What kind of diapers are best

The diapers themselves aren't much to look at. The two styles in my pack were plain white and polka-dot print. But there are a few features that earn the Mama Bear some style points. On the diaper's front flaps there's a strip of high-friction material that helps it stay put when you wrap the rear flap around to fasten it.

The Velcro tabs stick to the diaper very securely, so much so that it takes some effort to remove them. Beyond that, though, the Mama Bear is about as basic as a diaper can be. Like many other brands, the Mama Bear has a wetness indicator strip running down the middle, though it didn't always change color even when the diaper was clearly wet enough to change. The outer layer is said to be breathable despite feeling somewhat plasticky. They fit my daughter fairly well in size 4, giving her only a slight puffy-butt look.

The leg holes seemed tight enough around the thighs, but she did have a minor blow-out once. Absorption seemed on par with the other economy diapers I tested, though her skin was often damp after a change. It must be said that Mama Bear makes no claims about the sustainability or eco-friendliness of its products, which probably means it doesn't have anything to offer on the green front. But if you're not too concerned with that and don't mind the lack of cute prints, the Mama Bear is a good value at 21 cents a pop for size 4.

With Honest Diapers' substantial price premium over other major brands, you'd expect a noticeable bump in quality and performance to justify paying the extra cash. But instead you get a diaper that's just OK.

At first glance, the inside of the diaper looked like it would handle liquid better than other diapers I tested, with channels running almost the full length of the diaper. In reality, though, these diapers still leaked on two occasions and my daughter's skin was always noticeably wet after an overnight change. What you pay for, it seems, is the look. Honest diapers are available in a variety of prints, with some being limited edition or only available seasonally. This made them by far the most visually interesting to look at of all the diapers I tested.

But how much will that matter when you roll it up oftentimes filled with poop and throw it in the garbage? These diapers were also the most form-fitting of the bunch. The contoured rear clung to my daughter's tush with little sag or puffiness. But that shapeliness might come at a price.

My daughter had a three-way blowout up the back and out both leg holes in an Honest diaper -- by far the messiest incident of the test -- and I suspect it may have something to do with the poop having nowhere to go. The Honest Company likes to flex its green credentials in its marketing, but some of the eco-friendly features it touts are dubious. One example is the "plant-based" polylactic acid outer layer, which may come from plants but is still a plastic that won't degrade for hundreds of years.

At 43 cents per diaper in size 4, Honest is overpriced and not much better if at all than any other diaper on this list. Founded in , Pampers has been a major player in the disposable diaper game for 60 years. There's a good chance your parents, and perhaps even their parents, wore Pampers.

Being a household name for that long gives the brand a huge advantage in the market, and for the most part Pampers' reputation is earned by offering reasonable quality at an affordable price. The Pampers performed well in tests. The elastic band creates a tight seal at the waist while still having plenty of give for comfort. The Velcro tabs separate from the back flaps easily and are teal-colored, a feature my vision-impaired father-in-law appreciated as it made them easier to see compared to white on white.

The leg holes fit my daughter's thighs somewhat loosely, but I experienced no leakages. The diaper held overnight, though it left her skin damp in the morning despite these testers belonging to the Pampers Baby Dry line. Pampers work perfectly fine for the money 32 cents each in size 4 , but I just can't get past their baby powder-like smell. The fragrance is "non-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin," according to Pampers, but it's a bit too strong for me.

The Pampers Pure line is fragrance-free, though more expensive at cents per diaper. On the topic of ingredients, Pampers says it uses elemental chlorine-free fluff pulp that comes from Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified sources. These diapers have a lot in common with Pampers -- and that's no coincidence. The absorbent core was able to hold onto fluids well, especially when we held the diaper at an angle and when we applied a weight to the surface.

The only downside was it absorbed the liquid a bit slower than others when we poured it on all at once in the cupped position. Not only were these Aldi diapers the most affordable in our test less than half the cost of others! Our experts were blown away at how well they performed for the price: they had one of the quickest absorbency speeds when we poured the water on all at once. This style is also a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, so GH stands behind it with its money back guarantee.

Not only are these diapers good for babies with delicate skin or diaper rash, but they also follow steps to be better for the environment by using sustainable resources like certified wood pulp and recyclable packaging. Like the Swaddlers, these had quick absorbency in our tests and the absorbent core held onto the fluids without leaking when we applied a weight to the surface.

These also have the full ingredient list online. The patterns are cute without being too cheesy, and they come in lighter colors that are less visible under clothes.

Pampers makes our list again, but this time for its innovative diapers for crawling babies and active walkers. They slide on like underwear instead of closing with tabs and have stretch around the entire waist to give a perfect fit — i. They were overall absorbent and the core held onto fluids well like the other Pampers diapers we tested. They also come with a small piece of tape on the back so you can easily roll them closed before you toss in the diaper pail.

We suggest testing out Huggies and Pampers and seeing which one works best for your baby. However, if your baby has sensitive skin , Pampers is probably a better choice. Chaunie Brusie is a mom of five and a registered nurse turned writer, editor, and author. It's a diaper-to-diaper throw down. Who will win? Updated on July 23, How They Stack Up Brand. Snug, stays on when baby moves. Company Details. The Good. Products Wondering what products are available with each diaper type?

Huggies vs. They come in a variety of stylish prints to suit any baby's personality. Another stand-out feature is the eco-friendliness. No disposable diaper is completely green because they all end up in a landfill at the end of the day , but the Honest diapers are made with plant-based materials and designed with sustainably harvested fluff pulp. They don't contain any latex, fragrances, lotions, or chlorine processing. Parents also love The Honest Company's overnight diapers , which protect against wetness for up to 12 hours.

Luvs is a go-to brand for parents on a budget, but it doesn't sacrifice quality. The diapers have triple leakguard protection to prevent dreaded pee and poop spills, stretchy sides that contain leaks, and a helpful wetness indicator. What's more, "Nightlock Technology" provides 12 hours of protection as your child snoozes.

If you aren't happy with the diapers, Luvs gives a full refund within 45 days of purchase. Hello Bello diapers boast many impressive features, including high levels of absorbency and stretchy side panels.

Lotion, fragrances, latex, chlorine processing, and phthalates are no-shows in these diapers, which are made with a plant-derived core liner and sustainably harvested fluff pulp. You can also choose from plenty of adorable designs, ranging from butterflies to dinosaurs to seasonal specials. Hello Bello also offers cost-cutting bundles that contain seven packs of diapers anywhere from to diapers total, depending on the size you order , four packs of wipes, and other deals.

Visit the Hello Bello website for more information on diaper bundles. Calling all green parents! But note that the environmental-friendliness comes at a price, since they're one of the expensive options on the "best diapers for newborns" round-up. Pampers Pure Diapers are super comfortable and breathable, but they're also manufactured with plant-based materials and recyclable packaging.

Many parents rely on the hypoallergenic diapers for babies with sensitive skin, including those with diaper rash.