The biggest costs involved with having a baby are their food, their care, and of course the dreaded diapers. The average parent can spend close to $12,000 in their first year on caring for their new baby.
A large chunk of that will be spent on buying diapers regularly. If you are going to be spending thousands of dollars on diapers, you will want to make sure you are getting the best quality for the cost.
Finding that perfect diaper that holds your child, without breaking your bank, will be a matter of trial and error. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are fifteen of the most popular and best brands of diapers that parents found to work.
Our Top Picks
- A wetness indicator helps you know when to change your child’s diaper.
- The front image helps you attach the diaper evenly, to avoid side leaks.
- The front of the smaller diapers will not hurt your child’s stomach.
- Huggies offers a rewards program to help with costs when buying their diapers regularly.
- A wetness indicator helps you know when your child needs to be changed.
- The diaper is free from scents.
- The front of the diaper is dipped for a better fit in newborns.
- The diaper is made out of environmentally friendly materials.
- There are no additional chemicals or lotions that can hurt your child.
- A wetness indicator helps you know when to change your child’s diaper.
- The front image helps you attach the diaper evenly, to avoid side leaks.
- The front of the smaller diapers will not hurt your child’s stomach.
- Huggies offers a rewards program to help with costs when buying their diapers regularly.
- A wetness indicator helps you know when your child needs to be changed.
- The diaper is free from scents.
- The front of the diaper is dipped for a better fit in newborns.
- The diaper is made out of environmentally friendly materials.
- There are no additional chemicals or lotions that can hurt your child.
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
Average Diaper Use
The amount of diapers you will go through in the first year, or even the first month, depends on many factors. Mainly, it will depend on whether you breastfeed or formula feed your child.
A breastfed child will have more bowel movements, and these will be softer. If your child is formula fed, their bowls will be less often and firmer.
According to New Kids-Center, a newborn will go through about 320 diapers in the first month alone. From there, they will go down to about 240 diapers a month for the first year.
A newborn will probably need to be changed every 2 to 3 hours, which will add up to around ten changes a day. Six out of the ten will be just wet, and the other four will be bowel movements.
After that first month, your child will go less frequently. You can take a little sigh of relief as your child will start going down to eight diaper changes a day. Your child will stay around eight diapers a day for their first year.
These are just averages, and will fluctuate from baby to baby. Some other factors will also affect their diaper change. If there is a large difference in your child’s diaper use, a doctor should be consulted as this could be an indicator of another issue that needs to be addressed medically.
Types of Diapers
There are two main types of diapers, disposable or cloth, according to Consumer Reports. Disposable diapers are easier to use, and are sometimes considered more sanitary as you just have to wrap up the mess and toss it.
Cloth diapers, on the other hand, can save money, as well as are healthier for the environment. They take a little more time, as the soiled diapers will have the extra step of washing before they are ready to use.
Disposable Diapers
Most parents still go with disposable diapers. With disposables, you can spend anywhere upwards of $2,500 in total while your child wears diapers. This can be even greater if you opt for a more natural brand. So, why do parents even use disposables?
A disposable diaper can be kept on your child for longer than cloth diapers. There are special chemicals in an absorbent pad that will take all liquid away from your child.
This keeps your child feeling dry, and also keeps their skin from developing a rash from being in moisture for too long. When you need to change your child, disposables are easy to roll up, and throw in a diaper pail.
You then do not need to deal with the diaper again, unlike cloth diapers. This will guarantee each diaper is completely clean, and free from any sort of harmful bacteria and growth that can occur in improperly cared for cloth diapers.
Disposables are sized according to weight. The sizing chart may vary from brand to brand and should be double checked on their company chart. Most of the time, there should be a weight chart on the back of the diaper package.
In addition to weight, disposables are categorized by use. The most common diapers are those for use every day. You can also find an overnight option for your child.
The overnight diapers tend to be more absorbent. There are also special swim diapers. These can be worn in water and pools without becoming too water-soaked.
When your child starts to potty train, they can graduate from diapers to pull ups. These will give your child the feeling of underwear, with all the effectiveness of a diaper.
One of the main differences is that pull-ups allow your child to feel the moisture, while a good diaper keeps your child feeling dry. This feeling of wetness helps your child learn when it is time to go to the bathroom.
Cloth Diapers
While disposable diapers still have the edge in the market, cloth diapers are starting to drastically rise in popularity. The two main reasons people choose cloth diapers are to save on costs, and to help save the environment.
A third reason for some is to avoid the many chemicals found in disposable diapers.
Cloth diapers will save you hundreds of dollars on diapers. You will only need to buy a few diapers, which will then be able to be reused.
Often times you’ll find cloth diapers being adjustable, so that one size will fit much longer than the multiple sizes of a disposable diaper. So, you will not have to deal with half-used packages of wasted disposable diapers when your child grows.
Cloth diapers will not fill up landfills like disposable diapers do. Many of the components of a regular disposable diaper take years to degrade. Some components never degrade, and sit in landfills for life.
There are some more natural choices in disposable diapers that help to lessen this issue. In addition, many companies are trying to make their diapers smaller so that there is less waste.
But, no matter what the companies do, you will still have a diaper in the trash at the end of the day. Only cloth diapers truly eliminate the waste.
Disposable diapers also have more chemicals. These chemicals are often the cause of rashes on your child. The chemicals are what make the diapers more absorbent than cloth diapers, but some parents will take the less absorbent cloth diapers in order to keep their child from being exposed to chemicals which we do not fully understand the effects of to your child’s health.
Cloth diapers would gain a following much faster if the act of cleaning them weren’t so daunting. Most cloth diapers will come with special washing instructions for their specific fabric and make.
Once a routine is established, and the proper washing is learned, many parents will say the process isn’t as difficult as they first imagined.
Cloth diapers are not just the handkerchief tied around your child’s hips, and fastened with a safety pin as many films portray them to be.
Now, you can get cloth diapers in many shapes and forms. They use a variety of fabrics, from cotton, terry, or flannel. Flannel is both the softest and most absorbent.
A cloth diaper will have a couple essential parts. The first, and most important, is the cover. This waterproof cover is what keeps the mess from getting on your child’s clothes and your furniture.
The cover essentially is the diaper. What you then do is add the cloth diaper portion inside the cover to add absorbency. What you put inside the cover is what will hold your child’s mess, and keep it away from their skin.
The better the insert, the less of a chance of your child getting a rash. These inserts can be a folded cloth, or a pad-like insert. Some inserts are disposable.
This makes it easier to clean up the mess, and eliminates the need to rinse the liners before washing. The downfall is that you are, again, creating waste and adding a regular cost of buying additional inserts.
Some covers, you just lay the inserts inside. While this makes it easy to switch out inserts when it comes time to change, it also leaves the insert room for moving around and increasing the chances of a leak.
Other covers will have a pocket in which the insert is placed. This keeps the insert from shifting during the day.
An all-in-one cloth diaper will have the cloth and cover attached as one unit. These cloth diapers are just as easy to use as disposables, as you do not have to deal with separate pieces like inserts.
While these diapers are easier when it comes to changing, they do create quite a bit more laundry as the entire diaper is changed each time. In addition, the all-in-one design tends to be bulkier and take longer to wash and dry.
Diaper Duties
With all the costs of diapers, and effort in regular changing, you will want to make life as easy as possible by finding a diaper that actually does its duty.
Plain and simple, a diaper is supposed to contain your child’s waste, with as little a mess as possible. The better a diaper does this, the less work you will have in having to clean your child and their clothing, not to mention sheets or other objects and furniture that are nearby when a leak occurs.
Look for more absorbent diapers
To make sure your diaper will truly contain all that comes out of your child, you will want to make sure it is more absorbent that you will need on the average day.
It is better to over estimate how much your child will use of their diaper, than be unpleasantly surprised. All diapers will have three parts.
There is an inner layer that is what touches your child’s skin. The absorbent center, which has the chemical that holds in all liquid, and the outer layer, which is the waterproof shield that keeps what is in the diaper from getting out.
The middle of disposable diapers is made of super absorbent polymer, or SAP. All regular diapers use this chemical. Some natural diapers have tried substitutes, but they are never as absorbent as those that have this chemical.
It is believed to be completely safe. The chemical in the absorbent center, when in contact with liquid, will turn into a sort of gel to help contain the liquid.
Look for leak guards
While SAP will contain all liquid to a point, there is a stage before the liquid is absorbed that it may escape the diaper. This is why many diapers have leak guards.
These are elastic bands and material extensions around the leg and waist. Just having these bands aren’t enough to keep a diaper from leaking, it is also important to be made from good quality materials. The materials is what separates a mediocre diaper from one that will be functional.
Look for the right fit
Another big factor of whether or not the diaper will leak depends on how well it fits. While the weight chart on diaper packages should help you get the right size, you may still find yourself going up or down a size because of the build of your child.
The more flexible a diaper’s material is, the more likely it is to fit snuggly on your child. The last thing you want is a stiff diaper that will bulge and gape, allowing for leakage.
Look for soft materials
Diaper rashes often occur when your child is sitting in their own waste. This can also cause infection. You will want to find a diaper that pulls their waste away from skin contact to avoid rashes as much as possible.
In addition, if the diaper’s materials are too harsh on your child’s skin, especially in the leg holes where there will be a lot of friction, you will find rashes forming, or simply red patches from the skin being irritated.
No matter how much you follow all the guidelines in picking the perfect diaper, your child will always have those unpleasant explosions that no diaper can contain. But you can still help prevent these as much as possible by coming as close to the best diaper as you can. But, the best diaper will have to be a mix of affordability, absorbency, and eco-friendliness.
Best Diapers For Babies
Luvs Ultra Leakguards
The diapers are made to be more absorbent than a regular diaper, a feature they patented as NightLock plus. This means that you can be confident that the diaper will lock in all moisture, away from your child’s skin. This will keep them from getting rashes from spending all night in a wet diaper.
The flexible and snug design of Luvs helps give your child the best fit, in order to avoid gaps in the diaper that could also lead to leaks.
The stretch sides of the diaper provide extra security. The best part is that they are able to be refastened, so if you didn’t quite get their diaper tight enough the first round, you don’t have to worry about compromising the stick by fastening the sides again.
Cons: Luvs are a diaper choice for those who are looking to save some money. While, they have been known to do their job, there are many cases where parents have had less than stellar experiences with this brand. While you are getting a great deal cost-wise, you should be fully aware of the compromise in quality. Pampers have gone beyond just creating a leakproof, super soft diaper. They have made their diapers the most comfortable and easy to use. When putting on the diaper, there are two flexible straps on either side that can be wrapped snuggly around your baby’s stomach. A cartoon character is strategically placed on the front of the diaper to help guide you to keep the straps evenly apart for a better fit. The front of the diaper is also dipped in sizes NB-2, in order to fit better around your child’s stomach, and umbilical cord area for a more comfortable fit. Your child will not feel wet with a layer specially designed to absorb all wetness away from your child’s skin. A wetness indicator on the outside of the diaper will help you be aware when it is time to change your child without having to sniff them, or do regular checks. Cons: If you have the extra money to invest, Pampers diapers are a very reliable diaper. While the have some great features, they still seem to have just as many leaks as similar brands for a lesser price. The cost seems to be reflected more in the design than the actual quality of the diaper itself. But, the design almost makes it worth the extra cost. While Swaddlers are advertised for their softness, Baby Dry are marketed as the driest option, with overnight protection. So, if Swaddlers doesn’t quite absorb enough for your child, Baby Dry is a better alternative for guaranteed protection. These are one of Pamper’s most absorbent diapers yet! They are able to create the extra absorbency through having three extra absorb channels, instead of the regular 2 layers of most diapers. Not only will the diaper absorb the liquid, but also pull it away from your child’s skin so they remain dry, and free from moisture rashes. These diapers have some similar features to the Swaddlers diaper. One of these features is the wetness indicator, to help you be aware of when your child needs to be changed. These diapers keep the soft material that is known of Pampers. In addition, the diapers are stretchy enough to fit comfortably and snuggly, yet remain tight enough to prevent leaks. Cons: This is the most absorbent option if you like the Pampers brand. Again, you will need to be alright with a higher price tag, for quality that can be found with cheaper competitor brands. The older versions of this diaper used to be good enough that parents would swear by them. Now, Pampers seem to be going down in quality, without reducing the price. The Little Snugglers style of Huggies is the best option for newborns, and those first few months. This is also the most protective Huggies style for sensitive skin. The Little Snugglers are soft and comfortable without compromising their security against leaks. The inner liner has small numbs that help remove all wetness away from your child’s skin. The waistband is pocketed in order to help avoid unnecessary messes.The Huggies Leak Lock ensures that your child will stay dry for up to 12 hours. Huggies tries to use premium materials for better comfort for your child. It is both hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. The premie and newborn sizes offer the added benefit of a dip in the front for your child’s healing belly button. For your convenience, the diaper has a wetness indicator on the outside. The wetness indicator is a yellow line on the outside that will change blue as the diaper become wetter. Cons: If you’d like better quality, without quite the price tag of some of the more expensive brands, this is a great middle ground. This diaper is especially great for newborns, and smaller babies due to its softness and support for infants. If your child is a couple months old, it may be time to look at a style with better coverage. This diaper is available in sizes Newborn to 6. They offer all the features you love most of Huggies. These include the 12 hour protection and the absorbing layers that keep your child dry. This diaper also has the wetness indicator to help you see when it is time to change your child. Size newborn offers a dip in the front for your child’s umbilical cord. Cons: These are a great budget-friendly option for those of you who are Huggies lovers. But, if you can afford to spend a little more, the other styles of Huggies may be a better choice, and definitely would be a higher quality. Seventh Generation strives to create the same peace of mind, without harmful chemicals, and with as natural of materials as possible. They are available in sizes Newborn to 6. These disposable diapers may appear simple and small at first. They are a neutral brown color, no design and no scent. But, this is because of their natural materials. The manufacturer did not use any dyes in creating this diaper, which left it with the brown of the raw materials. In addition, they did not bleach, or use chlorine with any part of the diaper. So, what did they use? They used an unbleached wood pulp among some other ingredients. Altogether, the diaper is able to retain just as much liquid as other brands, as well as a similar softness to regular disposable, but without the harmful chemicals. Cons: Seventh Generation is trying to mesh together the best of disposables with a more eco-friendly mentality that persuades some parents towards cloth. These diapers are free from most chemicals, and have been known to work just as well as some of the chemical-filled regular diapers when it comes to preventing leaks.
Pampers Swaddlers
Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers
Seventh Generation Baby Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
