Best diapers for crawling baby – buying guide 2022

Do you need a special diaper for crawling babies?

Watching your little one start to shuffle and crawl is magical. But it also comes with some additional… inconveniences. You have to grow eyes in the back of your head and can’t turn around for a second without your little one somehow getting their hands on something expensive: the TV, your phone, the cat, etc, etc.

When your little one starts to crawl, you also need to think about their diapers. Have they got what it takes to handle these new challenges? Will the tabs stand the test, or will the diaper fall off at the first bum shuffle? Will the leg cuffs keep the pee at bay? And the rest.

Being a parent is hard, and your diaper needs to work even harder.

Let’s take a look at the best diapers for crawling babies…

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Diaper features to look for crawling babies

If your little one is on the move, you’re gonna need a good diaper. All that wriggling and shuffling will put their diaper to the test. And if it fails? Their diaper may come off, leak or be uncomfortable for your little one. Or all of the above, of course.

So what should you look for when you’re trying to find the best diaper for your crawling baby?

• Proper Fit 

With crawling babies, fit is everything. If their diaper is too small or too big, it won’t stand the baby-on-the-move test. Their diaper should be snug, without gaping holes around the waist or legs. 

You might also need to decide between pull-up diaper diapers and tab fit diapers.

Some parents find that stretchy-waisted pull-up diapers are better suited for their little one when they start to crawl, cruise and walk. Tab diapers work completely fine, of course, but you’ll need to make sure the tabs are strong!

• Superior absorbency

If your baby-on-the-move is anything like mine, changing their diaper can be tough. Getting them to sit still is a near-impossible task, so you naturally change them a little less as they get older. 

That means that their diaper has to work even harder to keep them dry, so they need to be super absorbent.

• Leak guards

Most diapers on the market feature leak guards, including an extra layer around the legs that can be pulled out as you fit the diaper on to your little one. They provide extra support when it comes to keeping the pee at bay!

Some diapers feature quite a high back sheet, to prevent pee (and other things!) riding out of the top of the diaper.

• Free from harmful chemicals: fragrances, dyes, chlorine, phthalates

It’s so important to find non-toxic diapers, at all stages of your baby’s diaper journey. Many diapers contain added chemicals like fragrances, lotions and phthalates, which are terrible for your baby’s sensitive skin, and their health in general.

Diaper brands like Dyper and Ecoriginals have got your back, with their toxin-free diaper offerings. Check out some of my other favorite non-toxic diapers here.

Read More: The Best Non-Toxic Diapers For Your Baby: Chemical-Free, Hypoallergenic, And Environmentally Friendly

• Softness

As your little one shuffles and crawls and cruises, it’s more important than ever that their diaper is soft on their skin. Otherwise, it’s not gonna be comfortable for them.

Most diapers claim that they’re soft and we all know that that’s not necessarily true! To find out, it’s a case of checking user reviews and, ultimately, giving ‘em a go.

Main Things to consider when buying diapers for crawling babies

Here are some really important things to consider when looking for the best diapers for crawling babies. 

• Correct Size

It sounds obvious, but it’s so important to find the right size for your little one.

You’ll find diaper size guides on each brand’s websites and they can also be found on the individual packs.

If your little one is in-between sizes, it’s generally recommended to get the size up!

Read Next: The Complete Diaper Size Guide: Chart Of Most Popular Brands

• When to Move up a Diaper Size

If your little one is experiencing lots of leaks or you’re struggling to close the diaper tabs, it’s time for a size up!

This doesn’t always marry up with their weight, but every baby is different. 

Top 5 best diapers for crawling babies

Kudos Diapers —
Best Diapers for Active Babies with patent-pending DoubleDry™ technololy

Kudos diapers are the super-fancy new kid on the block, made by none other than MIT engineers! Kudos diapers feature DoubleDry™ technology which means that their diapers have two layers of protection instead of one like in most diapers. Extra layer to prevent poos and pees explosion is exactly what babies on the move need.

They’re made with mostly plant-based materials, are hypoallergenic, and are completely free of harsh chemicals like chlorine, lotions, fragrances and phthalates.

They’re lined with 100% clean cotton, and they’re soft on your little one’s skin. That’s great news for little wrigglers! 

Something unique about Kudos diapers is their stimulating patterns. They’re designed to pique the interest of your baby, and are appropriate to their age and stage. Only the best from MIT engineers.

Kudos diapers are presented in sustainably-sourced packaging, which is great news for the environment.

The bottom line

Kudos diapers were created with the help of MIT engineers. If that doesn’t inspire confidence, nothing will! Their patent-pending DoubleDry™ tech is great for crawling babies. As they learn to move and shake, the last thing parents and carers want is babies poop and pee getting out of their diaper. It’s great that Kudos diapers are free of toxins and made with plant-based materials.

Dyper Diapers—
Best Non-Toxic bamboo diaper for crawling babies

Dyper is one of my favorite diaper brands on the market… and not just because of the name!

These bamboo baby diapers don’t mess around when it comes to providing the best for our little ones’ skin, and making an effort to protect the planet. Their outer and inner layers are made with super soft and absorbent bamboo, which is stretchy and comfortable for your crawling baby.

Described as ‘more like yoga pants’, these biodegradable eco diapers contain absolutely no fragrances, lotions, phthalates, chlorine or latex, so it’s safe to say they’re hypoallergenic. The company even purchases carbon offsets for each person who subscribes to their diaper delivery service.

And they have pretty brilliant reviews – they average 4.5 out of 5 in over 1440 reviews on Amazon, where parents and carers say they’re soft and effective. Some reviews do say they run a little big though, so that’s worth bearing in mind.

Related Post: Dyper Diapers Review: Eco-Friendly, Skin-Friendly And Bank Account-Friendly

You can buy Dyper diapers on their website, where you can subscribe and save. They’re available on Amazon too.

The bottom line

Dyper diapers are impressive on all fronts. They tick every box, from being strong and effective for even the wiggliest of babies, to steering clear of harsh chemicals to using biodegradable and compostable materials. 

Ecoriginals—
Best Eco-Friendly Diapers for babies on the move

Ecoriginals diapers are great for crawling babies thanks to their comfortable, stretchy waistband. They’re designed to fit each baby’s unique body, and they’re super soft to boot. They also feature a 3D leak guard, designed to prevent leaks on the sides, as well as breathable fibers.

Read Next: Ecoriginals Diapers Review, 2023: The Greenest Diaper On The Market?

These diapers aren’t just great for crawling babies; they’re great for the planet too! Made with 90% biodegradable materials, these eco-friendly diapers are leading the way when it comes to protecting the environment. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re wrapped in 100% compostable packaging, which Ecoriginals say is a ‘world first’!

Ecoriginals is currently offering $20 savings on their trial pack. Check it out here.

The Bottom Line

Ecoriginals diapers are a great choice for crawling babies. They adapt to each baby’s unique body shape, feature premium leakguards, free of harsh chemicals and, if that wasn’t enough, they’re super soft. And that’s because they’re made with a high percentage of plant-based materials. 

It’s so impressive that 90% of the diaper is biodegradable. It’s really a no-brainer.

Healthynest—
Best EWG-verified plant-based diaper for crawling babies

The only diaper verified by the Environmental Working Group EWG, Healthynest diapers are making waves in the industry.

To be EWG-verified, a diaper has to steer completely clear of any harmful practices and toxins. So this is pretty impressive.

And they’re not just free of toxic chemicals. They’re made with premium cotton, are super absorbent and super soft, promising up to 12 hours of protection.

The bottom line

With up to 12 hours of dryness protection and super soft materials, Healthynest diapers are great for little movers and shakers. They’re the first diaper brand verified by the Environmental Working Group and even come in plant-based packaging. 

Eco by Naty Diapers

Eco by Naty diapers are probably the most recognized ‘eco-friendlier’ diapers on the market. The brand tells us that all of the material on the diaper that touches your baby’s skin is 0% oil-plastic, it is plant-based plastic called plant-based polyethylene. Of course, that leaves some percentage made from oil-based plastic, but it’s better than nothing!

Eco by Naty’s diapers are hypoallergenic, free of harsh chemicals and are designed to adapt to your little one’s unique shape. Reviews aren’t as good as similar brands, though.

The bottom line

The good thing about Eco by Naty diapers is that they’re readily available. You’ll probably find them in some grocery stores, and they’re available online. 

They were one of the first eco-friendlier diaper brands, but it does seem like their rivals have overtaken them somewhat. They’re still a better choice than brands like Pampers and Huggies though. They promise the same performance, but without the harsh chemicals and toxins you often find with these brands.

Mama Bear Plush Protection—
Best Budget-friendly diaper for crawling babies

Amazon’s Mama Bear diapers are a popular choice with parents. They’re very budget-friendly, and you can get them delivered to your door (the same or the next day, if you’re a Prime member). 

Their relatively-new Plush Protection variety is very absorbent thanks to FullProtect Core dryness technology. They also features strong grip tabs for a secure fit, which is great news for babies on the move. Plush Protection diapers promise 12 hours of leak protection.

They’re made with some sustainably-sourced pulp, but we’re not told how much. Most of the diaper is made of oil-derived plastic. It’s great that they’re free of latex, lotions and fragrances, but there’s no word on the use of phthalates. So it’s safe to say they’re probably used.

You can save money on Mama Bear products with the Amazon Family Program. It’s free for Prime members.

The bottom line

Mama Bear Plush Protection diapers are great value and it’s good that they’re free of latex, fragrances and lotions. With up to 12 hours of leak protection and super strong grip tabs, they’re more than suitable for little moves. It’s just a shame that they might contain phthalates.

Why aren’t Pampers Cruisers or Huggies Little Movers on my list of best diapers for crawling babies?

Pampers Cruisers and Huggies Little Movers routinely top ‘the best’ lists when it comes to diapers for crawling babies. So why aren’t they included in mine?

There’s no doubt that Pampers and Huggies are effective. There’s a reason why they’re two of the biggest brands in the world. But Pampers and Huggies are way behind the times when it comes to looking after our little ones’ skin, and the planet. 

The vast majority of their diaper varieties are made mainly with petroleum-based plastics. And the majority of their diapers include completely unnecessary chemicals, like phthalates, fragrances and lotions. 

These toxins are potentially harmful to your baby’s health, and should be avoided. 

More on this topic: Disposable Diapers: What Are They Made From, And Are They Safe?

Pampers Cruisers—
The most famous diapers for crawling babies, but are not the best in my books

Pampers tells us that their Cruisers diapers adapt to your little one’s legs, waist, and bottom, providing great leak protection. The brand says that their diapers are hypoallergenic, but the use of this term isn’t regulated. They clearly include fragrances and lotions, which aren’t good news for sensitive skin.

The bottom line

Pampers Cruisers are made for crawling babies. But there are lots of similar diapers on the market – ones that don’t use fragrances and lotions and make some kind of an effort to switch to plant-based materials.

Huggies Little Movers—

Huggies Little Movers are made for little ones on the move. They feature double grip strips and a snug waistband to keep them secure, dry and protected. 

Like Cruisers, Little Movers don’t make any effort to use plant-based materials and they’re not hypoallergenic. Huggies doesn’t tell us that they’re free of phthalates, and lotions, which leads me to think they’re probably used.

The bottom line

When it comes to keeping your little mover dry, Huggies Little Movers diapers have got you covered. But that’s just not enough anymore. With so many strong and effective diapers on the market, we can afford to be picky when it comes to ticking the ‘healthy’ and ‘eco-friendlier’ boxes too.

There are better diaper varieties out there for crawling babies: Kudos and Ecoriginals to name just two!

Another way to find the best diaper for your crawling baby: Diaper Dabbler

If you don’t want to commit to a particular brand straight away, give Diaper Dabbler a go. 

This amazing diaper service lets you try several brands without buying huge packs, giving you the chance to test different brands on your little one. 

Their Teetering Toddler diaper variety pack is a great choice for babies on the move. For just under 35 bucks, you can try 10 diaper brands in size 3 (for weight 16-28lbs), including:

• Up & Up (Target)
• Earth and Eden
• Huggies Little Movers
• Luvs
• Pampers Cruisers
• Eco by Naty
• Seventh Generation
• Babyganics
• Abby & Finn
• Bambo

It’s a chance to try a bunch of different brands, for a fraction of the cost!

When your little one is ready to crawl, you’re gonna need a diaper with as much pizazz as your little one!

I’m going against the grain with my best diaper for little movers. Forget Huggies and Pampers… Kudos is where it’s at. 

These made-by-MIT-engineers diapers are made with a much bigger percentage of plant-based materials, are completely free of harsh chemicals and are super soft on your baby’s sensitive skin.

They even feature stimulating patterns, appropriate to the age of the little one wearing the diaper! Talk about clever.

They feature two extra absorbent layers, are hypoallergenic and they have great reviews. They even use sustainably-sourced packaging, if that wasn’t enough. 

So move over Little Movers and Cruisers. It’s time for Pampers and Huggies to regroup, rethink and change their outdated ways.

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