We all know that one of the essential items a parent of a newborn baby must have. As soon as the baby gets out of the womb, a diaper is a must to keep their bottoms dry and prevent big messes. Since they won’t be potty-trained right away, diapers are lifesavers.

Every family has different dynamics, so some kids wear diapers well into their toddlerhood while others were trained to do without them early on. No matter when your kid starts to stay dry without diapers, it is good to use the best brand of diapers for your baby to keep their bums soft and rash-free.

Here’s a guide to help you pick the diaper that’s just right for your little one.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Diaper for Your Baby

Picking diapers can be confusing since many brands and variants are competing for your attention. When shopping, you may be tempted to pick up the first one you see or something you saw in an advertisement, but there may be better choices for your baby. So what should you consider when looking for a diaper to buy? We’ll tell you.

Disposable vs. Cloth Diapers

First, we have to decide if you’re going for disposable diapers or cloth diapers. Each has its own pros and cons. If you’re a first-time parent, you’ll probably want to lean into using disposable diapers first for your newborn for your convenience. Cloth diapers are reusable, so you need to wash them carefully (especially if they handle baby poop). Newborns can be a lot of work, so you probably don’t want to add washing cloth diapers to your to-do list.

However, if you are conscious about your environmental footprint and expenses, cloth diapers are a much better choice in the long run. With cloth diapers, you won’t have a ton of diapers to throw out. Plus, it’s safe for the baby’s skin because it can help prevent rashes.

Absorbency

Diapers have to be absorbent, or they become useless, as it is their fundamental function. It should be able to absorb a lot of pee without leaking or becoming saggy. No one likes a leaky diaper – we put diapers on babies, so we don’t have to wash a lot of underpants. Also, an absorbent diaper keeps the wetness away from the baby’s skin, protecting it against irritation, rashes, and chafing.

Diapers that have a high absorption capacity will help your baby feel dry and have an uninterrupted sleep overnight. If you got a nice diaper brand, you don’t have to look for overnight diaper varieties, as their ordinary diapers can handle it.

Brand

Whether you’re brand-conscious or not when it comes to other things, the brand of your diaper is an important consideration. Reputable brands have been in the business with loyal consumers because of their expertise and product reliability. These companies can conduct their own research to develop newer and better features to improve their diapers. If you’re unsure what to buy, don’t start with unheard-of brands. You can try them once you have tried other brands.

Softness and Breathability

Since your baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive, the softness and breathability of the diaper’s material are of prime importance. Rashes are one of the major concerns that new parents tend to worry about when choosing baby diapers, and this problem can be avoided if you choose highly breathable diapers that allow the air to pass through them.

If you choose cloth diapers, your baby will be less prone to rashes because they use breathable cloth.

Ease of Use

Diapers must be easy to remove and replace, so make sure you buy one that can be easily fastened. It plays a vital role in not making every diaper-changing session a chore. You will be changing your baby’s diaper multiple times a day, so you’ll want it fuss-free.

If you’re choosing a reusable diaper, don’t choose those with Velcro-style fasteners. These can be tricky to use when wet, and they may also lose their strength after repeated opening and closing, so it’s wiser to go for those with snap button fasteners.

Comfortability

Babies wear diapers for the majority of the day. Many babies only go diaperless during baths. So, the comfort of diapers is an important consideration. Pick a quality diaper to ensure comfort.

If you find that your child is getting rashes over and over again, even if you’re changing the diapers frequently, you may need to switch brands as the quality of the diaper may not be good.

Lightweight

Your baby’s diapers must be thin and lightweight. Thick diapers make it difficult for babies to move around. To ensure that your baby can enjoy a fun time, it must be thin and absorbent, so your baby can move around freely. Thin diapers are also easier to carry in diaper bags when you’re taking the baby out. 

Special features

Look for the different features of the diaper brands available to you. Consider the features that will be helpful for you and your baby. Here are some of the special features of some diapers that make it their selling point:

Wetness indicator

Many brands nowadays offer baby diapers with wetness indicator lines. These lines on the diaper’s exterior turn to a different color to indicate that it’s time to change your baby’s diaper. Some come with white lines that turn yellow when soiled, while some change their color from yellow to blue. It’s a convenient feature, so you don’t have to check the diaper from the inside.

Stretchability

Another essential feature you must look for in a diaper is its stretchability. It must be stretchy enough to fit your baby’s waist and thighs without leaving any creases and marks on the skin. If you’re seeing red indentations around your baby’s waist or legs, it means you may have to switch to a larger size or choose another brand.

When it comes to cloth diapers, you won’t have a problem with stretchability because they are often available in a one-size-fits-all design. These are also more comfortable than disposable diapers as they are made of absorbent cloth.

Shaped for newborns

If you’re looking for diaper for newborns, it must have a cutout or space on the front that goes around the umbilical area to keep exposed to air to help it heal. 

Baby’s Size or Weight

Knowing the baby’s size and weight will determine what size of diaper you need to buy and how much. No two baby is alike – it doesn’t mean that two eight-month-old babies have the same diaper size. This is why diapers are sized according to weight and not the baby’s age. When buying, you should always check the weight guidelines for each diaper unless you will end up picking an uncomfortable size. The diaper must not be too tight to prevent the wetness from staying in contact with your baby’s bum. It must also not be too loose, or else it will be leaky, and it will make it harder to put on some clothes for your baby.  

Babies below one year of age grow too fast – you’ll probably go through 4-5 different diaper sizes from their birth to their first birthday. So, it won’t be wise to buy too much, or you will have unused diaper packs lying around.

There’s no standard for sizing for all diapers, and it may vary for different brands. Some brands offer preemie, newborn, and sizes 1-6, while some sell diapers from newborns and then go to small, medium, large, and so on. Babies grow at their own rates and come in different sizes, so it’s hard to determine how many diapers of a particular size a baby will use. Here’s a chart to give you a general overview.

Note: This is a general diaper chart only – if you have a particular brand you’re looking into, check their specific sizing directions for a more accurate match.

Budget

For many parents, budget is a big consideration. After all, diapers are just one of the many expenses when you have a baby. When you’re still preparing for the birth of your little one, buy a medium-sized pack of two to three diaper brands to check if it works well for your baby. Once you note the product that has impressed you in absorbability and comfort, you can buy them in bigger packs. Do not settle for having one small pack of diapers because you will run out of them quickly. Buying in bulk beforehand is not practical – if your baby ends up having rashes due to that diaper, you will not be able to use them all.

Disposable diapers will be an added expense for your household until the child is potty-trained, so if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, choose reusable cloth diapers. They need a higher upfront cost, but it will save you more money in the long run. Stock up a lot of them, so you don’t need to wash cloth diapers every day. Some can even be reused for later siblings, which helps drive down the cost more.