Is there any modern parenting invention more important than the disposable diaper? We can’t think of one!
Disposable diapers save you from wasting time, save you from extra stress, and save you from stinky laundry loads. You don’t have to worry about scooping poop, deep cleaning, or carrying around a dirty diaper on the go.
But how do you choose the best disposable diapers? What size does your baby need? Do they need to wear different diapers at night? What about treating a nasty diaper rash?
We’ll tackle these questions and more, in our in-depth disposable diaper reviews and buying guide.
- Environment and baby skin friendly
- Provides ultimate hydration
- Form-fitting design
- Protects your baby’s belly button
- Quilted liners
- With wetness indicator strip
- High-quality diapers
- 20% off with Amazon Prime
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Umbilical cord cutout
- Impressive absorbency
- Hypoallergenic and chemical-free
- Clinically proven gentle on skin
- Soft quilted liner
- Absorbent, moisture-wicking core
- Uses organic plant-based materials
- Meets rigorous environmental standards
- Chemical-free
- Double grip strips
- Keeps baby dry and comfy
- Contoured fit allows flexibility
- Only 12 cents per diaper
- Comes in a huge box
- Great value for money
- Ultra absorbent, ultra-thin lining
- Eco-friendly, sustainable materials
- Contoured, stretchy design
- Helps prevent blowouts
- Easy to use and apply
- Made of comfy & safe materials
- Our Top Picks
- Product Reviews & Ratings
- The Anatomy of a Disposable Diaper
- What About Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers?
- Choosing the Best Diapers
- How to Find the Right Size Diaper
- How to Save Money on Diapers
- How to Prevent Diaper Rash
- How to Dispose of Diapers
- 3 Diapering Essentials You Need
- Disposable Diaper FAQs
The Best Disposable Diaper Reviews of 2024
Now that we’ve gone over a few disposable diaper essentials, let’s take a closer look at some of our favorites currently on the market!
Andy Pandy Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers
Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers
Save the environment and your baby’s sensitive skin with Andy Pandy’s premium disposable diapers. They’re made of bamboo and are 100 percent free of chlorine, alcohol, preservatives, fragrances, and other chemicals.
This means they provide as low an impact on the environment as possible while also being super soft and durable. If your baby is especially prone to rashes or dry skin, they’re also naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial. There is even an aloe liner to keep your baby’s skin hydrated and prevent itchiness.
Bamboo is also a good material for breathability, allowing air to circulate to keep your baby’s skin dry and prevent irritation.
But how do they work at stopping leaks and blowouts? The 3D shape of the diaper was created to be especially form-fitting and combined with the flexible side panels and elastic waistband, the mess stays right where it’s supposed to be.
Pros
- Bamboo material is good for the environment and your baby’s skin.
- Aloe liner provides ultimate hydration.
- Form-fitting designed prevents leaks and blowouts.
Cons
- They are not designed to be used overnight.
- Sizes tend to run large.
Our Ratings
User Experience
Pampers Swaddlers Newborn Diapers
Best Diapers for Newborns
Give your baby soft, strong protection with these special newborn diapers from Pampers. They’re just about as soft as your cuddles and extremely useful as you get used to diapering a tiny baby.
The Swaddlers line is known for being one of the softest available. The quilted heart liners is two times softer than the leading brand, so your baby can enjoy ultimate comfort. With a wetness indicator strip and super stretchy side panels, figuring out when your baby needs a diaper change is also easy.
Our favorite feature, however, is the umbilical cord notch. While most diapers have a straight line around the waistband, these curve down near your baby’s belly button. If your newborn still has an umbilical cord stump, you can rest assured knowing their delicate belly area is protected from tugging, pulling, and irritation.
We love these diapers for brand-new moms who need to take care of their first bundle of joy.
Pros
- Umbilical cord cut-out protects your baby’s belly button.
- Quilted liners ensure comfort and softness.
Cons
- Includes chemicals and fragrances, so your baby’s super sensitive skin may have a reaction.
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Mama Bear Diapers
Best Store-Brand Disposable Diapers
Chances are you’ve heard about the most popular name-brand disposable diapers, most notably Luvs, Huggies, and Pampers. However, store-brands are another option many moms forget about. Target, Walmart, and even smaller retailers have their own brands of diapers and they’re often more affordable.
When you’ve got to choose, which one should you pick?
We suggest choosing Mama Bear by Amazon. Why? Out of all the store-brands, they easily meet a number of important standards for disposable diapers.
All have a flexible fit, flexible leg cuffs, and ultra absorbent cores. They also have umbilical cord cut-out and useful add-ons such as wetness indicators and hypoallergenic materials.
However, one of the reasons we love the Mama Bear range is because of their many options. Every baby is different and Mama Bear offers a suitable diaper for every stage of life.
You get an automatic 20% off when you order with Amazon Prime and “subscribe” to certain products. This doesn’t just apply to diapers, but all Mama Bear baby products, which includes baby food, diaper wipes, laundry detergent, and vitamins.
Pros
- High-quality diapers in a variety of sizes.
- 20% off with an Amazon Prime membership.
- Hypoallergenic materials means they’re soft and gentle on skin.
- Free of fragrances, elemental chlorine and natural rubber latex
Cons
- They don’t have specialty diapers, such as overnight or swimming diapers.
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Mama Bear Newborn Diapers
Runner-up for Newborns
Newborns need a lot of extra love as they come into the world, and so do you. No matter how many children you already have, adjusting to a new baby is always a learning curve. Finding a good newborn diaper can help!
We think newborn diapers should be smaller, super snuggly, and free of chemicals to ensure a newborn’s extra-sensitive is protected. The Mama Bear Newborn Diapers from Amazon meet these requirements and more, making them a great option to start your diapering journey with.
They offer reliable 12-hour leakage protection, bolstered by an absorbent core, a quilted inner liner, and a pocketed-back waistband. Not only does this special waistband prevent liquid leaks, but it helps keep any extra mess inside the diaper where it belongs.
Flexible leg cuffs and soft, stretchy sides provide a contoured fit, even with your newborn’s small size. You also don’t have to worry about chemicals. These diapers are hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, chlorine, and latex.
However, our favorite part is the umbilical cord cut-out. A newborn baby still has a little stump from the umbilical cord while their belly buttons heal. With the cut-out on this diaper, your baby won’t have fabric constantly rubbing against that tender spot.
Pros
- Umbilical cord cutout protects your baby’s belly button.
- Impressive absorbency and good for stopping leaks and messes.
- Contoured to fit your small baby’s unique shape and movement.
- Hypoallergenic and chemical-free.
Cons
- Diaper tends to sag when fully saturated.
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Free & Clear Seventh Generation Diapers
Best Diapers for Sensitive Skin & Diaper Rash
Diaper rash can happen for all sorts of reasons, but it always leads to an unhappy baby. Caused by wet diapers, infrequent diaper changes, chafing, and skin sensitivity (1), diaper rash needs loads of TLC. If your baby’s skin is looking red and raw, it might be a good idea to find a chemical-free diaper that fits snugly and stays dry.
One of your best options is the Free & Clear diaper line from Seventh Generation, which is specially designed to take care of your baby’s sensitive skin. This not only means making the diaper chemical-free but also upping the absorbency so that extra wetness won’t cause chafing and discomfort.
We were pretty impressed by the list of what is and is not in these diapers. Each one is made of totally chlorine-free processed wood fluff pulp, sustainably sourced to protect forests and animals. You also won’t find any lotions, fragrances or chlorine bleaching here.
A feature demonstrating how committed Seventh Generation is to safe diapers is actually in the design. Cute animal prints will make your little one smile, but we think you’ll be the one smiling when you learn the inks and pigments used on the diaper are free from lead and other toxins.
These diapers have been clinically proven to be gentle on a baby’s sensitive skin. So, if your baby is prone to rashes or irritation, the Free & Clear line may be a good option to consider.
Pros
- Clinically proven to be gentle on skin.
- Soft quilted liner for ultimate comfort.
- Chemical free to keep your baby’s skin healthy and safe.
- Absorbent, moisture-wicking core keeps baby dry.
Cons
- Not as great a fit as other diapers, making them less ideal for lots of movement or long nights.
- On the expensive side.
Our Ratings
User Experience
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Runner-up for the Environment
We especially like the diapers from Babyganics, which uses an organic blend of plant-based materials to create their diapers. This includes a seed oil blend made of tomato, sunflower, cranberry, cumin, and raspberry to keep your baby’s sensitive skin hydrated and protected.
While these diapers aren’t totally biodegradable, they’re made to minimize the ecological footprint created by diapers as much as possible.
You may be wondering if a diaper like this can really have the same absorbency and effectiveness as a traditional disposable one. The answer is yes! These diapers are absorbent, come with a contoured fit to prevent leaks, and have all of the standard features you’d expect in a quality diaper.
You don’t have to sacrifice quality just to help the environment. With these, you get a diaper that’s good for both your baby and the world they’ll grow up in.
Pros
- Good for you, your baby and the environment.
- Special seed oil blend is a natural way to pamper your baby.
- Meets rigorous environmental standards.
- Chemical-free.
Cons
- Reviewers found they tend to run smaller, so finding a good fit may be harder.
- Not as soft and comfy as diapers with non-organic fabrics.
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Huggies Little Movers
Best Diapers for Toddlers
Toddlers are movers and shakers, budding explorers of a brave new world. You need a diaper that can keep up with them! For us, this means finding a diaper with a great fit.
Huggies Little Movers are popular for toddlers because they were designed with flexibility of movement in mind. The contoured fit frees up your baby’s legs for crawling and walking while the snug waistband helps the diaper stay in place no matter how your baby twists and turns.
While the Huggies Little Movers line, available in a number of sizes, has a lot of high-quality features, there are two in particular that make them ideal for toddlers.
Firstly, the “Double Grip Strips” secure the diaper across two points, so moms don’t have to worry about them coming loose. Secondly, the DryTouch liner is designed to whisk away moisture so your little one can move around with comfort, even if there’s a wait till their next diaper change.
Life with a toddler can be a tornado of both trouble and fun. With a diaper like this, you can stop worrying in between changes and just enjoy it all.
Pros
- Double grip strips keep diaper extra secure.
- Inner liner keeps your little one dry and comfy.
- Contoured fit allows for flexibility and movement.
Cons
- Compared to other diapers, the fabric isn’t the softest or most plush.
- Some moms have found the diapers cause rashes.
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Luvs Pro Level Leak Protection Diapers
Best Budget Diapers
In their first year, most babies will go through 8-10 diapers every day (2). That can really add up! Moms on a budget need to keep their babies dry and happy while not losing too much money maintaining their diaper stock.
Many brands on the market offer coupons, bulk discounts, and reward systems to help you save. However, we wanted to find a cheap disposable diaper right from the start. Our top pick is Luvs Pro Level of Leakproof Diapers.
A single box, depending on the size, contains between 144-294 diapers, making every diaper only 12 cents apiece on average.
For many moms, cheap is synonymous with poor quality. However, Luvs does a great job with their diapers, providing super-soft materials and a NightLock Plus feature to protect against leaks, even overnight.
Budgeting aside, you have enough to stress about already, so it’s important that changing time doesn’t add any extra pressure to your day. The large, refastenable stretch tabs and the wide fastening area makes changing time easier, so you can get those stinky diapers dispatched ASAP.
Pros
- Only 12 cents per diaper on average.
- Comes in a huge box with at least 144 diapers and up to 294.
- Fastening tabs make diaper changes a breeze.
- Paraben- and latex-free.
Cons
- Buying in bulk is always a risk and getting your money back can still be a pain.
- Reviewers found they may be leakier than other brands.
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Honest Overnight Diapers
Best Overnight Diapers
A good night’s sleep is essential for a happy baby and a happy mom. Without sleep, you could all end up exhausted and cranky. An overnight diaper is designed to help your baby sleep through the night and sparing you those late-night laundry loads.
If you’re on the hunt for a great overnight diaper to help reclaim your sanity, we suggest the Honest Overnight line. Not only do they have some great features for overnight protection, but they’re also eco-friendly.
The Honest Company specializes in creating diapers from plant-derived materials without latex, chlorine, or fragrances. This is unlike many other overnight diapers which have a lot of extra padding and chemicals. With this brand, you get something that’s safe your little one and good for the environment.
One extra cool feature about these is the ultra-absorbent, ultra-thin lining. Compared to their other diapers, the overnight style is up to 20% more absorbent, but you don’t have to worry about super heavy, stiff padding. The inner lining has a bio-based core with sustainably harvested fluff pulp, resulting in an effective, but lightweight lining.
Pros
- Ultra absorbent, ultra-thin lining offers comfortable, effective protection.
- Eco-friendly, sustainable materials are good for your baby and the environment.
- The contoured, stretchy design allows your baby to move comfortably at night.
Cons
- The absorbent core holds a lot, but it may leave your baby’s skin feeling damp.
- A bit on the expensive side.
Our Ratings
Going a size up in an overnight diaper helps the baby stay dry even longer and maybe help everyone sleep through the night.
Editor's Note:
Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BCUser Experience
BabyBackup Diaper Extenders
Best Diaper for Blowouts
Diaper blowouts are a stinky, messy nightmare! For those who haven’t yet experienced their first blowout, this is when your baby’s bowel movement isn’t contained by the diaper but seeps everywhere, especially onto your baby’s back.
Many diapers have snug waistbands and contouring to help prevent blowouts. However, after doing a little research, we found a special diaper add-on you can use on any of your favorite diapers. They are called BabyBackups.
BabyBackups are disposable absorbent pads with a sticky strip. Simply peel off the backing and press onto the rear-top of the diaper. There’s an indicator line to help you place it correctly, plus they’re hypoallergenic, comfy, and completely disposable.
The pad extends up your baby’s back ever so slightly and keeps all of the mess where it belongs, inside the diaper. It fits snugly between the waistband of the diaper and your baby’s skin. The goal of the BabyBackup is to prevent the mess from getting caught between your baby’s skin and the diaper.
Pros
- Helps prevent blowouts in any type of diaper.
- Easy to use and apply.
- Made of comfy and safe materials.
Cons
- It’s yet another thing to buy, which can get expensive and inconvenient.
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Eco Boom Bamboo Diapers
Best Bamboo Disposable Diapers
Out of all the sustainable disposable diaper materials, bamboo may just be the best. It’s organic, anti-fungal, hypoallergenic, and one of the softest all-natural materials. Bamboo diapers even come in either disposable or reusable forms.
We’re particularly impressed with Eco Boom’s diapers. Both the top sheet and back sheet are made from bamboo, which is soft, silky and seriously comfortable. The diapers absorb a lot but because bamboo fiber is perforated, it still allows fresh air to circulate and keep your baby dry.
This is a great diaper for your baby. However, one particular reason we love it is that it’s awesome for the environment. Most eco-friendly diapers are not biodegradable, but practically everything about this one is.
The main part of the diaper is made from 100% biodegradable bamboo. The only parts of the diaper that needs to be removed before you compost are the sticky fastener tabs. What’s more, both the outer carton and inside packaging bag are also biodegradable.
These diapers are free from latex, PVC, and TBT.
If you have a baby with super sensitive skin or if responsible consumption is a priority, these diapers are a great choice for you and your little one.
Pros
- 100% biodegradable bamboo is great for the environment.
- Bamboo fibers are breathable, absorbent, and silky to the touch.
- Naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial.
- Packaging is also biodegradable.
- All natural materials no chemicals.
Cons
- You have to remove the sticky fasteners to compost.
- Absorbent, but not great for overnight.
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Pampers Splashers Diapers
Best Swim Diapers
Most diapers swell and expand when wet. While this is normally a good indicator that your baby needs to be changed, it quickly becomes uncomfortable and soggy when you want to have a fun day by the water.
Splashers diapers from Pampers have been specifically designed for use at the beach, pool, splash park, or even just water play at home. Your baby can splish and splash and the diaper won’t swell.
Not only does this prevent your baby from becoming uncomfortable, but you won’t have to worry about your little one streaking across the beach as their soaking diaper eventually sags and slips right off.
Another feature that will help your little one move around in the water is the specialized waistband. It has a 360 degree all-around stretchy waistband designed to fit like swimwear. When you get home or need to change your baby, it will pull right off, even when wet.
Of course, you may be wondering how effective these diapers are at keeping the mess contained so it doesn’t spill out into the water. You and the rest of the swimmers are in luck. Dual barriers around your baby’s legs prevent any leakage while allowing your little one to kick and splash with total freedom.
Pros
- The diaper won’t swell or get soggy in water.
- Stretchy, 360-degree waistband keeps the diaper but is easy to pull off.
- Fun aquatic designs will make children smile.
Cons
- They don’t come in smaller sizes for younger babies.
- It’s hard to know how effective they are at absorbing urine when they’re wet.
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
The Anatomy of a Disposable Diaper
Go to your local store and you’ll see aisles packed with the things. While there are many different features to choose from (we’ll get to that in a bit), nearly all disposable diapers have the same basic construction.
Made out of wearable plastic materials such as polyesters or polyethylene, disposable diapers have three distinct layers, each with a specific function (3):
- Top sheet: The top sheet creates the inner lining of the diaper and is the layer in contact with your baby’s sensitive skin. It often contains a barrier ointment to reduce redness and diaper rash.
- Absorbent Inner Layer: The inner layer is designed to absorb as much fluid as possible. Super absorbent polymers can absorb 30 times their own weight.
- Back sheet: The back sheet is the outermost layer of the diaper and is often waterproof to prevent leaks and help whisk away moisture.
Depending on the brand, your disposable diaper may also contain perfumes and dyes. If your baby has sensitive skin, you may want to do some research on how these additives may cause a rash or irritation.
What About Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers?
When it comes to the environment, cloth diapers are always the least harmful. However, eco-friendly or “green” diapers have entered the scene to combat some of the environmental issues surrounding disposable diapers. You can still throw them away, but you can feel better knowing you’re reducing your ecological footprint.
While the construction is similar to traditional disposable diapers, eco-friendly diapers have two major differences:
- Biodegradable Materials: Eco-friendly diapers are made out of biodegradable materials that won’t linger for years in a landfill. Plant-based materials are the most popular and include corn, wheat, or bamboo.
- Chemical Free: Most eco-friendly diapers shy away from using any sort of chemical additives. You won’t find chlorine, latex, perfumes, or dyes in most eco-friendly diapers.
If you’re interested in eco-friendly disposable diapers, you’re in luck. Due to their rising popularity, today you’ll be able to find more options in stores than ever before.
Choosing the Best Diapers
Every baby is different and it may take some experimentation to find the diaper that works best for both you and your little one. However, no matter the disposable diaper you end up trying, we suggest looking for these five awesome features.
1. Contoured Fit
The best way to prevent leaks and ensure your baby stays comfortable is to find a diaper that fits properly. In diaper language, you want to look for diapers with a contoured fit. This means the diaper has been designed to fit snugly around your baby’s legs and hips.
When a diaper has a contoured fit, your baby can wiggle and squirm and their diaper just moves with them.
2. Re-sealable, Strong Fasteners
A diaper fastener is how your diaper stays on your baby once it’s been placed onto their body. Most disposable diaper fasteners are made of a thin tab of plastic with some sort of sticky adhesive on it. Just pull the fastener tab tight and stick it onto the diaper front.
We suggest looking for a diaper with strong fasteners you can re-seal. That way, if you open up the diaper and find it can last a little longer, you can re-seal it without worrying about it falling off or coming undone.
3. Perfume Free
We know diapers can be stinky, but that doesn’t mean your diaper needs to be scented. Perfumes contain chemicals you don’t want coming into contact with your baby’s skin.
Some companies work hard to use non-allergenic perfumes, but we think it’s best to stay away from anything with added chemicals. Always check the packaging before buying and confirm whether the diaper is perfumed in any way.
4. Wetness Indicator
Do you know when it’s time to change your baby’s diaper? It can actually be harder than many parents realize. Save yourself some stress by looking for a diaper with a wetness indicator. This is especially helpful in the newborn phase, those wet diapers can be impossible to tell.
Wetness indicators can be found on the outer part of the diaper, as a line or symbol. When the line becomes wet from urine, it changes color, indicating that it needs to be changed.
However, you need trial and error to monitor how effective a wetness indicator actually is. Sometimes, a heavily soiled diaper won’t change the indicator in time.
5. Ultra-Absorbent Core
At the end of the day, you want a diaper that’s going to work. You need something that will hold a lot of fluid without making a mess or causing your baby discomfort. With an ultra-absorbent core, you won’t be changing your baby’s diapers every thirty minutes.
Purchase a small number to try before you commit to buying in bulk to see how much they hold and how they work for your little one.
How to Find the Right Size Diaper
When looking for a disposable, you’ve likely noticed a lot of numbers when it comes to sizing. What do these mean and how can you find the right size diaper? After all, finding the right fit is essential for a diaper’s effectiveness.
Each brand has variations, but most follow the same system. A diaper is sized according to your baby’s weight, not their age (4). The weight range correlates to a number, generally one through six.
As your baby grows, the weight increments increase. So, while a size 1 diaper normally has a six-pound difference before you need to switch, a size 6 will likely have a 15-pound difference.
Always make sure to check the diaper sizing guide on the packaging before purchasing. If your baby starts leaking it’s probably because they’re ready to go up a size.
Editor's Note:
Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BCHow to Save Money on Diapers
As you start to go through diapers, you may feel your wallet getting thinner. This is especially true if you have more than one child in diapers at a time. How can you save some money without sacrificing quality?
Here are five simple tips for buying in bulk, clipping coupons, and reducing your monthly diaper budget.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money. It’s easy: the more diapers you purchase at once, the cheaper they’ll be. However, you need to make sure you really love the diaper before you commit to 200 of them at a time.
Test out a small package before buying in bulk. You’ll also want to go to a store that specializes in bulk products, such as Costco or Sam’s Club or utilize amazon subscribe and save.
Clip Coupons
If you’ve never clipped coupons before, now is the time to start. A few coupons can make a big difference once you start adding them up.
Coupons are available in a number of places. Make sure to look through those newspapers before you throw them out. You can also get coupons from parenting magazines, online websites, and phone apps.
One way to get coupons is at the very store you’re buying diapers from. Coupons often automatically print out when you purchase from a that brand is offering any specials.
Find a Rewards Program
Some diaper brands offer a rewards program. Each time you make a purchase or complete an activity, such as downloading or interacting with a phone app, you get points. These points can be redeemed for coupons, gift cards, and even free diapers.
Check out the website for the diaper brand you’re interested in buying and see if you can find a program or point system to take part in. Brands often want to reward customers for being loyal to their products.
Ask for Larger Sizes
Your friends and family will likely want to give you some diapers as a baby shower gift. If you have a baby registry or are accepting gifts, ask for diapers in larger sizes. You don’t know how fast your little one will grow out of the smaller sizes, which can render a lot of diaper gifts useless.
All gifts are appreciated, but we definitely suggest doing a little research before the baby is born and choosing a diaper to suggest on the baby shower invite.
Purchase Store-Brand Diapers
Name brand diapers are popular for a reason. However, major retailers often have a perfectly adequate store-brand equivalent. Look for a store-brand option if money is tight and especially if you’re transitioning out of diapers and into pull-ups or underwear.
How to Prevent Diaper Rash
Most babies will experience diaper rash, but you can take a number of steps to prevent it.
Here’s how to address the most common causes of diaper rash (5):
- Frequent Changing: The urine and stool inside a diaper can cause friction and irritation, leading to a diaper rash. Do all you can to change your baby’s diapers frequently and as soon as you notice it’s been soiled.
- Gentle Products: Many diapers contain chemicals that can damage sensitive skin. Look for diapers and wipes without fragrances, lotions, chlorine, or other strong additives.
- Proper Fit: If a diaper doesn’t fit properly, it can lead to rubbing and chafing on your poor baby’s bum. Make sure the diaper is snug, but not too tight.
- Air Out: Moist, warm areas are breeding grounds for bacteria and funguses; some are similar to a yeast infection. It may help to monitor your baby as they nap or sit without a diaper occasionally.
How to Dispose of Diapers
Disposable diapers are convenient because you’re supposed to just throw them away without thinking twice, right? However, you may need to be giving an extra thought or two on how you are getting rid of those stink bombs.
Don’t worry; you won’t need a hazmat suit. Just follow these five simple steps:
- Dump the contents of the diaper into the toilet.
- Wrap up the diaper to contain the mess.
- Seal the diaper in a plastic pail, container, or can.
- Throw out the diapers in an appropriate location.
- Wash your hands!
It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that fecal matter is a hazardous waste that shouldn’t be put into our landfills (6). Dumping the solid mess into the toilet beforehand is one of the most important steps that many people skip.
3 Diapering Essentials You Need
Keeping your baby’s bottom clean isn’t just about diapers. A few essentials will make your diapering routine a little easier.
Here are three that every mother should have.
- Diaper Wipes: These soft, damp cloths are designed to clean your baby so you can put on a fresh diaper without any gross residue transferring over. You’ll want to look for an extra-strong wipe without lots of chemical additives.
- Diaper Pail: If you put a diaper in a regular trash can, the smell can be pretty horrendous. Get yourself a special diaper pail designed to trap the odor in special disposal bags.
- Snap-Close Outfits: In the event of a leak, blowout, or even just a fast change, you don’t want to have to take all your baby’s clothes off to get to the diaper. Choose baby onesies or pants that have a snap closure in the crotch.
Disposable Diaper FAQs
Are the Chemicals in Diapers Dangerous?
Unless you choose a line of diapers specifically created to be chemical-free, assume your diapers will contain chemicals, the five most common being polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorine, dyes, and fragrances (7).
All perform a specific function. For example, both polyethylene and polypropylene are plastics to improve absorbency and waterproof the diaper. Chlorine bleaches the inner lining and fragrances help mask nasty smells.
While your baby may have a sensitivity to some of these and have a bad reaction, the chemicals used in disposable diapers are either non-toxic and safe for your baby to wear, or in such low quantities that harmful reactions are highly unlikely (8).
Can Diapers Expire?
Nope! Diapers do not have an expiration date. However, some discoloration may occur if not used for an extended period (9). If the diapers become wet or damp, mold and bacteria may also grow.
We suggest storing your boxes in a cool, dry area in an airtight box or the original packaging.
Are Diapers Biodegradable?
Because of their materials, diapers are not biodegradable. It’s important to know that even eco-friendly diapers, as we’ve mentioned earlier in this article, are not entirely biodegradable.
Can Diapers Be Burned?
Burning diapers is a terrible idea. Not only is it illegal in some states, but burning plastic can emit toxic fumes and carcinogens into the air.
Can Diapers Cause Eczema or Hives?
If your baby has eczema (a condition characterized by extremely dry skin), a plastic diaper has a good chance of making the problem worse. If your baby is allergic to any of the materials in the diaper, it could be causing eczema.
Hives, another itchy rash with raised welts, can also be caused by diaper friction or allergies to diaper materials. You can ask your doctor to test if your baby has an allergy to disposable diapers.
How Much Does It Cost to Diaper a Baby?
It totally depends on the brand you buy and your baby’s usage. Going off the average price and diaper use, you can generally expect to spend approximately $550 a year on diapers.
Remember, this is strictly for the diapers themselves. It does not factor in wipes, creams, and other diapering accessories.
Can Diapers Be Returned?
Your diapers can often be returned or exchanged depending on what state the package is in. If the package is unopened, you’ll likely be able to return or exchange them according to the store’s specific return policy.
However, what do you do if you open the box and use some, but don’t need the rest? If the product was defective in some way or you are unhappy with the quality, you can contact the store or the company directly to learn more about refund options.
If you simply don’t need them anymore, we suggest donating them as most stores won’t offer a refund or exchange on “used” products.
Where Can I Donate Diapers?
There are so many different ways to donate your unused diapers!
Here are just a few:
- Find a diaper bank through the National Diaper Bank Network. They will make sure your diapers get to moms in need.
- Post something on social media! There are probably more moms around you than you think.
- Check local women’s and refugee shelters to see if they accept diapers.
Which Disposable Diaper is Best for the Baby?
When you’re choosing the best disposable diaper for your baby, consider your own personal preferences as well as your baby’s needs. Here are a few popular options that parents tend to go with:
- Pampers Swaddlers: Known for their softness and comfortable fit for newborns.
- Huggies Little Movers: Designed to fit crawlers and provide gentle protection for sensitive skin.
- Luvs: They offer awesome value for the price and are a popular choice for parents on a budget.
What is the Average Age to Stop Using Diapers?
It honestly varies from child to child. Most kids are potty trained between the ages of two and three, but some take longer. Just follow your child’s lead and try not to pressure them to use the toilet before they’re ready.
Some signs that they might be ready to start potty training are showing an interest in the toilet, staying dry for longer periods of time, and being able to follow simple directions.
