The Gentlest Disposable Baby Diapers for Newborns

Let's talk about diapers. We know, it’s a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it. For parents with babies up to 3 years, the diaper period is an unwanted but necessary evil. If we’re talking about a newborn baby, we’re talking about 8-10 diapers a day. Yes, you read right: your newborn will soil his diaper every single time he/she is fed, and at an average of a feeding every 2-3 hours, just do the math. The baby’s tiny bladder won’t hold much more than 15ml of urine, so it must come out whenever it is full. We’re talking around 300 changes in the first month alone, but luckily for you, this amount decreases over time and eventually stops altogether when your child is potty trained (Yeah!).

Then you have to consider which sort of diaper you go for: reusable (cloth diaper you’ll have to wash every single time it gets dirty) or disposable (the kind you just throw in the bin after being soiled), or a combination of both. Though cloth diapers might seem the best option, in terms of eco-impact and long-term investment, most parents soon realize that washing soiled diapers day in day out is a chore that requires a strong stomach and a real commitment.

Disposable diapers provide superior protection, as the urine is absorbed and baby bottoms are kept dry and are easy to use and dispose of. But then, on the disposable varieties, which type should you pick, the regular or the sensitive, or the more eco-friendly bamboo kind? And then which size do you need? Choosing the right size, model and brand of diapers can be daunting, especially if you are a neophyte, but never fear, just read through and you’ll learn all there is to know about diapers and which size, brand and type is best for the newest addition to the family. If you want to have a rough estimate of the number of diapers your baby is going to use, have a go with a diaper calculator.

Newborns weight, size, and shape can vary immensely, so when it comes to picking the right diaper for your newborn, the one-size-fits-all rule clearly does not apply. If your baby is slim and weights around 5-6lbs, consider using size P, specifically designed for premature babies, who are usually smaller than average. If your baby’s weight and size falls into a more regular scale, namely 7-8lbs, your best bet will be using size N. These two sizes, specially conceived for newborns, usually have a cut-out section in front to fit around the umbilical cord stump. If your baby is +8lbs, you’ll probably need to skip immediately to size 1, as the other two will be too small.

You also need to consider the rate babies grow, so your tiny baby will soon (one, two weeks) outgrow his/her size N diapers, so investing in a large amount, though it might seem wise today, might be a waste of money in the long run. Believe me, the 2lbs difference really counts when it comes to the ability to contain all the number 1 and 2 your baby will produce. And the loss of said ability, meaning leakage, is a sure sign you might need to change diaper size, rather than diaper brand.

Road test a few of the diapers that we present and pick the one that’s right for you and most importantly for your baby’s skin, as it might react to a brand and not to another. Consider also that diapers can have different fits around the waist and legs, so pick the one which fits snuggly enough to prevent leakage and blowouts. If you want to have a rough estimate of the amount of diapers your baby is going to use, have a go with a diaper calculator. 

Pampers Swaddlers are usually the first diaper to touch your baby’s bottom, as they’re super popular with hospitals, and for very good reasons: they are fitted with a superabsorbent material and lined with a specially designed mesh liner that keeps the skin dry and protected. It is still thin enough to be thoroughly comfortable and has a special indentation designed specifically to keep the umbilical cord free from irritations. Since newborns only produce a tiny amount of urine and these diapers are so absorbent, they come with a wetness indicator: a yellow line that changes to blue when the baby pees. It is the diaper with the most and best reviews, and parents are uniformly pleased with the quality and the softness of these diapers.

Pampers Swaddlers also come in Sensitive, offering the best care for the most sensitive skin. These diapers prevent rashes and help to maintain overall baby’s healthy skin, as they are extra gentle and hypoallergenic, making them the perfect fit for babies with ultra-sensitive skin. They also come with the handy wetness indicator, and the absorb away liner that pulls wetness and mess away from baby’s skin.

Pampers go even further with these diapers, offering a chlorine bleaching and fragrance-free option for those hypersensitive babies. Pampers Pure is a new natural line that is hypoallergenic and perfect for super sensitive baby skin. The diapers offer the same trademark protection as in every diaper from this renowned brand, and are an eco-friendly chlorine free option, despite being a bit more expensive than its regular counterparts.  

Another well-knowned brand, Huggies, offers only one possibility when it comes to newborn baby diapers: Little Snugglers, size Newborn, that fits babies up to 10lbs. These diapers are designed with a Leak Lock system that provides up to 12 hours of protection, as well as a wetness indicator that changes color when the diaper needs changing. Little Snugglers, unscented and hypoallergenic diapers, offer gentle protection to your baby’s skin, with their unique GentleAbsorb liner that keeps the mess away from the baby’s skin, and premium softness and breathability to keep your baby feeling fresh and comfortable.

These diapers for newborns also come with an indentation to protect the umbilical cord while it heals and a pocketed-back waistband that helps stop leaks. However, due to the fact that they are for babies up to 10lbs, they are slightly roomier than other options, which is an asset if your baby is bigger and chubbier, but a hindrance for a more petite, slimmer newborn.

Leakage overnight only becomes a problem when the baby starts sleeping through the night, usually when they are around 4-6 months old, and shouldn’t be a worry for newborns, who need to be fed and changed every 2 to 3 hours. However, as not all babies are created equal, you might find yourself with a 4-6-month-old baby with a more petite constitution, requiring size N diapers, or a new-born that sleeps for longer periods of time.

Both brands are recommended by parents due to their effectiveness in preventing leakage, being designed with extremely absorbent materials. Both offer a lining layer that protects the skin while keeping moisture and mess away. Huggies, however, with their clever elasticated waistband are better at preventing the mess from escaping through the waist.

Due to their tissue-like touch and thinner inner layers, Pampers feel more comfortable and less bulgy. However, both brands keep feeling comfortable and soft even after being worn throughout the night. Some parents expressed their concern that there was a residue of the lining on the Pampers Swaddlers that would sometimes stick to the baby’s skin after being used overnight, however, the residue would be easily wiped off with a baby wipe.

If you can’t access the store that easily these days, or if you rather have a reliable service that delivers diapers to your front door, you can give Amazon Mom a try. You need to subscribe to Amazon Prime ($99 a year) and you get 20% off your diapers and baby food by setting up 5 subscribe and save subscriptions per month. Diapers.com  is another possibility, as they deliver everything but the baby. Also consider that most retailers carry Pampers and Huggies brand diapers, so a trip to your local store might prove fruitful. 

Pampers also offers a fidelity membership program with a special reward for you and your little one. You can collect points and later redeem them for different offers.

When picking diapers for your newborn baby, the tried and trialed brands are usually winners, so you can’t go wrong with either one of these choices. Both brands have spent a considerable amount of time and effort into creating the best possible diaper – it’s their business after all. As each baby is unique, experimenting with the different options might help you discover which is the best diaper for your little one. So, before committing to a brand or type, why don’t you buy different small packs of each one of the diapers to see which works best in your opinion.

Additionally, avoid stocking up on diapers, unless you are planning on having another baby soon, as your tiny bundle of joy won’t be as tiny before you know it. Soon you’ll be upgrading to bigger sizes, than going on to pull-ups and in no-time, you’ll be out of the diaper zone. And who knows, you might even miss it in the long run.