The Clean Diapering Guide
Poo is the only nasty stuff I want to see in my baby's diaper!
It’s been a minute! We’re halfway through summer and per usual, it’s flying by. Last weekend we went down to Monterey for the holiday weekend. The kids loved playing on the beach, visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and watching so many different kinds of wildlife along the shore - sea otters! seals! birds! A week later, our car is still coated in a thick layer of sand but these are the memories I know we’ll cherish forever.
Before I dive into the topic d’jour, I’d be so grateful if you filled out a quick survey! I’m finding that this area of non-toxic/less-toxic living is a passion point of mine (why do we have to just accept the way products are so harmful today?!) and I’d love to learn about how you feel about the topic and what would be most helpful to you on your own journey. If you don’t want to fill out the survey, feel free to shoot me an email at littlegreensubstack@gmail.com. I’d really appreciate any comments you have!
OK! Let’s get into it.
I’ve been thinking about diapers lately, and how they’re on our babies and toddlers skin literally 24/7. They are the material that our babies come in contact with most consistently, and yet we don’t even know what diapers are made of (at least I don’t, so I’ll just speak for myself if everyone else does!). Turns out, most mainstream diapers (the kind you’d find at your local grocery store) are made of a plastic-based top sheet, an absorbent core of wood pulp and superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and a waterproof plastic back sheet. They can also contain adhesives, synthetic elastic, and added fragrances, lotions, or dyes. And remember, these are on our babies’ skin all day.
I remember the first time we put a diaper on S the afternoon she was born. The nurses brought us a fresh pack of Pampers Swaddlers, and as I opened up the pack a strong, powdery scent filled the room. Our perfect newborn who smelled so, so sweet and fresh on her own was now supposed to wear this fake scented diaper? It made zero sense.
Before S was born, we learned about a local diaper composting service called REDYPER. The company drops off compostable diapers made from bamboo every week and picks the dirties up for composting at the same time. Their diapers (DYPER brand) are a cleaner material alternative to mainstream brands, but they also work really well and have zero added fragrance. I’m super grateful this brand exists and that we are privileged to have this option financially. But I wanted to write this post to share why our choice of diaper matters, and some of my favorite options out there that are better than the big-name brands we grew up with.
Diapers
What I’d look for:
Chlorine-free processing (TCF/ECF)
No fragrance, lotions, or phthalates
EWG Verification or full ingredient transparency
Comfortable fit and actual leak protection
Bonus: compostable or sustainably made
My Top 4 Picks
What we use at home. Soft, reliable, and EWG Verified™. I love that they’re compostable through REDYPER, and they’ve never irritated either our kids’ skin.
I haven’t used them myself, but lots of moms I trust love them. Ultra-soft, very absorbent, and supposedly great for overnights—but not EWG-rated and on the pricier side.
Our go-to when we’re away from home. Not perfect, but free from fragrance and lotion, and decent for short-term use when we’re traveling or in a pinch.
These are what we grab when we’re out of town and can’t find any of our top picks. Fragrance-free and made with chlorine-free processing, but not EWG-rated and less transparent on materials.
Baby Wipes
What I’d look for:
Short, recognizable ingredient lists
Plastic-free or biodegradable materials (most mainstream wipes contain plastic FYI)
No fragrance, essential oils, or harsh preservatives
EWG rating where available
My Top 4 Picks
We have to use these with our compostable diapers, but they’re just OK. The packs dry out quickly and I’ve cursed at them a few times when the wipes get stuck in the pack and I’m mid blowout cleanup. EWG Verified™, biodegradable, and compostable.
Allegedly very soft and thick. Also EWG Verified™.
What we pick up when traveling or to keep in the car. Just two ingredients. Gentle, easy to find, and plastic free.
Available at Target - plastic free, fragrance free, and now compostable! Very exciting.
Diaper Creams
What I’d look for:
No petroleum, parabens, or synthetic fragrance
Healing ingredients like calendula, shea, or zinc oxide
Cloth-diaper safe (if using)
EWG Verified preferred
My Top 3 Picks
I’ll be honest - we’ve only used Aquaphor for the occasional diaper rash, and it was only when researching for this post that I realized it’s made of petroleum jelly (duh, probably). According to EWG, there are some concerns with the potential for contamination concerns in the manufacturing process of petroleum jelly - but it still rates the product as a 2/10 (lower the better). I’m not panicking about having used it on my kids all this time but if I were starting over I’d look to one of the below options instead.
EWG Verified™, herbal-based, and fragrance free. Get’s really good reviews.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
Also EWG Verified™, but contains lavender essential oil - which some have concerns with.
EWG Verified™, unscented, and contains zinc-oxide, which is great for drying out a gnarly diaper rash.
Have any favorite diapering products or brands I didn’t mention? Let me know!
One final reminder about the survey here. Thank you!!
With you in the mess - and joys! - of parenting & beyond :)
<3 A