Many diapers are treated with chemicals and irritants like chlorine that can be harsh on your baby’s sensitive skin. Babies go through thousands of diapers and most types of diapers made with synthetic materials could sit in landfills for hundreds of years, affecting many generations to come. To help you find the best organic diapers for your family, we have compiled a list of our top five favorites. I hope my research helps you quickly find the right fit for your baby!
Best Organic Diapers
When comparing these diapers, we found that Andy Pandy Premium Bamboo Disposable Diapers and ECO BOOM Baby Bamboo Disposable Diapers are biodegradable; whereas Amazon’s Mama Bear Gentle Touch Diapers and Earth’s Best Tender Care Diapers are not as quickly compostable.
Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers
Many parents swear by Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers. The materials are soft and very comfortable for your little one. Additionally, these diapers are hypoallergenic and antibacterial to prevent any type of irritation and chaffing that can come from wearing a wet or soiled diaper.
A few notable and appreciated features are the aloe liner, moisture wicking, and thermal regulating bamboo material. In light of the environment, bamboo is a renewable resource that grows incredibly fast without requiring the use of harsh chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. Also, wicking the moisture away helps take care of your baby’s sensitive skin which will minimize irritations and rashes. These natural diapers are free of any harsh chemicals like chlorine, phthalates, latex, PVC, TBT, alcohol, and preservatives. This means less need for purchasing creams and ointments for your baby. Every parent wants to know that these natural diapers also are high quality and leak-proof.
It is always nice to know a bit about who creates a product. I was impressed that Andy Pandy Diapers is a mom-created company that regularly supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The company also guarantees you a full money-back refund if you are disappointed by their eco-friendly premium bamboo diapers.
A few parents said that these organic diapers are not always true to size. You can request a sample so that you can be sure you get the perfect fit for your little one. Overall, many parents agree that Andy Pandy Bamboo Diapers are hard to beat!
We love these organic diapers and we’ve got them on our Best Diaper master list!
Honest Company Diapers
You can’t come across a list of the best organic diapers without seeing Honest Company diapers. And for good reason! These diapers are created with your baby and our environment in mind. The core is made from plant-derived materials, like fluff that’s harvested from sustainable forests. And the best part about this natural core is that it can hold up to 17 times its weight in water or other gooey liquid. Plus the contained odor inhibitors are made from plant-based oils.
The liner is soft and made from sodium polyacrylate, which is soft and good at keeping moisture away from baby’s skin. The stretchy parts in the waist and legs are not only comfortable and fit well, but they are made from natural polymer spandex. The non-toxic diaper as a whole totally free from chlorine, latex, fragrances, lotions, and natural rubber latex.
What most people probably know Honest diapers for (besides Jessica Alba) is their cute designs. You can get them in all sorts of fun colors and designs, from boy to girl and anywhere in between. The only thing is, I’m not sure what the ink is made out of. On the Honest site, it just says “inks.” Maybe these inks are the culprit for the diaper rashes that some babies seem to get from Honest diapers?
This leads me to my next point…
I will be honest (no pun intended), I almost didn’t add these natural diapers to the list, because I have a couple of friends that have had bad experiences with these diapers a few years ago. Their babies got terrible and nearly incurable diaper rashes that only happened when they wore these diapers!
But the good news is that these diapers have changed since I’ve last used them. They’ve become even cleaner and better than they used to be, and I think that they deserve a spot on the best natural diaper list. Their ingredient list is pretty clean, they are made from sustainable materials, and best of all, they work well!
Mama Bear Best Fit Diapers by Amazon
![Amazon Brand - Mama Bear Best Fit Diapers Size 3, 160 Count, Bears Print (4 packs of 40) [Packaging May Vary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41887sdRFEL._SL500_.jpg)
The Mama Bear by Amazon diapers are a wonderful choice if you like something on the natural side, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg. They aren’t the cleanest diaper on this list, but they are free from the major offenders, like fragrances, elemental chlorine, and latex. To clarify, there is chlorine in these diapers, just not elemental chlorine (read up on the difference here).
Now, Amazon also makes the Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers, which have a little bit cleaner make-up. But the biggest perk of buying these diapers is the fit. A poor fit is a common complaint with organic diapers, but with the Mama Bear diapers, the fit is fabulous. Just like the expensive name-brand diapers, these diapers have flexible leg cuffs and a snug-but-moveable waistband to prevent the dreaded blow-out. From newborn to size 2, the back has a pocket to catch the oozing excrement before it sneaks up the back.
Another lovable feature that’s missing from many a natural diaper? A wetness indicator. Yellow stripe means dry, blue stripe means wet. It’s just that easy.
Inside of the diaper, there’s an absorbent and hypoallergenic, plant-based gel instead of the strange little absorbent beads that many brands feature. While the quilted liner wicks away moisture, it also keeps baby comfortable.
These diapers have a full and soft feel. You can get them in 7 different sizes as well as 2 prints. One of those prints is a nice plain white, which raises some bleaching flags, but it does look very nice.
To drive a point home about these diapers – they aren’t quickly biodegradable or compostable or really very organic in many ways. But they are one of the cleanest and purest “regular” diapers out there, which is a great middle-ground for those that are mindful but still have a budget to stick to.
Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Disposable Baby Diapers
Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Disposable Baby Diapers are free of chlorine, latex, dyes, and any fragrances. This is great for your baby’s delicate skin. Some parents mentioned that even some natural and organic diapers can have a chemical smell. I am very aware of and affected by smells and thankfully, these are truly fragrance-free. They offer a secure and comfortable fit with a moisture barrier cuff and also soft and stretchy panels that can refasten to help prevent any leaks.
You can use this well-known brand of natural diapers through many stages as they are available in seven sizes including newborn through size six. You can also buy them in bulk which is so helpful and convenient for parents of little ones.
One thing you are getting with this non-toxic diaper is the brand. Earth’s Best is a well-known and respected brand that has been around for over 30 years. You can find other things for your baby made by Earth’s Best. They make organic formulas and baby foods as well as chlorine-free wipes that are great for taking care of your baby’s sensitive skin.
These diapers are considered to be a natural product as they are made with corn and wheat starch to help with absorbency but they are not a compostable product.
If you find that these aren’t getting the job done at night, especially as baby gets older, check out some overnight diapers.
ECO BOOM Baby Bamboo Biodegradable Diapers
ECO BOOM Baby Bamboo Biodegradable Diapers are described as environmental-friendly and skin-friendly. Both the back and top sheets are made of quality bamboo fiber and using total chlorine-free pulp which is the most advanced non-chlorine bleaching treatment available. These biodegradable diapers are great for sensitive skin because of the natural aloe oil that is added to the surface of this diaper to nourish and protect your baby’s skin. They avoid the use of chlorine, alcohol, preservatives, phthalates, latex, PVC, TBT, and antioxidants in their diapers.
Like most natural diaper brands, this product makes use of SAP (super absorbent polymer, generally sodium polyacrylate). SAP is non-toxic and has even received FDA approval in some food-related applications. SAP is not biodegradable, but because it is super absorbent, it has a much lower mass than alternative materials. As a result, the widespread use of SAP in diapers has the effect of greatly reducing the volume of waste in landfills.
It is also encouraging that these organic diapers are naturally biodegradable. In fact, even the outer packing carton box and the inside bag are biodegradable.
They conveniently come with a yellow indicator line on the front of the diaper that will change to blue when it becomes wet.
Parents chose this brand as the best organic diapers because they are great for babies with sensitive skin, are eco-friendly, and are also cost-competitive.
Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Baby Diapers
The Bambo Nature Eco Friendly Baby Diapers are known to be ultra-plush because of the thick and soft bamboo fibers. But perhaps the best part is the breathability. With a design that encourages and supports airflow, you’ll battle fewer rashes. You will certainly appreciate the perfect Bodyfit that helps to prevent leaks and blowouts. And the three-layer design is pretty absorbent. The helpful moisture-wicking feature helps protect your baby from diaper rash. So, you will not have to sacrifice leak protection to get a natural diaper. The resealable Velcro tabs are also very helpful and convenient.
These have certification from Nordic Ecolabel, the Forest Stewardship Council, and the Danish Asthma and Allergy Association. They come in six different sizes and they are free of dyes, chemicals, allergens, and anything irritating, which is great for your baby’s sensitive skin.
If you are looking for a natural diaper that is soft, sourced responsibly, and compostable, then this might just be the choice for your family.
More Natural Diaper Choices
You are probably wondering why some of the more popular choices didn’t make our best organic diaper list. And here’s why:
- Earth and Eden diapers: Outstanding label, but terrible leaking and next-to-no absorption.
- Seventh Generation diapers: Not soft and they leak horribly, although I love the ingredients on the label.
- Pampers Pure diapers: They are comparable to Honest Co. diapers, and I would consider them for spot #7.
- Little Toes Disposable Biodegradable Bamboo Diapers by Products on the Go: Made with only pure and safe ingredients, but they break quite easily, which results in wasted diapers.
- Babyganics diapers: Love the plant-based materials, but they’re expensive and not great at stopping leaks, despite being labeled as “ultra absorbent”.
Best Organic Diapers Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| ECO BOOM Baby Bamboo Biodegradable Diapers | 9.6 | 8.8 | 39.99 |
| Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers | 9.7 | - | 35.26 |
| Honest Company Diapers | 9.9 | 9.4 | 29.99 |
| Earth's Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Disposable Baby Diapers | 3.9 | 8.8 | - |
| Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Baby Diapers | 8.3 | 8.8 | - |
| Mama Bear Best Fit Diapers by Amazon | 9.5 | 9.0 | - |
More On Organic Diapers
For starters, the term “organic diaper” can be misleading. There are some diapers out there that use eco-friendly or natural ingredients, and they may use organic cotton or other organic components, but they aren’t actually 100% organic. So just be aware that when we say organic diapers, we are referring to eco-friendly diapers and diapers that are safer and gentler for both your baby and the earth.
The Best Natural Diaper Ingredients
Many of the best natural and organic diapers choose to use bamboo fibers as the main material. Bamboo is very eco-friendly, sustainable, strong, and very absorbent. Bamboo protects the environment, and the fibers are soft, silky, and naturally hypoallergenic, which is ideal for sensitive skin. Bamboo grows rapidly and thrives without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.
You’ll also want to look for things like natural inks, dyes, and adhesives. These can sneak nasty chemicals into otherwise eco-friendly diapers. Also, for the sake of baby’s bottom, look for a natural diaper that is TCF (that’s totally chlorine-free) and also free from fragrances or perfumes, added lotions, and latex items.
Why Get Eco-Friendly Diapers?
In my research, I found that traditional disposable diapers can sit in landfills for approximately 500 years. This will affect many generations because those trash piles aren’t getting any smaller. It is extremely comforting to find out that bamboo biodegrades 100% in soil without causing pollution. It’s one less problem that we will pass on to our children and grandchildren.
You may have to pay a bit more money for a natural diaper, that’s a fact. But the cost of eco-friendly diapers is offset by the benefits that your baby will receive. By choosing a natural and organic diaper for your kids, you are choosing wisely for their delicate baby skin. You are also choosing something good for the earth.
If you want to go a step further and get rid of your disposable diapers, check out our favorite cloth diaper options.
FAQs – Organic Diapers
Are organic diapers worth it?
Great organic diapers (which may not be 100% biodegradable, but are far more eco-friendly and less likely to contain chemicals harmful to your baby) may cost even twice as much as the leading disposable diapers. But when you choose organic diapers, you are choosing a diaper that is kinder and gentler both to our environment and to your baby’s sensitive skin.
Obviously, it’s a trade-off, but, when you look at the sheer volume of diapers that go to the landfill every day, organic diapers are definitely worth your consideration.
Are there any biodegradable diapers?
Many of the organic/natural/green diapers are far more biodegradable than standard disposables. Biodegradability varies from brand to brand.
Compostable diapers are the most biodegradable diapers available since they break down very quickly.
Do keep in mind that no disposable diapers are 100% biodegradable, despite what some companies, such as ECO BOOM, may claim. This is because essentially all diapers contain superabsorbent polymer (S.A.P), which does not break down. However, green diapers do prevent a lot of trash from ending up in landfills versus traditional brands like Huggies, so if you want to help the environment, biodegradable diapers are worth getting.
What brand of diapers do hospitals use?
Both Pampers Swaddlers and Huggies Little Snugglers seem to be the disposable diapers of choice. These are both particularly good diapers for a newborn. Some new mothers report that the hospital diapered their babies in cloth diapers!
If you want your baby to be diapered in organic diapers, you will have to bring your own and instruct the nursing staff to use only those diapers.
Which organic diapers are eco-friendly?
Several brands market an organic (or natural, or green) diaper. Experienced Mommy recommends diapers based on the following features:
- Free of dyes and chemicals, such as chlorine, fragrance, or latex
- Made from natural and organic materials
- Highly biodegradable
All of the brands on this list meet these criteria in one area or another.
Which diapers are chemical-free?
The chemical-free diaper does not exist. All matter is made of chemical elements.
So, instead, we must ask which diapers are free of harmful chemicals? All diaper manufacturers would argue that their diapers are free of harmful chemicals. But not everyone agrees. So it’s a matter of either determining which are the chemicals that must be avoided and choosing a diaper that eliminates or reduces them (which is difficult, since diapers, unlike foods, are not required to list all ingredients) or reading available information about the various diapers’ compositions and choosing one with the most acceptable composition.
To make it easier, here are some general guidelines:
- Most good, disposable diapers do not have known harmful effects on most babies.
- Good organic/natural/green disposable diapers eliminate or reduce elements of particular
environmental or health concern and substitute more natural/organic elements (e.g. bleached latex for soft bamboo). - Cloth diapers, particularly organic cloth diapers, once washed, should contain few harmful chemicals – mainly those that are present in your diaper detergent.
Is the gel in diapers toxic?
The Super Absorbent Polymer gel which is used in most all diapers, including presumed green diapers, is said to be non-toxic and harmless to humans. Some parents, however still have concerns about the substance, since it is often petroleum-derived and has been used in diapers for under 40 years. The long-term effects are still to be seen.
