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Fun parenting fact: during their first three months of life, a newborn will go through about 700 diapers.

Since you’re going to be spending a whole lot of time at the changing table, finding a diaper that’s going to get the job done is pretty essential. There’s also your little one’s comfort to consider. Most babies have sensitive skin, but newborns especially are more prone to irritation and diaper rash. The right newborn diaper will keep your baby dry, content and rash-free.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Newborn Diapers

  • Most Popular: Pampers Swaddlers
  • Best for Baby Registry: Babylist Diaper Box
  • Best Value: Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers
  • Softest: Coterie Newborn Diaper and Wipes Starter Bundle
  • Best Eco-Friendly: DYPER Bamboo Viscose Baby Diapers
  • Best Sustainable: Bambo Nature Premium Eco-Friendly Baby Diapers
  • Cutest: The Honest Company Club Box Diapers
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Kudos Diapers
  • Best More Affordable for Sensitive Skin: Huggies Special Delivery
  • Best Cloth: Thirsties Newborn All In One

In This Article

  • How We Chose the Best Diapers for Newborns
  • Our Top Picks
  • What to Look for in a Newborn Diaper

Babylist’s Picks for the Best Newborn Diapers

Most Popular Newborn Diaper

Pampers Pampers Swaddlers Size 1 - Size 1 (160 Count)

$39.77

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Babylist parents love Pampers Swaddlers; they’re one of the most-registered-for disposable diapers and a favorite among parents of newborns. Swaddlers are soft, comfy and breathable. 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. They also have dual leak-guard barriers around the legs and a blowout barrier at the back, which many parents report helps to contain the mess.

Best Diapers to Add to Your Registry

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In a recent survey, almost 40 percent of Babylist parents reported trying three to four different brands of diapers before settling on what ultimately worked best for their baby and their family. The Babylist Diaper Box is the answer. This sampler bundle 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.

Best Value Newborn Diaper

Diapers can add up, especially during the newborn days. Huggies Little Snugglers are an affordable, absorbent choice. They feature a curved, stretchy fit and are hypoallergenic and free of any fragrances. There’s a pocketed waistband around the back of the diaper to contain blowouts and something called a GentleAbsorb linter that helps wick wetness away from your little one’s sensitive skin. The newborn size has a cutout for the umbilical cord.

If you’re a Costco member, Babylist parents have lots of love for the store brand Kirkland’s Signature Diapers, noting that they’re absorbent and a great value. Just note that they don’t come in newborn sizes, so you may have to wait a few weeks to use them if your baby is on the smaller side at birth.

Softest Newborn Diaper

Coterie Newborn Diaper and Wipes Starter Bundle

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Yes, these diapers are a splurge—but they’re absolutely the softest disposable diapers you’ll ever meet. They’re also really absorbent and do a great job of wicking moisture away from your newborn’s sensitive skin and preventing leaks and blowouts. Coterie diapers are made from 25 percent plant-based materials from sustainably managed forests and are free of things like fragrance, latex, dyes, alcohol, phthalates and chlorine bleaching.

If you love the feel of Coterie diapers but not the price tag, check out Rascal and Friends. They’re (almost) just as soft and a fraction of the price.

Best Eco-Friendly Newborn Diaper

DYPER Bamboo Viscose Baby Diapers - Newborn, 6

$94.99

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Many companies advertise their diapers as eco-friendly, but most don’t live up to the promise. Dyper truly delivers. Soiled diapers—yup, even the poopy ones—can be returned for composting through the brand’s optional REDYPER service. (You can choose curbside pickup if you’re in select metropolitan areas or mail them back via a prepaid bag/box/label kit.) The composting does come at an additional cost, but it’s well worth it if it fits into your budget and you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact. The diapers are made from bamboo viscose and are soft, absorbent and unscented. They’re also free of ingredients like chlorine, latex and alcohol.

Best Sustainable Newborn Diaper

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 one.) They’re flexible and breathable, and do a great job of keeping baby fresh and dry.

Cutest Newborn Diaper

The Honest Company Clean Conscious Disposable Diapers - Above It All + Barnyard Babies, Size 1, 78 Count

$29.99

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What can we say—we’re suckers for a cute print. But more than just good looks, Honest diapers are made from plant-based materials and feature a wicking liner, a wetness indicator and something called a “Poo Pocket” for blowouts. The newborn sizes have a cutout for healing umbilical cord areas. They’re available by the pack or via a customizable subscription service.

Best Newborn Diaper for Sensitive Skin

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Kudos Diapers

$78 and up

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Natural materials are often where it’s at for babies with skin sensitivities. Unlike most disposable diapers, Kudos are lined with 100 percent cotton, so there’s no plastic—or anything else—touching your baby’s sensitive skin. They feature two layers of protection against leaks and don’t contain chlorine, latex, phthalates or fragrances. They’re available one box at a time or via a monthly subscription service.

Best More Affordable Diaper for Sensitive Skin

Huggies Special Delivery Diapers - Newborn (76 Count)

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For a more affordable sensitive skin-friendly newborn diaper, check out Huggies Special Delivery. 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.

Best Cloth Diapers for Newborns

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.

How We Chose the Best Newborn Diapers

  • We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
  • We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many diapers for newborns.
  • We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

What to Look for in a Newborn Diaper

Sensitivity is the main thing to keep in mind when you’re shopping for newborn diapers. All babies are sensitive to some degree, but newborn skin is extra sensitive, especially during the first few months. Here’s what else to consider.

  • Look for a newborn diaper that’s soft and gentle on your little one’s skin. It can decrease the chances of any irritation and help to keep them comfortable. Some parents choose to avoid things like fragrances or certain ingredients.
  • Absorbency is another feature to think through. Newborns fill their diapers pretty frequently, and blowouts are no fun, so look for a diaper that contains the mess as much as possible.
  • Your newborn’s wet or dirty diaper will be touching their skin almost 24/7. Look for a diaper with at least some level of breathability to decrease the chance of diaper rash developing.
  • Your newborn’s umbilical cord stump may take as long as three weeks to fall out. During that process, you should keep the area dry and clean. Look for a newborn diaper with a cutout for the cord area or fold down a regular diaper to prevent it from irritating the area.
  • The size and fit of your diaper will affect how well it contains the mess. Don’t assume your baby should wear a newborn-sized diaper. Start with your little one’s weight to determine what size they should be wearing, then be sure you can fasten the waist tabs comfortably and there aren’t any gaps or red marks around your baby’s thighs. (Gaps mean your diaper is too big, and red marks mean it’s too small.) The diaper’s rise should fall just below your little one’s belly button. Experiencing lots of blowouts? That’s often an indication that your baby is in the wrong size diaper or that it may be time to experiment with a different brand.

How many newborn diapers do I need?

Newborns average about eight to 10 diaper changes per day in the first month of life. Over the first three months, babies go through about 700 diapers.

Don’t worry, though—those numbers go down dramatically as your baby gets older. You’ll change fewer diapers after six months of age, usually around five to six per day.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

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