Let’s Talk: Non-Toxic Diapers
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Are you expecting? Do you have a baby in diapers? Then this post is for you! There are so many diaper options out there, and the sheer number of choices can leave a new or expecting parent’s mind spinning. Whether you are suffering from first trimester morning sickness and exhaustion, or are in the throws of early toddlerhood, the last thing you need to be worrying about is which diaper to pick. That’s why I put together my top 4 non-toxic diapers, along with everything you need to know to make the most informed decision for you and your family.
If you are short on time, you’ll find a brief overview of my top two diapers below. But if you read on, you will see that I include my top 4 favorite non-toxic diapers. So, no matter where you are, at home or on the road, you can find a diaper brand that works for you. Some of the diaper brands below are available exclusively on their websites, while others can be found at your local grocery store.
A Quick Look at My Favorites
Here are my top two non-toxic diapers and my favorite wipes. For a detailed review of all 4 diapers on my list, please read below in each drop-down item.
Favorite Diapers: HealthyBaby Diapers
- If you are looking for diapers with all of the official certifications, HealthyBaby’s are the first and only diapers to be EWG verified. This means they are free of over 2,000 chemicals and other nasty ingredients, are Totally Chlorine Free (TCF), and use FSC Certified wood pulp. They are incredibly soft and thin compared to other diapers on this list, and yet work surprisingly well. And they fit true to size.
- Where to buy: Healthybaby.com; Target.com and in select Target Stores
- Cost: One pack of diapers costs $30. A subscription that includes five packs of diapers and 4 packs of wipes (one month’s supply) costs $130.20
- Wipes: Like their diapers, these wipes are EWG verified. Overall, I think they do a good job of cleaning up, but I have found them to be on the drier side compared to other options on the market. They also occasionally leave some fiber residue behind if the diaper is particularly messy.
Favorite Budget Diapers: Pura Diapers
- Pura’s diapers have an ingredients list very similar to HealthyBaby’s, but at a fraction of the cost. They are TCF, use FSC Certified wood pulp in their diaper core, and they are Allergy Certified and UK Allergy Approved. They are also very soft and lightweight like HealthyBaby. I have found that they work very well, and the quality is unbeatable at their price point.
- Where to buy: mypura.com, Amazon Prime, Walmart.com (online only)
- Cost: One pack of diapers costs approximately $10 on Amazon Prime. A subscription that includes 6 packs of diapers and 4 packs of wipes costs $63.52 from Walmart (One month’s supply), or approximately $75.45 on Amazon Prime for 6 packs of diapers and 10 packs of wipes.
- Wipes: Pura’s wipes are EWG verified, but they are the thinnest wipes option on my list. However, despite being thin, they do a decent job of cleaning up messes without rubbing baby’s bottom raw or getting all over your hand.
Favorite Wipes: Coterie
Coterie’s wipes are by far my favorite, and if I was going to pick a diaper solely on the quality of their wipes, this would be it. They are EWG verified and are the largest and most moist wipes I have used, which makes clean up a breeze. I never feel like they are rubbing my baby’s bottom raw, and because of their size and wetness level, I find myself using fewer for each diaper change.
Why Do Non-Toxic Diapers Matter?
Regulation in the diaper industry is scarce. Aside from being required to test diapers for lead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require diaper manufactures to test for harmful chemicals in either diapers or the materials. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they are not required to disclose ingredients or materials lists. As you may have already experienced, this can make it extremely frustrating to find safe options for your baby.1
On average, your baby will spend the first two or three years in diapers or pull-ups. That is a long time, and we want that time to be as comfortable and safe for our babies as possible. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it is constantly absorbing toxins from the environment around you. But your baby’s skin is even more sensitive and open to absorbing these toxic chemicals than yours is. A recent study revealed that the problem with disposable diapers is that many of them contain higher levels of phthalates than common commercial plastic products. There are also many studies linking excess exposure to these endocrine disruptors in plastic with an overall decline in reproductive health. Additionally, many disposable diapers emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can lead to kidney, liver, and nervous system damage after long-term exposure.2 Why would we want that resting against our baby’s most sensitive area for 2-3 years or potentially longer?
What to Look for in Non-Toxic Diapers
Here are the top characteristics to look for when selecting a non-toxic diaper:
- A diaper that is Total Chlorine Free (TCF)
- This refers to the method in which the wood pulp in the core of the diaper is dyed. The majority of the diapers on the market today are Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). Both TCF and ECF are safer alternatives to traditional chlorine bleaching, but TCF does not use any chlorine in its bleaching process. Instead the method relies on either an increased amount of hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, or ozone to accomplish the bleaching. Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) uses a chlorine derivative like chlorine dioxide, which may cause skin, nose, or throat irritation.2
- A diaper that uses FSC Certified wood pulp or organic bamboo
- A diaper that is free of Parabens, phthalates, fragrances, latex, alcohol, lotions, rubber, dyes, pesticides, chlorine bleaching, VOCs, or optical brighteners.
Another thing to consider when selecting a non-toxic diaper is the wetness indicator. This is something that is relatively new in the disposable diaper industry, and many diaper companies have begun including these indicators. However, mass adoption of a new feature does not necessarily mean that feature is safe for our little ones. Many wetness indicators are just another place for hidden chemicals and harmful substances. There is a chemical reaction taking place when the moisture or acidity from urine reacts with the colored strip. So, while it is definitely a convenient option, I suggest looking for diapers without wetness indicators or reaching out to a company to find out what their wetness indicator is made from.
A Note on Cloth Diapers
For the ultimate non-toxic diaper, I suggest considering organic cotton cloth diapers. The disposable diapers I am recommending here are free of many of the harmful substances found in traditional disposable diapers. But, with organic cotton as the only ingredient in a cloth diaper (depending on the style of cloth diaper), you can’t get much more non-toxic than that. When I was pregnant with my first, I considered using cloth diapers because I wanted to go as natural as possible. But as someone who is not particularly fond of laundry, I knew that I would rather utilize a non-toxic disposable diaper than be bogged down with extra laundry. But everyone has their own preferences, so if you are looking for the most natural and non-toxic diaper option and aren’t afraid of a little extra laundry, then cloth diapers may be the right choice for you.
If you are interested in cloth diapers, here are a few organic cotton options:
- Esembly (Fitted)
- Green Mountain Diapers (Prefold Cloth Diapers)
- Healthy Baby Cloth Diaper
My Top 4 Non-Toxic Diapers
HealthyBaby
What I Love About Them: These diapers are TCF, use FSC Certified wood pulp, and are EWG Verified, ensuring they are free of over 2,000 toxic chemicals and additives. They are incredibly soft and work great despite being so lightweight and they never leave my son feeling sticky or clammy. If you want to give HealthyBaby a try, click here for $20 off your first order. (Referral Code).
What I Don’t: These are definitely one of the more expensive options on the market. However, they do work well, and for some, the EWG Verification may be worth the peace of mind.
Sizes Offered:
Sizes 1 (6 to 12 lbs) through size 6 (46 lbs and up).
Size Comparison
I have found the diapers to fit true to size. My children are on the higher end of the growth chart and these fit well.
Diaper Pant Offered
Yes, size 3 (12-18 lbs) through size 8 (46 lbs and up).
Wipes Review:
Just like the diaper, the wipes are EWG Verified. Compared to other wipes I have tested, these are on the drier side. I have found that they can be rougher than other brands and tend to leave fiber pieces behind.
Wetness Indicator
HealthyBaby does not use wetness indicators for any of their diapers. As the only EWG Verified Diaper, they are aware of some of the potential concerns with using wetness indicators and have chosen to not use them, despite the convenience for parents. However, they are considering adding them in the future, if they can determine it can be done without potential reproductive harm.
Materials List
HealthyBaby provides a full breakdown of all of the materials used in their diapers based on size and style. Click here to see the full material list.
Where to Buy:
HealthyBaby.com, Target.com and Target Stores
Cost:
An individual pack of HealthyBaby diapers costs $30 online or at Target. A monthly subscription through HealthyBaby includes 5 packs of diapers (total number of diapers ranges between 130-210 depending on size) and 4 packs of wipes (256 wipes total), for a total cost of $130.20.
Pura Diapers
What I Love About Them: Pura diapers’ ingredients list looks almost identical to Healthy Baby’s, but at almost half the price. They are TCF, use FSC certified wood pulp and are free of all parabens, phthalates, fragrances, latex, alcohol, lotions, rubber, dyes, pesticides, chlorine bleaching, VOCs, or optical brighteners. They are very soft while also feeling more substantial, and they are UK Allergy Approved and Allergy Certified. I have not had any leaks or blow-outs when using these diapers, and they absorb very well, keeping baby dry and comfortable.
What I Don’t: There is nothing I dislike about Pura’s diapers; they perform great and their price point is excellent.
Sizes Offered:
Size 1 (4-11 lbs) through Size 7 (33 lbs and up)
Size Comparison
Fit is similar to HealthyBaby, and seems to fit true to size.
Diaper Pant Offered
Yes, Size 5 (27 – 38 lbs) through Size 9 (48 lbs and up)
Wipes Review:
Overall, they work well and are EWG Verified. But, these are definitely the thinnest ones I have tried, and I am not a huge fan of the packaging. There is no easy-to-open-and-close plastic door like many companies use these days. However, despite not having that feature on the packaging, they don’t dry out super easily.
Wetness Indicator
Sizes 1 and 2 have wetness indicators while 3 and up do not. When I reached out to Pura, they said their wetness indicator is made from an adhesive with color changing pigments.
Materials List
Absorbent core is made from super absorbent polymer and wood pulp (100% sourced from sustainably managed forests, FSC Certified® and Totally Chlorine-Free). The top sheet, acquisition layer, and core wrap are made of plant-based polyethylene and polypropylene. Leg cuffs are a mix of Plant-based polyethylene, polypropylene, adhesive and elastic polyurethane. Closing System is a mix of Polypropylene, polyethylene and adhesive. Backsheet: Plant-based polyethylene, calcium carbonate, adhesive and printed ink. And the outer cover includes Organic cotton, polyethylene and polyester. – from Pura.com
Where to Buy:
Pura.com, Walmart.com (sold online only), Amazon Prime
Cost:
An individual pack of Pura Diapers costs between $10-$12 on Amazon Prime and Walmart.com. I tried a subscription through Amazon Prime and was able to get 6 packs of diapers (total number of diapers ranges between 102-192 depending on size) and ten packs of wipes (600 wipes total) for a total of $75.45. Through Walmart.com, you can get 6 packs of diapers and 4 packs of wipes for $63.52.
Freestyle
What I Love About Them: FreeStyle is the tree-free diaper, using 100% organic bamboo in its absorbent core. Compared to other diapers I have used, these diapers are definitely the roomiest. They are very absorbent and are free of over 43 harmful chemicals, are TCF, and use FSC Certified bamboo. For complete transparency, they have added their lab results here.
What I Don’t: While I like these as a good back-up diaper that I can get from the store, these diapers are not as soft as other brands. I have also had more diaper leaks with these ones, especially when I have had a very active baby.
Sizes Offered:
Size 1 (8 – 14 lbs) through Size 6 (35 lbs and up).
Size Comparison
Between the four options, Freestyle is definitely the roomiest.
Diaper Pant Offered
None
Wipes Review:
Freestyle’s wipes are EWG Verified and are tree-free. In my opinion, they are my second favorite after Coterie’s. They are thick, large, and glide easily as they clean up any messy diaper. Their packaging includes the easy-to-open-and-shut door so that they do not dry out. And they do not leave fibers behind when cleaning up a messy diaper.
Wetness Indicator
FreeStyle does use wetness indicators on all sizes of their diapers. When I reached out to ask what their wetness indicator was made of, they said that it was made with a special type of glue provided by Henkel, a trusted supplier of high-quality adhesives. According to them, the glue is designed to be safe and effective for indicating when it is time for a diaper change.
Materials List
As stated on their website, this diaper is made from their proprietary tree-free, BambooTek™ core (100% bamboo pulp and superabsorbent polymer), performance driven non-woven fabrics (polypropylene and polyethylene), water-soluble, toxin-free inks, and some elastic (spandex, polypropylene and polyethylene) to hold it all together.
Where to Buy:
Where to buy: Freestyle.world (This is an affiliate link, or use LADENBOD at check out for $10 off your first purchase.), Grove, Amazon, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods and others
Freestyle is a great option to look for in your local grocery store. Check their store locater to find a location near you.
Cost:
An individual pack of FreeStyle Diapers costs between $13-$15. A monthly subscription through Freestyle.world includes 6 packs of diapers (total number of diapers ranges between 120-204 depending on size) and 4 packs of wipes (288 wipes total) for a total of $105.00.
Coterie Diapers
What I Love About Them: I used Coterie for quite some time with my second child. I was actually shocked by how soft they were and they are very padded. They work great and are super absorbent; I don’t think I’ve ever had a leak with Coterie diapers. Their sizing fits well and even when the diaper is very full, baby’s bottom is always much drier than other diapers I have used in the past that would leave baby feeling slightly sticky or damp.
What I Don’t: They are quite a bit thicker than the other options in my list and they are definitely the bulkiest of the four.
Sizes Offered:
Newborn, Size 1 (under 10 lbs) through size 7 (41 lbs and up).
Size Comparison
Coterie is on the snugger side, but because of their extremely soft nature, it never feels like they are uncomfortable for baby.
Diaper Pant Offered
Yes, Size 3 (14 – 24 lbs) through Size 6 (33 – 62 lbs).
Wipes Review:
Coterie’s wipes are by far my favorite of these four brands. They are the largest wipes by far, so when their website claims they are 30% bigger than their competitors, it’s true and it makes a big difference. But the best thing about these wipes is their high moisture content. Prior to having kids, I never would have thought that the moisture content of a wipe mattered, but it does, especially when dealing with large and stinky diapers. A lot of other wipes that I have tried are very thin, rough, and honestly, pretty dry, like I would be better off with a wet microfiber cloth or paper towel than using other brands. They are also EWG Verified.
Wetness Indicator
Coterie uses wetness indicators on all sizes of their diapers. When I reached out and asked what they used for their wetness indicator, they said that the exact make up is confidential. However, they said their wetness indicator was in fact free of quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), fluorinated compounds, or bromocresol green. And as an added reassurance, the wetness indicator is applied to the inner layer of the diaper and designed to never come into contact with baby’s delicate skin.
Materials List
Absorbent core made of sodium polyacrylate (SAP) and Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) wood pulp from sustainably managed forests (FSC). Backsheet made from polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene. Topsheet made of polypropylene. High loft nonwoven acquisition layer made of polyester. Fastening system made of polypropylene/polyethylene. Adhesives, elastics, wetness indicator. – From Coterie.com
Where to Buy:
Where to buy: Coterie.com, Amazon.com, Pottery Barn Kids, Whole Foods, Erewhon, Wegmans, DoorDash
Coterie is another great option to look for in your local grocery store. Check their store locater to find a location near you.
Cost:
An individual pack of Coterie diapers costs $20. A monthly subscription from Coterie includes 6 packs of diapers (total number of diapers ranges between 96-196 depending on size) and 4 packs of wipes (224 wipes total) for a total of $115.00.
That’s All Folks
I hope this list of my top 4 non-toxic diapers will aid you in making the right choice for you and your little one. Ultimately, the diaper brand that you decide is best for your family is the one that checks off all of your boxes. I put this post together as a quick overview of these four diaper brands so that you have everything at your fingertips to make a decision when looking for a non-toxic disposable diaper.
Interested in more?
If you have more non-toxic diapers that you love and want me to test out and review, drop a comment below or send me a message. Ladenbod is here to make your goal of a natural life simple, and I would love to check out more brands and help you make the best informed decision for you and your family.
