Best diapers

Swaddlers diapers have plenty of newborn-friendly features, including a cut-out for your baby's healing umbilical cord stump and a soft, quilted liner that pulls wetness away from your baby's tender skin. The color-changing indicator lets you know when your little one needs a diaper change. Swaddlers provide up to 12 hours of overnight protection – which means fewer middle-of-the-night diaper changes.

Heads up

Some parents find the fragrance in Pampers Swaddlers overpowering.

Parents say

"The hospital always sent us home with Pampers and those worked for my girls. I got another brand at my shower and I hated them. They always leaked and the blowouts were awful. Not Pampers."

"I've used Pampers since Day One. My son has sensitive skin and eczema and all the other brands irritated him around his thighs and on his bottom."

Specs

• Wetness indicator
• Hypoallergenic and free of parabens and latex

These Costco-brand diapers get high marks from BabyCenter parents for value and quality. Parents say they're very similar to Huggies diapers and stand up to leaks. They feature a wetness indicator and a next-size-up indicator. There's a pocketed waistband on sizes 1 and 2 to prevent blowouts. Plus, they're partially made with plant-based materials.

Heads up

You don't have to be a Costco member to buy these, but members get the lowest prices.

Parents say

"We use Kirkland diapers and have from size 1 on. They're great! They hold a lot and are reasonably priced. We've never had a blow out in them either!"

"I really liked these for my daughter. We never had issues with leaks or blow-outs. She has sensitive skin and they still worked well."

Specs

• Wetness indicator
• Hypoallergenic

This Pampers brand gets high marks from parents for its more eco-friendly materials, like the chlorine-free pulp inside the diaper and the premium cotton that touches your baby's skin. They also like that Pampers Pure diapers are fragrance-free – no overpowering smells here – and the patterns are simple and modern.

Heads up

Pampers Pure tend to be significantly more expensive than other Pampers.

Parents say

"Pampers Pure are amazing, with a secure fit and sweet designs. They are really soft for my little boy's sensitive skin."

"They're great diapers! They're soft and work great, no blow-outs. No scent, which I prefer."

Specs

• Wetness indicator
• Hypoallergenic
• No parabens, fragrances, or latex

Up&Up's everyday price is lower than many brands' price on sale, so it's only natural that they're popular with frugal parents. Many say they don't notice much difference between more expensive diapers and this Target brand. Parents also like that Up&Up's diapers are free of latex, lotions, and fragrance.

Heads up

Some parents say that Up&Up diapers leak, particularly when kids get close to the maximum weight for each size. Some use Up&Up for daytime only, and switch to another, more absorbent diaper at nighttime.

Parents say

"I love Up&Up, and use them for daytime and overnight with both kids. They don't have a strong odor like other brands, and they didn't make my daughter's sensitive skin break out."

"They work perfectly for us – we've never had any issues, and they're cheaper."

Specs

• Wetness indicator
• Hypoallergenic
• Lotion-, latex-, and fragrance-free

Huggies Little Movers Diapers feature the Moving Baby System, with double-grip strips that are specially designed to hold up to even the most active babies. Their contoured shape helps them stay in place, as does Little Movers' elasticized SnugFit waistband. The brand's Leak Lock system aims to keep babies dry for up to 12 hours.

Heads up

Little Movers start at size 3 (16 pounds minimum), so you may have to wait a while to use these. Also, some parents notice an odd smell when their babies wet these diapers.

Parents say

"I really like the Huggies Little Movers. They have this little pocket in the back that stops the up-the-back messes my little one kept getting."

"We switched to Little Movers and haven't looked back. I love the grip strips."

Specs

• Wetness indicator
• SizeUp indicator shows when babies are ready to move to the next size diaper
• Free of fragrance, lotions, parabens, elemental chlorine, and natural rubber latex

The Honest Company's diapers feature perfectly darling prints of fruits, flowers, animals, and other natural themes. But parents say they're more than just pretty – the overnight diapers get high marks for keeping babies dry for up to 12 hours.

Heads up

Parents say that they wish these had wetness indicators. Some also say that Honest Company's diapers aren't as soft as other brands.

Parents say

"Honest has worked best for us overnight! They keep my baby dry."

"Honest diapers are adorable, and I really like that they're more natural than some of the other diapers that I use for my son."

Specs

• Fragrance-free
• Plant-based core with sustainably harvested fluff pulp and plant-derived materials
• Hypoallergenic

With snaps and hook-and-loop fastenings, Miosolo diapers are as easy to put on and take off as disposables. They have an absorbent inner layer and a waterproof outer layer, and both are washable. You can adjust the fit for smaller or larger babies, so you may be able to use these from birth until potty training. And with patterns this cute, you'll want to!

Heads up

Some parents say that these diapers fit chubbier babies best, and when their babies started crawling or walking and slimmed down a bit, the Miosolo diapers no longer fit. Miosolos are made from microfiber, which stands up to many washings better than cotton but can be less absorbent.

Parents say

"We've been very happy with Bambino Mio all-in-ones as our daycare diapers. They've been way more reliable and the design is much easier for daycare staff."

"They're so easy to use and we always get a perfect fit."

Specs

• Machine washable
• Tab system makes it easier to remove the inner core
• Made from polyester and nylon

As the name implies, Pull-Ups are made for your potty-training child to easily pull up and down without help. They work like underwear in this way, and help your child get used to the idea of pulling underwear down to use the potty and up afterwards. Many toddlers enjoy the "big kid" feel of Pull-Ups as opposed to diapers. Learning Designs ups the ante with colorful designs that fade when wet, encouraging kids to go in the potty rather than in the Pull-Up.

Heads up

Some potty training methods discourage training diapers, saying that potty training happens faster when kids feel the wetness of cotton underwear. However, many otherwise potty-trained kids can't stay dry all night, so training diapers can make for much happier nights for these little ones and their parents.

Parents say

"We use Pull-Ups at night because it's such a huge change to transition from diapers to undies."

"My daughter was in Pull-Ups for a year after daytime training because I had no interest in cleaning pee and trying to get her back to sleep in the middle of the night."

Specs

• Easy-open sides
• Character designs fade when wet

Disposable swim diapers will contain messes and won't swell up in the water. They're more expensive than regular diapers, but you won't need to use them as often. And many parents say that Huggies Little Swimmers are the best disposable swim diapers for your money.

Heads up

Swim diapers do not absorb pee, no matter which kind you use, so don't put one on your child until it's time to go in.

Parents say

"Huggies Little Swimmers last longer in the water and don't end up weighing a ton after my baby gets out."

"I use Huggies Little Swimmers and they're awesome."

Specs

• Stretchy sides for a closer fit
• Easy-open, reclosable sides

Depending on how often you take your baby to the pool, it can be cost-effective (and more eco-friendly) to buy reusable, washable swim diapers for your baby to use in the water. Green Sprouts' i Play diapers are well regarded for their comfortable fit, cute designs, and eco-friendly fabrics.

Heads up

i Play swim diapers aren't adjustable; they're sold in sizes – like 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and so on – which means you'll have to keep sizing up. You'll probably want a few in each size, too.

Parents say

"I like these reusable swim diapers. They seem comfortable and wash easily."

"These are a great alternative to disposable swim diapers. You can use them over and over. I love them!"

Specs

• Machine washable
• Snaps make diaper easy to remove
• UPF 50+ sun protection

Bambo Nature diapers are intended to be gentle for your baby and on the planet. The brand voluntarily undergoes environmental inspections by EcoCert, Asthma-Allergy Denmark, and other third parties to review its materials, production, consumption, and waste. The diapers are absorbent and soft, vegan, and free of chemicals, dyes, parabens, latex, and perfumes. They have a wetness indicator and a breathable back to keep babies comfortable.

Heads Up

Bambo Nature is the most expensive brand on our list.

Parents Say

"I love Bambo Nature diapers. My son never gets a diaper rash and they almost never leak."

"We've been using Bambo for about three months now and love them! Bambo is a little more expensive but worth it."

"We use Bambo for travel. They're very absorbent and we've had no blowouts. No rashes either!"

Bambo Nature Specs

• Wetness indicator
• Free of all known allergens, perfumes, and harmful chemicals

If you want to avoid plastics and chemicals but still use disposable diapers, Naty diapers may be your best bet. They're mostly made from plant-based materials and have no plastic that touches your baby's skin. The diapers and packaging are eco-certified by some of the biggest independent testing institutions, including OEKO-TEX, TUV Austria, and FSC. Parents also like the sweet, minimalist designs.

Heads up

The Naty diapers don't have wetness indicators – something to keep in mind if you rely on them. Also, some parents say these leak.

Editors say

"No plastics. No chemicals. Wow."

Eco by Naty Disposable Diaper Specs

• Made mostly from plant-based materials
• Free of chlorine, perfumes, dioxins, phthalates, latex, dyes, parabens, VOCs, and GMOs