An eco-friendly disposable diaper is a great choice for those who are conscious of the environment. It's usually free from harmful chemicals and safe for your baby's delicate skin as well! However, choosing an eco-friendly diaper is not easy since there are a plethora of options available online. Some products might be advertised as environmentally friendly, while they are actually made of plastics. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
To help you with your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best ones out there. Eco by Naty's Baby Diapers won the first prize on our list, as they're highly absorbent and leak-proof. They're made of wood pulp, a biodegradable material, and certified OK Biobased by TÜV Austria as well. Keep reading our 10 best list for more options, and check out our buying guide at the end for tips on how to choose an eco-friendly disposable diaper!
Quick List - Top Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers
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This guide will introduce you to some important factors that you should keep in mind when choosing eco-friendly disposable diapers, including the material and the features that will help keep your baby dry and comfortable. Read on to find out more!
The most important part of a diaper is the absorbent core. It helps pull moisture in and keep your baby's bum dry, thus preventing diaper rash.
While the absorbent core of regular disposable diapers is usually made of plastic, those of eco-friendly ones use either wood pulp or bamboo fiber. Both are renewable resources and are better for the environment.
Bamboo diapers are soft, absorbent, and can hold a lot of mess. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, so it's great for babies with sensitive skin. Wood pulp can absorb wetness very well, too! Similar to bamboo fiber, wood is very soft and will make your baby feel comfortable while wearing it.
Many manufacturers label their diapers as biodegradable and eco-friendly to attract environmentally-conscious customers. However, those labels might just be gimmicks and the only way that shows a product is truly eco-friendly is through certifications.
Since the absorbent core of eco-friendly diapers is usually made of wood or bamboo fiber, look for a product with a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to ensure that the material is sustainably sourced.
A Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification is trustworthy as well, as RA is an international organization dedicated to fighting deforestation and supporting economic opportunities for the local people.
To ensure comfort for your baby, you'll need to choose a diaper that is highly absorbent, soft, and provides a great fit. In this section, we'll go over some features that a great diaper should have!
Diapers that are too tight can cause pain to your baby and even leave red marks. However, loose diapers might not hold in blowouts and might come off when your baby moves around. So, make sure your diapers have an elastic waistband to give your baby flexibility to move.
Choose diapers with leg cuffs, too! They will ensure that there's no leakage even when your little one is wiggling around.
A breathable outer layer will help keep your little one's skin dry as it allows fresh air to circulate and pulls moisture away from your baby's skin. Therefore, this layer will help ensure that your baby doesn't experience a diaper rash and feels comfortable all the time.
Some products also add aloe vera, which has strong antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics to further prevent diaper rashes and moisturize your baby's skin.
A wetness indicator strip is a handy feature, as it helps inform you when it's time to change the baby's diaper. Usually, it's a yellow strip that goes from the front to the back of the diaper. It measures the pH level and will turn blueish when urine is detected.
With it, there will be no guesswork involved! You don't have to constantly check to see if your baby needs a change or not. Your baby is less likely to get a diaper rash, too, since you'll probably notice it faster.
Babies have very sensitive skin and might react to chemicals such as dye, latex, alcohol, and preservatives. It's also important that the pulp that makes up the absorbent core isn't bleached with chlorine. Chlorine-bleached pulp might contain dioxins, which are environmental pollutants and carcinogens.
Some diapers are also formulated with fragrances. They might help cover up the foul odor of your baby's mess, but they can actually irritate their sensitive skin! In fact, fragrances are one of the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis.
To be on the safe side, try to go for a dermatologist-approved product. Some diapers are also certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, a well-known and stringent consumer-quality label for textiles. Products with this certification are proven to be made without harmful substances and are less likely to irritate your little one!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eco by Naty Baby Diapers | ![]() | Plant-Based, No Bleaching and Fragrance-Free | |
2 | Dyper Responsibly Sourced Bamboo Baby Diapers | ![]() | Free of Harsh Chemicals That Might Irritate the Skin | |
3 | Andy Pandy Bamboo Disposable Diapers | ![]() | Highly-Absorbent and Leak-Proof | |
4 | The Honest Company Overnights | ![]() | Stop Nighttime Leaks With These Heavy-Duty Diapers | |
5 | Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Diapers | ![]() | Provides Soft Comfort to Your Baby | |
6 | Seventh Generation Free & Clear Overnight Diapers | ![]() | Cute Designs from a Well-Known Eco-Friendly Brand | |
7 | Earth + Eden Baby Diapers | ![]() | Stretchy, Soft Diapers for Comfort | |
8 | Eco Boom Baby Bamboo Biodegradable Diapers | ![]() | Biodegradable Diapers Made of Bamboo and Cotton | |
9 | Happy Little Camper Natural Diapers | ![]() | Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to Moisturize Your Baby's Skin | |
10 | Mum & You Nappychat Nappies | ![]() | Non-Irritating to a Baby's Skin |
With the OK Biobased certification from TÜV Austria, these diapers are made mostly of plant-based ingredients and are also lab-tested to be free from more than 100 chemicals such as fragrances, latex, and dyes. And since the core is made of wood pulp, it's highly absorbent and can effectively prevent leakage and blowouts.
Some reviewers were disappointed that the Velcro didn't stand up well and the diapers broke apart easily. Nevertheless, most reviewers complimented the absorbency and softness of these diapers.
Those who used the diapers overnight were pleased that they didn't leak and kept their skin dry all night. What's more, these diapers didn't give their baby any rashes.
These diapers are crafted from bamboo viscose and plant-based PLA and are compostable as part of their special REDYPER program. On top of that, they're made without potential irritants like alcohol, perfumes, lotions, and latex to help protect your baby's sensitive skin.
According to some reviewers, these diapers run a bit small. Some others complained that the flaps on the diapers didn't stay. On the other hand, most found these diapers were soft and held in pee well.
Others also found them gentle on their babies' skin and further mentioned that they didn't leave behind any red marks like other diapers. They also liked that they had a simple design without any colors.
The top sheet of these biodegradable diapers is made of 100 percent bamboo fiber. It's antimicrobial to prevent diaper rash and skin irritation. Plus, these diapers boast an aloe liner to keep your baby's skin moisturized. Another useful feature is the color-changing wetness indicator strip that tells you when your baby needs changing.
A few buyers mentioned that the newborn diapers were too large and more of a size one or two instead. On another note, the majority were pleased with how soft and absorbent they were. They also didn't experience leaking problems. Many others shared that the diapers didn't irritate their baby's sensitive skin or cause diaper rashes.
These diapers from the Honest Company feature a highly absorbent core made of sustainably sourced wood pulp and bio-based polymer that provides up to 12 hours of protection against leakage. Designed with elastic waistbands and refastenable tabs, these diapers will also keep your baby comfortable while snoozing.
A few buyers complained that the diapers varied in quality depending on which factory produced them. Still, the majority loved that they were comfortable to wear and gentle on sensitive skin.
People appreciated that these diapers didn't contain potential irritants such as fragrance, latex, and lotion. Many others also complimented the absorbency of these diapers and said they prevented leakage very well.
Bambo Nature features a breathable backsheet that allows fresh air to circulate, preventing diaper rash. A wetness indicator strip measures the pH level and turns from yellow (dry) to blue (wet) to let you know when it's time to change the diaper. The core is made of cellulose fluff and Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP), both of which are biodegradable.
A few reviewers complained that the diapers didn't hold a lot of pee and actually leaked. They further added that these diapers might work better for the daytime, not nighttime. Meanwhile, the majority loved that they're eco-friendly and were also satisfied with their softness. Their kids also didn't experience irritation.
These overnight diapers from Seventh Generation are made of sustainably sourced plant-based materials that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance. They don't contain any fragrances or chlorine bleach, so they're less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Some buyers disliked how the diapers stuck to their baby's bum. Others noted that the diapers leaked during overnight use and don't recommend them for that.
Nonetheless, these diapers were still a must-have for those worrying about diaper rashes. In fact, after using the diapers, their baby didn't experience allergic reactions. Many reviewers shared that these diapers were absorbent, soft, and able to hold in mess without falling apart.
Earth + Eden's diapers are made from wood fluff that's certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. They use water-based inks that do not contain any potentially harmful chemicals. The diapers are also produced in a zero-waste-to-landfill facility and contain no parabens, fragrance, or chlorine bleach.
Reviewers commented that these diapers were soft and able to hold a lot of mess. A few noted that the material was thin and not that absorbent. Nonetheless, many people used these diapers overnight and reported no leakage. On top of that, the diapers were stretchy and didn't make their baby feel uncomfortable while wearing.
The back sheet of Eco Boom's diapers are made of Forest Stewardship Council-certified bamboo fiber and they're free from potential irritants such as chlorine bleach, fragrance, and latex. The top sheet is ultra-soft, as it's made purely of cotton. The elastic waistband ensures a great, comfortable fit for your baby.
A few buyers complained that the diapers had a strong smell, while some others shared that the sizing was a bit off. On another note, most reviewers praised the soft material and said it absorbed very well.
They also loved the wetness indicator strip, saying it ran from the front to the back and allowed them to know when their babies need a change.
The wood pulp core of Happy Little Camper's diapers is highly absorbent. These diapers contain no potentially irritating ingredients such as chlorine, silicone, or fragrances. On top of that, they have aloe vera and vitamin E to soothe your baby's sensitive skin and prevent diaper rashes.
Some buyers complained that these diapers run a bit big. But a lot of parents vouched for their absorbency, saying the diapers kept their baby dry and comfortable while wearing. Many others also approved these diapers for nighttime use. Babies with sensitive skin didn't seem to have diaper rashes with these, either.
These diapers are made of sustainably-forested wood pulp and are highly absorbent. They have flexible leg cuffs and stretchy sides to ensure a secure and snug fit. On top of that, these diapers are dermatologist-tested and contain no lotion or perfume, thus are suitable for the sensitive skin of your baby.
Some parents said that the material was too thin and didn't really keep their baby's bum dry. However, the majority agreed that they were soft and highly absorbent. They further added that the diapers didn't leak or cause irritation to their baby's skin.
We know that as a parent, you want the best for your baby. So we've picked some must-have baby care products that you might find useful!
No. 1: Eco by Naty|Baby Diapers
No. 2: Dyper|Responsibly Sourced Bamboo Baby Diapers
No. 3: Andy Pandy|Bamboo Disposable Diapers
No. 4: The Honest Company|Overnights
No. 5: Bambo Nature |Eco-Friendly Diapers
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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