Best Diapers for Newborns

Babylist parents love Pampers Swaddlers, and considering all the great features these disposable diapers boast, it’s clear to see why. Swaddlers are soft, comfy and flexible. They feature a wetness indicator and a cut-out for the umbilical cord so you won’t have to worry about irritating that sensitive area. And, best of all, they’re extra absorbent, making for fewer blowouts—and less laundry.

Wondering which brand of diaper is going to work for your newborn? (And for you?) Meet the Babylist Diaper Box, the diaper sampler bundle that lets you try before you (over) buy. The box includes a pack each of size one diapers and wipes from The Honest Company, Dyper and Coterie—101 diapers and 208 wipes in all. All three brands are popular, eco-friendly and free of chlorine, fragrances, parabens and other stuff you don’t want touching your baby’s skin.

Diapers don’t come cheap, especially during those newborn days when you’re going through up to 10 or so a day. Parent’s Choice (Walmart’s store brand) diapers come in at an affordable price but don’t sacrifice on quality or absorbency. We love the breathability, wetness indicator, super absorbent core and the special shape contoured to avoid the umbilical cord area.

If you love Pampers Swaddlers but want to avoid added chemicals and fragrances, the Pure line may be your go-to choice. Free of chlorine bleaching, scents, parabens and latex, these diapers are made with premium cotton and plant-based fibers so they’re gentle on your newborn’s skin but still ultra absorbent. They provide up to 12 hours of leak protection and feature a wetness indicator strip to minimize the number of times you’ll have to peek in baby’s diaper to see if they’re ready for a change.

It is possible to find a disposable diaper that’s soft, absorbent and friendly to the environment. Danish brand Bambo diapers are made through a sustainable manufacturing process. They use high-quality, natural ingredients and don’t add chemicals, parabens, dyes or perfumes. (Parents rave that Bambo diapers don’t ever cause diaper rash on their little ones.) They’re flexible and breathable, and do a great job of keeping baby fresh and dry.

What can we say—we’re a sucker for giraffes, rocket ships, strawberries and the myriad other ridiculously cute prints available in Honest diapers. We’re also a sucker for the safety, softness and absorbency the diapers provide. Made from naturally derived and sustainable materials, Honest diapers are gentle on delicate newborn skin and offer great leak protection. They’ve available by the pack or via a customizable subscription service.

Parent-favorite brand Huggies is now in the mix when it comes to “less is more” diaper trend. Made from plant-based materials and free of harsh ingredients, Special Delivery diapers are hypoallergenic and don’t contain fragrance, parabens or elemental chlorine. They offer many of the same features parents love about regular Huggies (leak lock system, wetness indicator, 12-hour protection and a soft, flexible fit) and come in cute designs.

Baby skin is pretty delicate, especially during the newborn days. These Seventh Generation diapers are free of all of the things you may not want touching your little one, like chlorine, lotions and fragrances. They also go a long way in helping to prevent diaper rash—there’s a custom breathable layer that pulls moisture away from baby’s skin, keeping them nice and dry.

If you’re cloth diapering, you’re going to want to invest in a stash of newborn-sized cloth diapers for those early months. That’s because cloth diapering a newborn can be tricky thanks to their tiny size and skinny legs. These all-in-one diapers are sized just right for smaller babies with a trim fit and an umbilical cord snap down. They feature four layers of absorbency plus a microfleece liner and a waterproof exterior.