After birth, a newborn needs to be cared for and given the utmost attention. Besides breast milk or formula, diapers are an essential item to ensure the health of a newborn and prevent skin infection. However, due to the plethora of products coming from well-known brands such as Huggies, Pampers, or Pure Protection, choosing a suitable product that can provide your child with the most comfort seems to be challenging.
Understanding that struggle, we browsed through many reviews on Amazon and compiled a list of the 10 best diapers for newborns to help you quickly figure out which item to purchase. One of our favorites is Huggies Little Snugglers since they're soft, absorbent, and secure. We also included a buying guide to help you decide which is the best for your baby, so check it out!
Melina has been a registered nurse for over 30 years, and she currently works as a Resource Nurse at a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Since she is a pro at changing newborns' diapers, we thought she would be the perfect person to ask about the right kind of diapers! Read the buying guide below to see her insight.
To create this list of the 10 best diapers for newborns, we took into consideration Melina's advice as well as the important factors listed in the buying guide. These included:
Read our buying guide to know why those factors are important. And check out our list of favorites for some great options!
Image | ![]() Huggies | ![]() Pampers | ![]() Mama Koala | ![]() Huggies | ![]() Earth & Eden | ![]() Beau & Belle Littles | ![]() Dyper | ![]() Luvs | ![]() Alva | ![]() Parent's Choice |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Little Snugglers Baby Diapers | Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers | One Size Baby Washable Reusable Pocket Cloth Diapers | Special Delivery | Baby Diapers | Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper | Bamboo Baby Diapers | Pro Level Leak Protection | Alvababy Pocket Diapers | Baby Diapers |
Features | Best for Preventing Leakage and Blowout | Best for the Comfortable Fit and the Baby-Powder Scent | Best Reuseable Cloth Diapers That Provide a Snug Fit | Best Gentle and Hypoallergenic Diapers for Sensitive Skin | Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers With a Cotton Layer for Extra Comfort | Best Swim Diaper That Holds up Against Leaks | Best Biodegradable Diapers Made from 100 Percent Bamboo | Best Leak-Proof Diapers for Overnight Use | Best for the Soft, Breathable, and Easy-to-Clean Material | Best for the Soft, Absorbent Material |
Price | $25.26 | $42.99 | $31.99 | $60.15 | $26.39 | $16.97 | $24.99 | $5.47 | $36.99 | $4.12 |
Amount | 84 diapers | 140 diapers | 6 diapers and 6 microfiber inserts | 132 diapers | 108 diapers | 1 diaper | 66 diapers | 31 diapers | 6 pieces & 12 inserts | 42 diapers |
Type | Disposable | Disposable | Reusable cloth | Disposable | Disposable diaper (zero waste) | Reusable cloth swim | Biodegradable, disposable | Disposable diaper | Cloth diaper | Disposable diaper |
Material | Polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, sodium polyacrylate | Polypropylene, polyethylene, wood pulp | Suede cloth inner, polyester thermoplastic polyurethane outer | Sugar cane, fluff pulp | Cotton inner layer, polypropylene outer layer, absorbent polymer | Polyurethane laminate fabric (PUL), polyester mesh inner | Bamboo | Not provided | 3-layer microfiber insert, PUL outer layer | Not provided |
Absorbency | 12-hour protection | 12-hour protection | Not provided | 12-hour protection | Not provided | Not provided | Not provided | Up to 12 hours of overnight protection | Not provided | 12-hour protection |
Features | Leak lock system, belly button cutout, double grip strips | Wetness indicator, blanket-like softness, air-dry channels, stretchy sides, umbilical cord notch for contoured fit | Waterproof and breathable TPU outer, one size with 3x3 rise snaps for customization | Leak lock system, wetness indicator, double grip strips | Fastening system, cotton enhanced dryness layer, umbilical notch | Middle size two snaps | Biodegradable, absorbent core | Leg cuffs, wetness indicator, leak guard, stretchy sides, refastenable tabs | Hip snaps and crossover snaps, elastic waistline | Wetness indicator, umbilical cord cut-out |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. | 8-35 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. | 6-35 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. | Up to 12 lbs. | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Elemental chlorine bleaching, latex, and fragrances | Parabens, latex | Not provided | Fragrance, parabens, chlorine bleach | Chlorine bleach, fragrances, latex, parabens | Not provided | Chlorine, latex, PVC, TBT, fragrances, lotions, phthalates | Parabens, latex | Not provided | Lotions, fragrances, phthalates, latex |
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To help you narrow down some good options, we looked through reviews on Amazon and created this list of top 10 best diaper products that are loved and recommended!
*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Melina McNaught.
$25.26
Amount | 84 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable |
Material | Polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, sodium polyacrylate |
Absorbency | 12-hour protection |
Features | Leak lock system, belly button cutout, double grip strips |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Elemental chlorine bleaching, latex, and fragrances |
$42.99
Amount | 140 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable |
Material | Polypropylene, polyethylene, wood pulp |
Absorbency | 12-hour protection |
Features | Wetness indicator, blanket-like softness, air-dry channels, stretchy sides, umbilical cord notch for contoured fit |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Parabens, latex |
$31.99
Amount | 6 diapers and 6 microfiber inserts |
---|---|
Type | Reusable cloth |
Material | Suede cloth inner, polyester thermoplastic polyurethane outer |
Absorbency | Not provided |
Features | Waterproof and breathable TPU outer, one size with 3x3 rise snaps for customization |
Fits | 8-35 lbs. |
Free from | Not provided |
$60.15
Amount | 132 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable |
Material | Sugar cane, fluff pulp |
Absorbency | 12-hour protection |
Features | Leak lock system, wetness indicator, double grip strips |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Fragrance, parabens, chlorine bleach |
$26.39
Amount | 108 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable diaper (zero waste) |
Material | Cotton inner layer, polypropylene outer layer, absorbent polymer |
Absorbency | Not provided |
Features | Fastening system, cotton enhanced dryness layer, umbilical notch |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Chlorine bleach, fragrances, latex, parabens |
$16.97
Amount | 1 diaper |
---|---|
Type | Reusable cloth swim |
Material | Polyurethane laminate fabric (PUL), polyester mesh inner |
Absorbency | Not provided |
Features | Middle size two snaps |
Fits | 6-35 lbs. |
Free from | Not provided |
$24.99
Amount | 66 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Biodegradable, disposable |
Material | Bamboo |
Absorbency | Not provided |
Features | Biodegradable, absorbent core |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Chlorine, latex, PVC, TBT, fragrances, lotions, phthalates |
$5.47
Amount | 31 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable diaper |
Material | Not provided |
Absorbency | Up to 12 hours of overnight protection |
Features | Leg cuffs, wetness indicator, leak guard, stretchy sides, refastenable tabs |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Parabens, latex |
$36.99
Amount | 6 pieces & 12 inserts |
---|---|
Type | Cloth diaper |
Material | 3-layer microfiber insert, PUL outer layer |
Absorbency | Not provided |
Features | Hip snaps and crossover snaps, elastic waistline |
Fits | Up to 12 lbs. |
Free from | Not provided |
$4.12
Amount | 42 diapers |
---|---|
Type | Disposable diaper |
Material | Not provided |
Absorbency | 12-hour protection |
Features | Wetness indicator, umbilical cord cut-out |
Fits | Up to 10 lbs. |
Free from | Lotions, fragrances, phthalates, latex |
When choosing a diaper, there are various things that you should consider including the material, absorbency, and skin-friendliness. Take a look at our buying guide for more detailed suggestions!
Diapers can be categorized into two types: cloth (or reusable) and disposable. Each type has its own pros and cons that you should take into consideration before making a purchase.
Many families prefer disposable diapers due to their unbeatable convenience: you don't have to wash or dry the diaper at all. Compared to reusable diapers, disposable products are more absorbent since they often contain super absorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate), which can absorb liquid quickly.
However, using disposable diapers can be really expensive, since you have to use multiple diapers per day. Most disposable diapers are also not biodegradable, thus not really friendly for the environment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that disposable diapers might contain potential irritants like fragrance, dyes, latex, and phthalates. Those irritants might lead to diaper rash. Therefore, look for disposables free from those irritants!
Cloth diapers are the traditional type that has been used for ages. They're reusable, cost-saving, and eco-friendly.
The best point about cloth diapers is their skin-friendliness. They are usually made with materials like polyester, cotton, hemp, and cotton and are usually not treated with chemicals like phthalates or fragrances. Therefore, compared to disposable diapers, they are gentler on your newborn's skin.
However, the absorbent properties of cloth diapers are not as good as disposable ones. Furthermore, cloth diapers cannot hold a lot of blow-outs. Leakage is a big problem for this type as well.
If you want to support the environment, consider biodegradable diapers. Biodegradable diapers are usually made from sustainable sources such as bamboo and cotton and contain no pesticides or potentially harmful chemicals, making them safer for the skin.
You can also look for diapers certified by accredited organizations such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative or Forest Sustainability Council. They are produced from sustainable sources and tested to be safe for the environment. They are less likely to be harmful to the skin as well.
The skin of newborns is particularly delicate, and can be irritated by temperature changes or chemical stresses. Rubbing from the diaper can also lead to skin rashes, especially if the material is a bit tough and contains chemicals.
As a result, choosing a diaper that can provide softness, good absorbency, and breathability is of utmost importance to ensure comfort for your newborn.
Harsh chemicals such as chlorine and dye should absolutely be avoided in order to prevent potential allergic reactions. Chlorine is used to clean the fibers in the diapers, but because of its irritating effect on the skin, many brands opt for chlorine dioxide instead.
Yet, chlorine dioxide can still create dioxins, toxic compounds that can severely irritate your newborns' sensitive skin. Therefore, to be safe, you should choose diapers that are totally chlorine-free.
Many diapers also include fragrance. Even in tiny amounts, fragrance can still irritate the sensitive skin of newborns. Instead, opt for dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic diapers that are completely free of harmful toxins.
Coarse materials can lead to chafing and rashes, so diapers need to be soft to the touch so that your newborn can feel at ease all the time. Cloth diapers are a great choice since their silky smooth material provides your newborns with a cushiony feel.
If you prefer disposable diapers, you should opt for products that are fabric or cloth-like in texture. Also, you should choose a product that can flex easily when your baby moves around.
Tight diapers can leave marks and even cause pain, but loose diapers will not stay on and will fall apart when your baby wiggles around. Therefore, you should look for products with stretchy sides, an umbilical notch, and a fastening system for a contoured, flexible fit.
Specifically, an umbilical notch ensures that your newborn's sensitive belly button area is untouched by the edges of the diaper and gives your baby a sense of comfort. Fastening systems such as snaps, grip strips, and side tabs help secure the diapers in place and prevent sagging. Leg cuffs provide a good fit around the thigh and prevent side leaks.
Also, keep in mind that the size of the diapers is based on the baby's weight. So, before purchasing diapers, check your baby's weight! Usually, newborn diapers are labeled with an N and can fit babies up to 10 pounds. But of course, sizes vary depending on the brand.
A diaper with poor absorbency will expose your newborns' skin to dampness, causing diaper rash and severe discomfort. Therefore, you should choose a disposable diaper with a strong, absorbent core.
Typically, the core of many diaper products contains super absorbent polymer (SAP), which can absorb the pee and fecal matter and leave the diaper with a feel-good dryness. A good product should be able to provide your newborn with long-lasting protection.
Cloth diapers can be easily soaked in pee much faster than disposable ones, so you should change them frequently to ensure comfort for your baby. Go for cloth diapers made from bamboo, cotton, or microfiber, since they are highly absorbent.
You should also pick cloth diapers that have a waterproof outer layer made from either thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurethane laminate to prevent leakage.
A diaper should also have good breathability to give your newborn that dry, fresh feeling. You should see if the diapers have air channels or have enough space for air to flow inside. Many diapers also have extra liners or inserts for more absorbency.
Your baby deserves a lot of attention and pampering, so check out our other articles for some suggestions to please your little precious!
Sometimes, even the softest and gentlest of diapers won't be enough to prevent diaper rash. Here's what Melina recommends to prevent it.
1.75 oz.
$1.79
If you're not satisfied with our choices, check out Amazon's best-selling diapers!
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