Last Updated on October 15, 2025

Did you know the average newborn goes through 10-12 diapers per day? That’s a lot of waste – and a lot of time spent in diapers. 

Most babies have more sensitive skin than adults, as their skin hasn’t fully developed yet. The protective hydrolipidic film is still very thin, which makes infant skin more vulnerable to harsh external factors. 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.   

Those external factors include diapers. Babies spend a lot of time getting in (and out) of them. So it’s important to choose non toxic diapers that are gentle on both skin and planet. Here are the best non toxic diapers on the market. 

which diapers are the least toxic? 

The diapers that are least toxic include ones made from plant-based or cotton materials. Look for brands that omit harsh chemicals like chlorine, phthalates, and PFAs.  

Many diaper components are made up of plastic, which is hard to avoid in the name of efficiency.  

That being said, it’s best to choose diapers from brands that minimize the amount of plastic in their products. Plastic materials can emit VOCs known to harm health. 

Here are some general guidelines to adhere to when choosing diapers: 

• Choose diapers that disclose the ingredients (some don’t!). Avoid anything with fragrance, lotion, or other skin-conditioning adhesives. 
• Look for brands that minimize the amount of plastic in their products. 
• Consider cloth diapers, ideally made from organic cotton. 
• Opt for brands that use unbleached pulp or pulp bleached without chlorine 
• Try to choose plain, undyed diapers with minimal designs (dyes can be contaminated with toxic heavy metals). 
• Check for certifications like Forest Stewardship Council or EWG certified. 

is Huggies or Pampers less toxic? 

In terms of being less toxic, Huggies has stated all of their diapers are free of fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and elemental chlorine. They’ve also partnered with Terracycle to offer plastic film recycling options. 

Pampers diapers are made without parabens, natural rubber latex and elemental chlorine. But only their Pure diapers are made without fragrance (and many mothers online have complained of Pampers’ strong scent).  

However, Pampers’ factories are zero manufacturing waste to landfill and they use FSC certified wood pulp. 

Both brands list their ingredients on their websites, so definitely read them for yourself before making a purchase. Just be mindful both brands also use colorants and printing inks to make designs and/or color change technology.  

which diaper brands are safe for babies? 

The diaper brands safe for babies are listed below. There’s a mix of disposable and cloth diapers, so there’s something for everyone.  

However, be mindful that every baby is different and what works for one, doesn’t always work for another. For example, certain brands may fit your baby like a glove, whereas others may be too big: It’s all about experimenting and finding what works for your baby. 

You can use this list as a starting point to help you choose a better, safer choice for your child. None of the brands listed here use fragrance, parabens, or other harsh chemicals. 

I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some of my favorite features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.  

Also, if you cloth diaper, don’t forget to consider eco-friendly baby detergent brands  because you’ll be doing a bit more laundry! 

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Which of these sustainable diaper options would you choose? Let me know in the comments!

Image credit: Dyper. This article is generously sponsored by Dyper, a maker of plant-based, compostable single-use diapers. 

There’s no easy way to say it: babies produce a lot of waste. 

In fact, most babies will use around 6,000 diapers in their first two years of life. The most commonly offered alternative to disposable diapers is reusable ones—which simply aren’t a solution for busy parents. 

Traditional single-use disposable diapers aren’t just a waste problem, though—they’re also a health issue. Every detail in single-use diapers is suspect, from the plastic materials to the chemicals used to scent them. (Fragranced diapers! Why!) 

These components are linked to endocrine and reproductive disorders, acute skin rashes, and even testicular cancer later in life. This isn’t a shocking fact, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission requires only that diapers be tested for lead—no other chemicals are tested, including carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

After wear, these diapers are collected alongside your municipal trash, tossed into the bins with the rest of your waste, pushing up the lid on your bins every week. 

The moment that REDYPER founder Tony Patron and his business partner noticed their bins were overfilled each week with plastic diapers, was the moment they knew something needed to change. 

That was the beginning of what eventually became Dyper, a company dedicated to creating safe, high performance, and non-toxic diapers.

Pushing for Change in a Landfill-Bound Industry

In addition to being a new father who cringed at the diaper-filled bags he took out to the trash bin, Patron was also an engineer who was well-poised to solve the problem. Initially, he worked toward a partnership with a similar company that was manufacturing compostable diapers, but the two merged to form Dyper, a new diaper company focused on creating non-toxic, biodegradable diapers that reduce both household and environmental waste.

DYPER’s product team works diligently to ensure that almost all of its product’s components are biodegradable. (Though some technology is not yet available in biodegradable form, such as velcro.) “Our goal is to provide a diaper that performs equally to any other diaper on the market in terms of absorbency, fit, and comfort, and ensuring that we don’t have any skin irritation,” Patron says.

DYPER uses primarily plant-based materials, including US-grown FSC-certified bamboo and eucalyptus fibers. Its viscose bamboo comes from an Oeko-Tex certified supplier, and the brand labels each layer with its specific components to ensure full transparency to conscious parents. The brand’s diapers are Certified USDA BioPreferred 55% Product, and its wipes are a Certified USDA BioPreferred 95% Product.

Its diaper products themselves meet Oeko-Tex standards, and the brand recently obtained the DermaTest 5-Star Certification, which guarantees that the diapers won’t cause any skin reactions.

Aside from using plant-based, compostable materials, DYPER also tests its products using third-party labs to ensure they are non-toxic and compostable. 

Plants Over Plastic

The core of DYPER’s mission is “plants over plastic for happy babies.” By choosing plant-based materials without harmful chemical additives, DYPER creates diapers that are free from phthalates, latex, parabens, and other irritants found in common supermarket diapers. The natural fibers are gentler on your baby’s delicate skin. Plus, you can be sure that the materials were responsibly sourced. 

DYPER diapers aren’t just better for baby’s skin and the environment. They’re designed to make life easier for parents as well. While made from more than 50% plant based materials, the diapers are also designed to be high performing, preventing leaks and rashes and keeping your baby happy. 

The diapers can even be composted through the brand’s optional REDYPER program (depending on availability in your state.) The brand’s “plants over plastic philosophy” extends to its packaging as well, as it uses sustainable materials wherever it can to reduce its impact. 

You don’t have to choose between functional diapers and sustainable ones. DYPER has you and your baby covered from every angle. 

Make It Easy

DYPER offers subscriptions or one-time purchasing in a wide variety of sizes, and in some areas a weekly or biweekly pickup service for used diapers and wipes. The company partners with regional composting facilities to compost the materials that can be broken down within 14 to 16 weeks, and the rest are removed from the compost and disposed of. REDYPER has diverted over 14 million pounds of waste from landfill as of today.

With DYPER, you’re not just choosing a high-performing diaper; you’re choosing a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and superior baby care.