With recent news focusing on the problems with mainstream big brand diapers, many parents are looking for alternatives. Whether you are looking for chemical free options or the best way to reduce your baby's carbon footprint, here is a breakdown of the different types of diapers to try, along with some pros and cons and price breakdowns.
As a new mother myself I know I wanted to find the best option for my family. We started off using the big brand diaper only because, well, we didn't know any better. After becoming more concerned with what I was putting on my child and being a little disappointed in what I considered an under-handed way of introducing a new diaper, I went out and did my research. I looked at what other mothers had recommended, then did price comparisons, and my own on-baby-butt testing.
Disposables
Obviously the biggest issue with disposables in well, they are disposable. They come off your baby's bottom and go straight in the trash, thus landing straight in our landfills. However, they are convenient. There is no washing or drying, you just change and go. Here are a few disposables that are a bit more friendly to the environment and your baby.
Seventh Generation:
As of right now, these are the diapers we use. After having a panic attack (ie. freak out) about all the chemicals in big brand diapers, I found that these diapers worked best for us as far as cost and content. The nice thing about Seventh Generation is that they disclose the contents of the diaper. Big brand diaper companies will tell you they can't say what is in the diaper because it's proprietary. So if you are a concerned parent just wanting to know what you are putting on your baby's skin, they won't tell you.
Seventh Generation diapers are chlorine-free, latex free, fragrance free and hypoallergenic. Making these diapers chlorine-free cuts out a rather environmentally taxing process that many of the big brand diapers use. Thus making the Seventh Generation diapers brown, which for some reason, I love. The only downside I see to these diapers is that they still use Sodium Polyacrylate (SAP), which are the little absorbent gel beads found in most disposable diapers. From my experience, I think these diapers are more absorbent than the so-called super absorbent big brand.
As for a cost breakdown, compared to the big brands, these diapers will run you about 2 cents more per diaper. (Based on current prices on Amazon.com)
Tushies:
We have not personally tested this diaper but after talking to a few moms who have, they say they like them, however when the diaper gets wet it gets stiff and is a bit bulky.
Tushies say they are gel (Sodium Polyacrylate (SAP)), latex, perfume, dye, TBT (Tributylin), GMO, and chlorine free. Instead of the absorbent gel Sodium Polyacrylate, Tushies uses a Non-Chlorine bleached wood pulp mixed with cotton. If you have a baby that has sensitive skin, this may be the one to go with.
Tushies will cost you about $0.37 per diaper, about 10 cents more than the big brand diapers. Not too bad, but definitely a little bit more expensive. (Based on current prices on Amazon.com)
Earth's Best:
Again, we have not personally tested these diapers but from what other moms have said, there are mixed opinions on these. Some moms have said the sizes tend to run smaller and they are stiff. However, some moms swear by them.
Earth's Best diapers are Chlorine-free, and their website says they contain natural absorbent material such as corn and wheat, but other moms have said they actually contain the Sodium Polyacrylate (SAP) gel. I have also heard that the gel comes out of the diaper.
As for a price comparison, the Earth's Best diapers will run you $0.32 per diapers. Still a little bit more than the mainstream big brand diapers. Not bad. (Based on current prices on Amazon.com)
Nature Babycare:
These are diapers I am dying to try out. The company was founded by a Swedish mother who is "a champion of environmental causes". The diapers are said to be made out of biodegradable materials based on corn. They are chlorine-free, GM free, latex free, and TBT (Tributylin) free. I have heard pretty good things about these diapers as far as leak protection.
The Nature Babycare diapers will run you $0.35 per diaper. (Based on current prices on Amazon.com)
If you know of any other disposable diapers that are better for the environment or baby, please leave your comments. Or if you have had experience with any that I have commented on, let me know.
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