Best Disposable Diapers

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Buying Guide

The best diaper should be soft, breathable, absorbent, leak-proof, hypoallergenic and affordable.

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Disposable Diapers Buying Guide

What is a Disposable Diaper?

A disposable diaper is comprised of three layers: an inner layer or top sheet, an absorbent core and a waterproof outer layer. The inner layer sits next to the baby’s skin and is designed to be soft and wick moisture into the core. The absorbent core is generally a mix of filler material and chemical crystals, known as Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP). The role of the filler material is to distribute liquid across the diaper, while the SAP is designed to absorb the liquid and hold it in gel form away from the baby. The outer layer is most often a plastic or plastic-tread material that provides a waterproof shell for the diaper.

Sizing Disposable Diapers

Most major brand diapers are sized according to the baby’s weight, beginning with preemie and newborn and progressing to sizes 1 through 7 (sometimes 8). There is also a weight overlap between sizes which typically varies by manufacturer. Be aware that as the size of the diaper increases, the number of diapers you get per box for the same price, decreases. Manufacturers also frequently change the counts in their big discount boxes so it’s helpful to know the price per diaper when comparing deals (Amazon does this calculation for you). You can find diaper size and weight chart guides for most brands online as well as information on when to change sizes (we’ve included links for our recommendations).

Choosing a Disposable Diapers

Disposable diapers are a great convenience, but there have been questions about the safety of disposable diaper materials. Not all diaper manufacturers are completely transparent about the ingredients in their diapers. The number of known, potentially harmful chemicals in some disposable diapers include fragrances, dyes, chlorine and phthalates (chemicals used to soften plastics).

After doing our research, we cannot recommend an overall best-in-class disposable because of the concerns around the potential risks that the chemicals and ingredients in disposable diapers pose for the baby and the environment. We do recognize, however, that for many parents and caregivers, disposable diapers are a go-to choice. Our recommendations are not perfect but are reasonable options and worth a look.

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