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When you find out you’re about to become a parent, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. You’ll soon find yourself making so many decisions including what diapers to use for your new baby. Diapers are part of every parent’s life for at least a few years, with the American Academy of Pediatrics estimating most U.S. parents will go through nearly 3,000 diapers during their baby’s first year alone[1]Changing Diapers. American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed 5/5/2022. .

All babies are different, and certain diapers will provide more comfort or better leak protection depending on the infant. That’s why it pays to troubleshoot and find out what diapers work for your baby, but most busy parents don’t have time to try every option. That’s why the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on nearly 40 types of diapers, factoring in price, materials and available size ranges in order to find the best of the best. See which baby diapers earned our recommendations.

Note: All prices are accurate as of the publication date.

Pampers Baby Dry received a near-perfect score on our ranking for being hypoallergenic, latex and paraben-free. A possible downside is they’re not fragrance-free, however, some parents do enjoy that powdery baby-fresh smell, so that’s a matter of preference.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Plant-based and free of latex, alcohol, perfumes, PVC, lotions, TBT or phthalates, Dyper Bamboo Diapers are a great choice for the eco-conscious family. While not among the most cost-conscious on our list, these diapers are available via monthly delivery, which is extremely convenient for busy caregivers.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Seventh Generation Sensitive Protection diapers are an excellent all-around choice for parents who are especially concerned with diapering as sustainably as possible. The brand uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, sustainably sourced wood fluff pulp to manufacture its diapers, and helps protect waterways by ensuring the absorbent core is bleached or processed with any chemicals containing chlorine. But sustainably-made doesn’t mean ineffective––this diaper scored well for being fragrance free and offering 12-hour leak protection.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Among the most reasonably priced diapers we analyzed, Babyganics Ultra Absorbent are made with a triple-layer core for absorbency and leak protection. The diapers are also made without latex, petroleum-based lotions or fragrances. The core fluff pulp is made without chlorine processing.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Cuties are among the most affordable of all the diapers we analyzed, but pack a punch when it comes to features that matter to parents. The diapers are free of latex, fragrance, dyes and chlorine, with a hypoallergenic inner liner featuring aloe, natural botanicals and vitamin E. Reviewers on Amazon applaud the diapers’ softness and accurate sizing, going up to size seven.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Affordable and free of latex and parabens, Luvs are a classic brand for parents looking for a wallet-friendly diaper that gives their baby a comfortable fit and strong leak protection. The diapers come in a variety of sizes, with reviewers noting how well they work for babies with sensitive skin.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Offering 12-hour wetness protection and an indicator that turns blue when wet, buybuy BABY diapers are an affordable option with sizing for children up to 35 pounds. They come in two fun designs, too. A downside, though, is that they are not as widely available as others on this ranking.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Among the more affordable diapers on our list, Pampers Swaddlers have a number of features parents will appreciate. They’re hypoallergenic, latex and paraben-free. They are not fragrance-free, but if you like that baby powder smell, that could be a plus.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Hypoallergenic, fragrance and latex-free, these affordable diapers are a great choice for older babies (they come in sizes 3-6). If the soft, cloth-like cover and cute patterns don’t win you over, the stretchy leg openings and absorbent material might. Older babies are movers, and a comfy diaper that holds up is a must.

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

Bamboo Nature Diapers are latex and fragrance-free and made of eco-friendly materials that make them a standout for environmentally-minded parents. Certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the diapers’ fluff pulp is TCF (totally chlorine-free).

Have you considered Coterie Hypoallergenic Diapers?

Coterie's diapers are specially designed to be gentle and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable. Here’s why we chose it:

Absorbs liquid up to 4x faster, to help keep your baby’s skin healthier

Engineered with Apex technology for superior softness

Designed for better sleep with absorbent core holds 70% more liquid

To choose the best baby diapers, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data for more than 35 products on factors including:

When it comes to finding the best diaper for your baby, the first consideration is their weight. Start off with a small pack of newborn diapers, as your baby is likely to outgrow this size fairly quickly and will soon require size one diapers. Diapers are sized based on your baby’s weight—below is an example of a sizing chart from Pampers. Diaper Size Baby Weight Size N diapers Under 10 pounds Size 1 diapers 8-14 pounds Size 2 diapers 12-18 pounds Size 3 diapers 16-28 pounds Size 4 diapers 22-37 pounds Size 5 diapers Over 27 pounds Size 6 diapers Over 35 pounds Once you know which diaper brand works best and your baby is in size one, make sure to check the cost per diaper and pay attention when purchasing to make sure you’re getting the best price possible. You may want to try a few different types of diaper to see which one fits your baby best and seems most comfortable.

If you are concerned about the safety or efficacy of disposable diapers in general, you may consider cloth diapering for your little one.

Part of being a parent is figuring out what your baby needs, because they aren’t able to tell you with words. If their diaper just isn’t working out, you’ll know based on a few key signs:

Diaper changing may seem relatively simple, but it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Here are some tips on making the process go smoothly:

Need guidance on how to change a diaper? Check out our step-by-step guide.

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Valerie is a seasoned writer and editor who has spent her career creating content in the parenting and women's wellness spaces. Before joining Forbes Health, Valerie was the trending news editor at Scary Mommy. When she's not helping women and families live their best and healthiest lives, she's spending time with her family, walking her dogs, reading or exercising.

Sarah is an experienced writer and editor enthusiastic about helping readers live their healthiest and happiest lives. Before joining Forbes Health, Sarah worked as a writer for various digital publications including LendingTree, theSkimm, CNBC and Bankrate. When she isn’t writing or editing, you can find Sarah with her nose in a book or enjoying the outdoors with her French bulldog, Honey.