Choosing the best diapers for newborns can be quite overwhelming.
Especially if you’re a first-time parent.
There are just too many diaper brands and types in the market to choose from and they seem to have more or less the same quality.
So how do you know which newborn diaper to get for your baby?
What features should you prioritize in the best newborn diaper?
What are the most popular diaper brands out there that are highly recommended by a lot of parents?
Find out the answers here and more.
I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
List of Contents
Best Diapers for Newborns
Huggies Little Snugglers Newborn Diapers
This was the most highly recommended, most mentioned newborn diaper by a LOT of parents.
And not just because it’s one of the diapers that’s used in hospitals for first-time parents.
But because of its awesome features like how it wraps around your baby better and provides better coverage.
And most importantly, it has a “back poop catcher” – a back pocket inside the diaper that catches leaks and messes and keeps them in!
Of course, it’s not the perfect diaper that can stop diaper leakages and blowouts. But tons of parents have said that they never or rarely experienced those while using Huggies Little Snugglers.
By the way, check out my Huggies Little Snugglers absorbency review below:
Kirkland Signature (Costco) Diapers
Now, this was surprising for me as I was expecting Pampers Swaddlers to be the 2nd most recommended best diapers for newborns.
But apparently, Kirkland Costco diapers seem to be 2nd best recommended newborn diapers. Even though they don’t have a newborn size!
It was also amazing to learn that Kirkland Diapers are made by Kimberly-Clark, the same manufacturer as Huggies.
And when you consider that, I guess it’s no surprise why parents like this diaper, as it has similar features to the Huggies Little Snugglers, only cheaper.
Pampers Swaddlers Newborn Diapers
This is another go-to diaper in hospitals, because of its highly absorbent and gentle material.
It also has quite a stretchable waistband and seems to look bigger than Huggies and most parents like that it can cover their baby well.
Most say that they’ve never had any diaper leaks, poop explosions, and diaper blowouts and that their newborn never developed any rashes.
But a few parents find its fitting too large for a newborn, while some say it caused a terrible rash on their newborn.
It does look bigger plus feels a little less soft, compared to Huggies Little Snugglers.
But for most parents, it’s been an amazing diaper that can hold a lot of liquid and has helped them avoid diaper leakages.
This is true, we’ve tested this and it can really keep a large amount of liquid without it leaking!
Honest Newborn Baby Diapers
This was a surprising recommendation as well…Honest is not exactly known for their super absorbent and rash-free diapers.
I’ve seen a significant number of complaints before about Honest causing diaper rashes, diaper blowouts, running smaller than usual diapers, etc.
Related Article: 27 Best Diaper Blowout Hacks Every Parent Should Know!
But after tallying a few hundred votes, this one comes in the top 4 of the most highly recommended diapers for newborns.
For most parents, Honest works well on their baby.
Most had minimal to zero diaper leaks, no irritation, they’re less bulky plus they had cute, adorable prints and designs!
Hello Bello Newborn Diapers
Hello Bello is constantly compared to Honest diapers because both are popular eco-friendly diapers with more or less the same features – colorful prints, non-toxic materials, etc.
Related Article: Hello Bello vs Honest Diaper Subscription
They also share more or less, the same negative reviews about not being absorbent enough.
But most parents love them as daytime diapers plus for most, they were the only diapers that didn’t give their babies a diaper rash.
Pampers Pure Disposable Newborn Diapers
Pampers Pure has an absorbent plant-based liner, which is enriched with shea butter to better protect your newborn’s skin.
And some parents love how gentle and soft this is on their baby.
And that it has never caused any diaper rashes, leaks, or diaper blowouts.
Related Article: The Very Best Diapers For Blowouts [Budget and Premium]
But it has mixed reviews, as some parents said it has a disappointing absorbency and for some, it, unfortunately, gave their newborns a diaper rash.
DYPER Baby Diapers Size Newborn
This is considered one of the best non-toxic diapers out there but it does have some mixed reviews.
Some said that it’s horrible at absorbing liquid and it has given them numerous diaper leakages and blowouts all the time.
But some of them even used it as an overnight diaper and it’s better than Pampers!
Most love how eco-friendly and gentle this is on their newborns.
One mom even said that it’s as soft as Coterie (an expensive non-toxic diaper) and fits better than the seventh generation.
Parent’s Choice Dry & Gentle Newborn Diapers
This has also some mixed reviews as some parents said it leaks horribly, the sizes are way too small compared to other brands, and they smell of chemicals.
While some said it’s the best diaper out there that’s absorbent enough for their newborn and they love the price as it’s not expensive.
Buying Guide on Best Newborn Diapers
Here’s what you should consider when choosing the best disposable diapers for newborns:
- Good Absorbency
An ideal newborn baby should be able to absorb a large amount of pee and poop, quickly, without it leaking or looking and becoming saggy.
It’s important to have that quick absorbent feature as leaving your baby soaking in their pee and poop can lead to irritation and rashes.
- Stretchability and Fit
The diaper should also fit well to accommodate your baby’s frame, without leaving any marks on their skin.
So look for diapers that are built for your baby’s size, as some diapers can run small, and others are bigger and longer.
- Gentle and Soft
Ideally, all diapers for newborn babies should be gentle, soft, and breathable, and shouldn’t cause any form of irritation, redness, or even diaper rash to newborns.
So feel the diaper and see how soft and gentle it is.
- Wetness Indicator Lines
This is a useful feature to have on newborn baby diapers to easily know if your baby needs changing, without having to feel the diaper and probably. wake up a sleeping baby in the process.
- Budget and Convenience
If the best diaper is way too expensive and/or way too challenging to get (constant shipping issues, not available at popular stores), then it’s probably best if you just get the 2nd best diaper on your list.
- Umbilical Cutout
It’s not a must, but a newborn diaper that an umbilical cord cutout can help to avoid any irritation in the tummy area of your newborn.
Alternatives to the Best Baby Newborn Baby Diapers
Cloth diapers can be your best alternative for an eco-friendly, gentle newborn baby diaper!
Check out these cloth diaper brands below:
FAQ: Best Diapers for Newborns and Baby
What is the best diaper brand for newborns?
The best diaper brand for newborns so far is Huggies, followed by Kirkland then Pampers.
What diapers do pediatricians recommend?
The diapers that pediatricians would recommend are Pampers and Huggies. They are the 2 diaper brands that are used in hospitals as well.
Is it better to buy newborn diapers or size 1?
It’s better to buy a newborn diaper if your baby is a smaller size.
If your baby seems larger than the normal size, then a Size 1 diaper might fit them better.
Either way, just buy a small pack first and test which diaper brand and size fits your newborn best.
What diapers do hospitals use for babies?
The diapers that hospitals use for babies are Pampers and Huggies.
What’s better: Huggies or Pampers?
Huggies are better for a newborn as it has a snug fit, feels softer than Pampers, and can absorb a large amount of liquid and keep your baby dry, based on the test we’ve done.
But Pampers is not that bad, as it’s slightly bigger and has a more elastic waistband, which can accommodate thicker babies. Plus, based on an absorbency test we’ve done, it can quickly absorb liquid a little faster than Huggies.
Newborn Diapering Tips and Hacks
- Buy “test packs”
Or smaller packs. Don’t buy in bulk yet as you need to test out your chosen diapers if they work on your little one.
- Consider your baby’s shape
Some diapers are built for skinny babies. Others can accommodate chunky babies.
So you really need to test out diapers first and find out how it fits well on your baby.
- Change diapers often
Change them every 2 – 3 hours. This is mostly to avoid diaper rashes.
- Always apply diaper rash cream
This is one of the best ways to avoid diaper rash – by always applying a diaper rash cream every diaper change, regardless if your baby doesn’t have any rash or not.
Wrapping Up: Best Diapers for Newborns
I would recommend testing first the diaper that your hospital will provide.
So that would be either Pampers or Huggies. Hopefully, either one will work on your newborn.
But if not, consider the list above and go through the top newborn diapers in it. Try Kirkland – it’s like Huggies but cheaper!
Also remember that all babies are different – the best, top diaper in the world might not work for your little one. Or the worse diaper that has a lot of negative reviews, might just suit your baby!
You never know, so it might take some trial and error. Hopefully, you’ll find the one that’s gentle and fits well on your baby, and has great absorbency as well!
If you love this article, then make sure to check out these guides on:
- Best Non Toxic Diapers (With Good Absorption!)
- Best Overnight Diapers for Heavy Wetters
- Huggies Little Snugglers vs Pampers Swaddlers (With Real Life Test Videos!)
- What Diapers Do Hospitals Use?
- Pampers Swaddlers vs Cruisers (With Test Video)
- Hello Bello vs Honest Diaper (With Absorbency Test Video!)
- Hello Bello vs Pampers Swaddlers (With Real Life Comparison Test Video)
