Everything You Need to Know About Diapers
In 2019, 🇫🇷France’s ANSES agency tested some of the best-selling disposable diapers in Europe, and found 38 “very severe hazard” chemicals like:
☠️ PAH - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (a carcinogen)
☠️ dioxins (potent endocrine disrupters)
… on the heels of prior reports that also found pesticides and harmful VOC’s.
😱 The agency estimates that over 14 million European children could be affected - and that’s 🇪🇺Europe, where chemicals are more heavily regulated…
👋 Before you panic - we don’t know how much of these chemicals are actually absorbed into the body via diapers, however, we know that:
1️⃣ occlusion encourages the absorption of some chemicals through skin - and diapers act like occlusives
2️⃣ the skin in the perineum is thin and therefore absorption may be easier
🥇Cloth diapers are best - but it’s not for everyone 😅
🛒 If you are shopping for disposable diapers, look for:
✅ Fragrance-free and free of phthalates, PFAs.
✅ Minimal plastic
✅ Unbleached/chlorine-free
✅ Plain, pattern-free (to avoid dyes
☝️We included the ones we like in the slides above.
👋 What brand of diaper is your favorite?
Disposable Diapers
I recently shared my favorite cloth diaper products and the process for using them. And while I stand by that it is really not as much work or as intimidating as it may seem, I also appreciate that many of you are still more inclined to use disposable diapers. Ultimately, I always say you have to do what is best for you and your family. Before choosing to use cloth diapers, I researched and tried all of the disposable options out there and am sharing what I found to be the best.
I personally use Kudos diapers when traveling. I love that they are designed so that zero plastic touches the baby as they are lined with 100% cotton and are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. My other recommendations include Andy Pandy Kids, Joonya, Healthy Baby (formerly Healthy Nest) , EcoPeaCo, Coterie, and MillieMoon*.
KUDOS
Estimated cost per diaper with 216 count box purchase, size 1 :
► .41 cents one time purchase
► .33 cents with code DRORGANICMOMMY (one time use coupon)
► .36 cents with subscription
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
100% cotton lining
Chlorine-free
No fragrance, no lotions, no dyes, no plastic touching baby’s skin
Wetness indicator
ANDY PANDY
Estimated cost per diaper with 108 box purchase, size small :
► .43 cents one time purchase
► .41 cents with subscription
100% bamboo viscose for the top and back sheet; AndyPandy assures no use of harmful chemical pesticides to treat the bamboo
Aloe liner
Hypoallergenic and antibacterial
Free of chlorine, alcohol, phthalates, latex, PVC, and TBT
Wetness indicator
JOONYA
Estimated cost per diaper with 168 box purchase, size 3 (smallest size):
► .62 cents one time purchase
► .57 cents with subscription
Topsheet 100 & natural skin to skin contact made from GMO free PLA (corn starch based) and Green PE (sugarcane based) renewable materials
Core made from 100% chlorine free wood fluff and super absorbent polymer beads. Wood fluff made from responsibly sourced Forest Stewardship Council (FSC MIX) certified wood pulp
Free of chlorine, parabens, latex, phthalates, perfumes & heavy metals.
Bleached safely with oxygen and ozone
No wetness indicator
HEALTHY BABY
Cost per diaper for pack of 42, size 1 :
► .72 cents one time purchase
► Subscription option includes diapers and wipes, therefore the cost per diaper is not calculated.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
EWG verified
Allergy Certified
Free of chlorine, fragrances, latex, lotions, parabens, phthalates, optical brighteners, 2,800+ other banned ingredients, see EWG’s full banned ingredient list
Can have leaks
Side tapes do not reattach properly
No wetness indicator
Estimated cost per diaper with 180 box purchase, size 1 :
► .55 cents one time purchase
► .50 cents with subscription
Made with organic, FSC-certified bamboo pulp.
Hypoallergenic; designed for sensitive skin with a light touch of aloe.
Fragrance-free with no harsh chemicals like chlorine, parabens, phthalates or formaldehyde
Material felt rough
Fit wide in the middle area
Wetness Indicator
Estimated cost per diaper with 198 count box purchase, size 1 :
► .51 cents one time purchase
► .45 cents with subscription
Dermatologist tested, National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance
Third party tested
Free of chlorine bleaching, fragrance, lotion, latex, rubber, dyes, alcohol, heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, VOCs, and optical brighteners
They don't leak
Very soft
Wetness Indicator
Estimated cost per diaper with 108 box purchase , size 1 :
► .26 cents one time purchase
*In recent weeks, Millie Moon has changed their ingredients from totally chlorine free (TCF) to elemental chlorine-free diapers (ECF). ECF are bleached without elemental chlorine, but chlorine derivatives are still used in the process, whereas totally chlorine-free diapers (TCF) are processed without any chlorine compounds whatsoever. TCF is the safer choice for both babies and the environment. While there are still a lot of upsides to this brand, this significantly impacts my recommendation.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
Fragrance free, no lotions, no latex
Secure tabs and high waistband
Dermatest certified, very soft
Wetness indicator