Whether you’re a new mom, dad or carer looking for advice on baby basics, or an experienced parent looking for the best diapers for you and your little one, welcome to ‘Which Diapers Are Best?’, the one-stop advice shop for all things diapers and changing!
With so many diaper options in grocery stores and online, finding the right brand and variety for your baby can be challenging. From cloth diapers and reusable diapers to disposable diapers and biodegradable diapers, with more options than ever before, it’s easy to get confused. I want to break down the minefield that is a baby changing into simple and clear steps, helping you to choose the right diaper for you, and the right diaper for your little one. After all, a happy baby equals a happy you!
How many diapers will I change?
How often your little one will need to be changed will, of course, depend on their age.
Newborn – 1 Month
You’re going to be looking at between 10 and 12 changes per day when the baby is initially born. You can look forward to your baby pooping quite a lot, and peeing even more during this stage!
1 Month – 5 Months
At this point, you might be changing your baby slightly less – perhaps 8-10 times per day. This will differ depending on how the baby is fed; breastfed babies tend to have more wet diapers than formula-fed babies, simply because breast milk is easier for them to digest!
5 Months and Older
Luckily for parents, the number of poops your baby produces every day should decrease at this point, but you should still expect to change them around 8 times a day.
Suffice to say, you’re gonna be changing a baby a heck of a lot: anywhere from 8-12 times a day or more, which works out at about 70 diapers per week, 280 diapers per month, and, (deep breath), around 3360 diapers per year! I know, right.
With your baby’s delicate skin constantly touching diapers throughout the newborn to potty training stages, it’s so crucial to find a diaper brand and variety that works.
So what should you consider when deciding on the perfect diaper?
★ Cost ★
One of the main factors for most parents and carers when it comes to finding the right diaper is the cost of it. While we all want the best for our baby’s skin and the planet, some diapers with eco-credentials can set you back top dollar. On the other hand, some very cheap diapers might not be as effective at keeping baby dry and dealing with leaks, and they might also use harsh chemicals that could irritate the baby’s skin. But don’t worry; there are so many brands out there trying to minimize their impact on the planet, keep your baby dry and protect their skin, all while charging a fair, affordable price for their diapers!
It’s so easy to compare the cost when you buy online, especially through Amazon, as they state how much you’re paying per diaper, making it easy to decide what’s best for you and your budget!
★ Time ★
Another factor worth considering is time. While cloth diapers might be better for the planet, consider whether you’re going to have enough time in the day to deal with the contents of the diaper, wash it and dry it, ready for use again. If you have time, they’re of course a great option, but if you’re looking for convenience, disposable diapers are your best bet. They’re quick and easy, and there’s no need to worry about extra washing!
Biodegradable diapers are also a great choice for the planet, as large parts of them can be composted, but this will also take time out of your day, so it’s important to consider whether you have it!
★ Who will be changing diapers ★
When it comes to who’s changing your baby, it’s likely that it won’t just be down to you. Partners, family members, friends and nursery workers might be in charge of changing your baby at some point in their little lives, so you’ll need a diaper that’s also convenient for them. Cloth diapers can be great for use at home, but other people in your life who might need to change baby will probably prefer an easy-to-use disposable.
If you are planning on using cloth or reusable diapers, make sure you also find the right disposable diaper for your baby, so that others can change them with ease. They’re also way more convenient for long days out and for holidays, for pretty obvious ‘you don’t wanna be carrying poop around with you all day’ reasons.
★ Eco-friendly credentials ★
With more and more of us trying to minimize our impact on the world around us, it’s becoming increasingly important for brands to move towards an eco-friendly way of doing things. This isn’t surprising given that each parent or carer will use anything up to 3,500 disposable diapers a year!
So many brands are not only producing their diapers with natural materials, like super absorbent bamboo, but they’re produced in a way that minimizes waste. Many now implement no waste policies, where all waste from production is either reused or recycled.
If you’re looking to go a step further, biodegradable diapers are where it’s at! While very few are 100% compostable, many brands offer diapers which are partly biodegradable. Check out my article on the best biodegradable diapers for more information on which diapers can be composted, and how to start!
★ Quality ★
Regardless of whether you’re looking for hypoallergenic diapers, natural diapers or budget diapers, they’ve got to work for you and your baby! Unfortunately, finding quality diapers is a bit of a trial and error game as, while looking at reviews is a great way to find out how effective they are, what works for one baby might not work for another.
Look for diapers offering long periods of comfort and dryness for babies with super absorbent cores, leg cuffs (to prevent blowouts) and a snug fit. Even better, many companies offer satisfaction guarantees, so if you’re not satisfied with the quality, you’ll be refunded!
★ Skin Sensitivity ★
Regardless of whether your little one has particularly sensitive skin, we need to make sure we’re putting only the gentlest fabrics on our babies. But we of course have to be particularly careful if our babies are prone to rashes and irritation, which is why it’s great to go for hypoallergenic diapers, as these are made with sensitive skin in mind!
There are some fantastic hypoallergenic options on the market, promising to look after your little one without breaking the bank. It’s preferable, especially with hypoallergenic diapers, to look for a brand that’s open and transparent about what they use in their diapers. Look for ‘free from fragrances, dyes and lotions’ on the description, as these can easily irritate a baby’s skin.
★ Convenience ★
You might find a great diaper brand at your local health-food grocery store, but if you’re making special trips every week to buy them, it’s probably not the most convenient option. On the other hand, diapers you find in generic grocery stores tend to be the larger brands, who don’t often tick the eco-friendly box.
Finding the right diaper to suit you is arguably easiest online, as you can change the search terms to fit your preferences (biodegradable, natural, hypoallergenic) and websites like Amazon spell out exactly how much you’re paying per diaper in every pack. Not only do you have more of a variety of options online, but rather than lugging big packs of diapers back from the grocery store every week, they’re delivered straight to your door! When you’ve got a baby or two (or more!) to take care of, it’s one less thing to worry about. Plus, with subscription services you can often save money – like with the Amazon Family program, which offers 20% off diapers when you subscribe. It’s a no-brainer!
Best Baby Diaper Guides
It’s great to have so much choice as a parent when it comes to buying the right diapers for our little ones. But, having so much choice can be overwhelming. And they’re not exactly cheap, so you don’t wanna be buying pack after pack trying to search for that perfect product.
Allow me to take the guesswork out of diaper-buying with my handy guides. From biodegradable diapers to reusable swim diapers, below you’ll find everything you need to decide which brand is best for you. Looking for the best hypoallergenic diapers? Read my article to find out how brands compare. And check out my biodegradable diapers article for not only the best of the best when it comes to eco-friendly diapers but all of your questions about how they work answered.
Disposable Diaper Reviews
Most of us will probably be looking for some fabulous disposable diapers. Even if you use cloth diapers too, disposable diapers are so convenient for days out and travel that it’s worth having a few in your diaper bag.
Below, you’ll find individual reviews of some of the best disposable diaper brands on the market right now, with everything you need to know about their quality, eco-credentials, and cost. In each review, I examine how good the diaper is for a baby’s health, and how good the diaper is in terms of its effect on the environment, giving you the information you need to make an informed choice.
Diaper brands can vary wildly when it comes to the materials they use, and whether these are safe for babies and safe for the planet!
Everything you’ll need to change a diaper!
Best Diaper Bag
I guess this one goes without saying, but for any trips outside of the house, whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or a 2-week holiday, you’re gonna need a diaper bag. How much you put in it will depend on your trip of course, but your diaper bag should always be packed with the essentials: wipes, diapers, milk, food, extra clothes, etc. And for all of those essentials, a light but roomy diaper bag will be your best friend! This is especially true if you have twins; check out my best diaper bag for twins review for bags that won’t let you down.
Diaper Changing Kits For Changing Diapers On The Go
If you’re a frequent trip-taker or traveler, having a diaper changing kit on hand can be a lifesaver. It’s not always possible to get your little one to a bathroom with diaper-changing facilities when you’re out and about, so having everything you need with you will allow you to change your baby with no hassle, even at the most inconvenient of times.
A diaper changing kit usually includes a waterproof fordable changing mat with pockets and sections for all of the essentials: diaper, wipes, creams, etc. They’re easy to carry and use and won’t take up too much room in a diaper bag. With so many cool and cute diaper changing kits for parents on the go that you’re sure to find one that suits you!
Best Diaper Pails
When it comes to putting disposable diapers in the garbage, it’s not exactly convenient to make a trip to the garbage can outside every single time, especially when you’re gonna be changing diapers anything up to 12 (or more!) times a day. So a diaper pail – diaper garbage can for use indoors, essentially – is a must. Plus, they’re designed to lock in odors, which is a bonus for everyone in the house, let’s be honest.
When it comes to buying a diaper pail, it needs to be spacious inside so that you don’t have to worry about changing it constantly, the right size for your living space and able to lock in those odors, of course. Check out my top picks for diaper pails here!
Best Baby Wipes
Like diapers, there are now so many baby wipes on the market, with so much conflicting information about what’s best for babies. While some wipes contain plastic and other chemicals that could irritate your baby’s skin (and they’re not exactly great for the planet, either), other brands use only natural materials and ingredients and many are hypoallergenic, so suitable for little ones with sensitive skin. These kinds of wipes are, of course, preferable, although the cost is also a big factor to consider.
You can even buy biodegradable wipes now, which, if composted, are of course better for the environment. Saying that, whatever you do, do not compost poopy wipes! I guess I don’t have to explain why…
Check out my article on the best wipes for your little one!
The best changing table
Changing diapers can be challenging at the best of times, especially as your little one becomes stronger and stronger, and decides that, actually, they don’t really like being changed at all (cue crying, constant battles to keep them still and a few inevitable bodily fluid accidents). So a great changing table is essential, to make it easy for you, and (somewhat) pleasant for a baby when it comes to diaper-changing time.
Looking for the right one for you? I review the best ones here!
Best diaper rash cream
While we do everything as parents and carers to prevent diaper rash, having diaper rash cream at hand is super important. Different babies will react in various ways to materials used in diapers and wipes, so it’s best to have some effective diaper rash cream to hand just in case.
With so many available on the market, allow me to make buying a good diaper rash cream easy with my review of the best!
How To Change A Diaper
…. And repeat 12 times throughout the day….