Of course we all want diapers that are absorbent and comfortable for our babies. But these days, if you look at what’s poking out of a baby’s waistband, you’re likely to see a disposable diaper in a fun pattern that has been made with renewable and sustainable materials.
Parents are demanding diapers made with more natural materials that are less likely to harm their babies and the planet. And parents also know that when you’re changing several of those diapers a day, it helps when they’re also nice to look at, at least on the outside. Here are brands that are changing the diaper game to make it better for baby and Mother Earth.
Rascal + Friends
We were recently turned onto Rascal + Friends, a brand whose devout followers include Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Their diapers, exclusively sold at Walmart, use only water-based inks and feature no harsh chemicals or formaldehyde. They’re cruelty-free and vegan and certified by PETA. You can find diapers in sizes 1-6, as well as wipes and training pants.
Celeb endorsements aside, here’s what sets Rascal + Friends apart (and why you’ll love them):
- The design is smart: our pre-kid selves never thought we’d be enamored with a diaper’s design, but here we are changing multiple diapers daily and truly impressed with Rascal + Friends’ design. We like the higher, high back waistband that’s flexible and moves with baby, the curved leg cuff whose wings expand outward to prevent leaks, and the tabs that are easy to affix when baby is moving around during changes (and stay put after the diaper is changed).
- They’re affordable. A 182 count of size 3 diapers costs $39.97, which comes out to 22 cents per diaper. This is less than some of the premium name-brand diaper brands we’ve used in the past.
- Nothing against other brands, but we did find that we liked the fun, gender-neutral design.
Available at walmart.com
Healthynest
This non-toxic diaper is made from plant-based materials and has a stretchy waistband for a snug, underwear-like fit. The absorbent core is made from wood pulp from sustainably harvested forests. It's free from chlorine bleaching, phthalates, allergens, irritants, parabens, fragrance, dioxins, lotions and latex. And it's the first diaper to receive the EWG VERIFIED mark from the Environmental Working Group for meeting the group's stringent ingredient and transparency requirements. Created by the founder of organic baby-food brand Happy Family Brands, this soft, safety-focused diaper is third-party tested for also VOCs, dioxins and pesticides.
Available at healthybaby.com.
Eco Pea Co
Absorbent and eco-friendly? Eco Pea Co is just that. Don't let the simple design of the diaper fool you—they come with all the features you want like a wetness indicator, size label, blowout guard and snug fitting technology. All diapers are made of sustainable and biodegradable bamboo sheets and they're all hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free. Plus, they're made without chlorine and contain no nasty chemicals. Moms will love that Eco Pea Co uses water-based ink and comes in biodegradable packaging with their shipping process carbon neutral. Sizes run 0 to size 4, and we thought diapers may be slightly larger than more mainstream sizes so if baby is in-between we suggest sizing down.
Available at ecopeaco.com
Happy Camper
You won't find any harmful chemicals in Happy Camper diapers. Just take it from the brand's spokeswoman and mom, Hilary Duff. While she's a brand ambassador evangelizing the benefits of using this sustainable brand (which she exclusively uses for her kids), it's no secret that the products speak for themselves. We were impressed by the diapers' leak-proof design and lack of chlorine, parabens, silicone, phthalates, and all the other chemicals often found in mainstream brands. Add to that Happy Camper's focus on sustainability (they only source sustainable natural cotton) and accurate sizing (sizes range from size 1 to size 5 and are on par with more mainstream brands), and this brand is sure to win over moms, celebrity-endorsement or not. Pair with Happy Camper's natural cotton or flushable wipes or bundle and save.
Available at happylittlecamperbaby.com
ABBY&FINN
Created by parents for parents, ABBY&FINN is a subscription diaper service like no other. Sure their diapers are eco-friendly, toxin-free and super cute to boot, but it's the specific perks of their business model that has us hooked. Expect a convenient "set it and forget it" approach to ordering, the ability to mix multiple sizes and designs in the same box in the event your babe is between sizes, and choose a delivery frequency that works for your family. Bonus: For every subscription of diapers sold, ABBY&FINN gives 30 diapers to a child in need.
Available at ABBY&FINN.com for $50/month for diapers.
Coterie
These high-absorbency, fast-wicking diapers are praised for their softness and high performance. A wide back panel and absorbent core mean fewer leaks, and the soft, fragrance-free materials mean less chance of irritation to baby’s skin. These diapers are free of chlorine, lotion, latex, rubber, dyes, chemicals and much more.
Available at coterie.com, starting at $16.99.
Offspring
This Australian brand has brought its super-soft diapers (as well as organic wipes and plant-based, antibacterial cleansing spray) to the US. The diapers are hypoallergenic, non-toxic and free of dyes, latex, chlorine, lead, heavy metals and other harmful chemicals. There’s also no fragrances or lotion to irritate sensitive skin. The absorbent cotton on the diapers is derived from wood pulp harvested from sustainable forests in the US and other countries, and we are in love with the sweet prints: lemons, leaves and elephants.
Available at offspringus.com and amazon.com.
Hello Bello
This new eco-friendly baby line, cofounded by funny celeb parents Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, is known for premium products at budget-friendly prices. The diapers are made with a plant-derived absorbent core and sustainably harvested fluff pulp and are free from chlorine, phthalates, lotion and fragrance. They come in a broad range of fun patterns, from flowers and fruit to sloths and dinosaurs. Pick them up at Walmart or sign up for bundles of dipes and wipes that get delivered to your doorstep.
Available at walmart.com and hellobello.com.
Pampers Pure
Long known for the quality of their diapers, Pampers recently introduced a new, more natural collection of diapers and wipes that retain the company’s signature leakage and dryness protection. Pampers Pure diapers are made with premium cotton and soft, plant-based materials, and without chlorine bleaching, fragrance, latex or parabens. They come in stylish prints and soft colors, with different prints in each size so you don’t accidentally grab a diaper that doesn’t fit (smart!). Look for supercute animals, pastel patterns and our favorite: a fun heart-filled print reading “hi” and “xoxo.”
Available at pampers.com and major retailers.
Thrive Market
You probably know Thrive Market as a membership market that offers healthy food at reasonable prices, featuring organic and natural favorites as well as their house brand. They recently expanded their house brand’s offerings to include diapers that use 30-40% more renewable and sustainable raw materials than leading brands. These diapers are also free of fragrance, latex and chlorine bleach, so there’s less chance of irritation on baby’s skin. The diapers are white, so they’re great under light-colored pants, and they feature a cute and colorful animal-printed band on the front.
Available at thrivemarket.com.
photo: Honest Company
The Honest Company
Honest is known for playful on-trend prints that change with the seasons. Their new summer patterns feature festival-appropriate tie-dye, colorful turtles and flower power. All Honest diapers are made with sustainable materials, including fluff pulp harvested from sustainably managed forests, and skip the harsh stuff, like chlorine processing, synthetic fragrances, lotions and latex. Heads up for the West: Costco recently started carrying Honest Diapers in select West Coast locations.
New spring patterns available at honest.com and major retailers.
—Eva Ingvarson Cerise
featured photo: Coterie
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