lotions, and fragrances, which might be more biodegradable and may be made at a facility working to reduce emissions. It’s a good idea to read the ingredients on the packages of diapers so you can get a better idea of what you want – and don’t want – to put on your little one.
If you’re referring to manufacturers that leave chemicals out of diapers, then any of the above-mentioned products should work for you. They are made without toxic chemicals or fragrances that your baby could breathe in.
Non-toxic diapers do tend to come at a slightly higher cost than traditional diapers. That being said, like most products, you can still find a range of costs within the natural diaper category. Compare the price per diaper at your store, and you may find some natural diapers are only pennies more than the traditional ones.
It depends on what’s most important to you and what you put on your baby! While some parents have to prioritize cost or access, you may decide that putting a natural diaper on your baby is your No. 1 priority. Some parents believe that the chemicals in traditional diapers cause rashes or other harm, and they want to avoid that as much as possible. Others are concerned about their environmental footprint, wanting as many sustainable ingredients as possible. What you decide will be right for your baby.
In the end, what matters most is a dry, happy baby. But the lack of chlorine, lotions, fragrances, dyes, latex and harsh chemicals in natural diapers can give us a little more peace of mind.
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