Dr. Organic Mommy

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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?

Reference

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, JoonyaHealthy Baby (formerly Healthy Nest) , EcoPeaCoCoterie, 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

Image from Kudos

  • 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

Image from Andy Pandy

  • 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

Image from Joonya diapers

  • 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.

Image from Healthy NeImage from Healthy Baby

  • 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

ECOPEACO

Estimated cost per diaper with 180 box purchase, size 1 :

► .55 cents one time purchase

.50 cents with subscription

Image from EcoPeaCo.

  • 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

  • 1% for the Planet

  • Material felt rough

  • Fit wide in the middle area

  • Wetness Indicator

COTERIE

Estimated cost per diaper with 198 count box purchase, size 1 :

► .51 cents one time purchase

.45 cents with subscription

Image from Coterie

  • 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


MILLIE MOON

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