Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Sensitive Unscented Baby Wipes, 1008 Count (18 Packs of 56)

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Eco-friendly’, ‘natural’ and ‘biodegradable’ are all very popular buzzwords right now when it comes to choosing the best diapers for your baby. A diaper might describe itself as natural if it uses plant-based materials like bamboo, which is a common material in many brands. If you want limited ingredients, hoping to avoid as many chemicals and additives as possible, it simply must be the Water Wipes. As the name implies, Water Wipes are almost entirely water (precisely 99.9%) with 0.1% of grapefruit seed extract. These durable wipes have no odor, are soft, and leave no residue. The Water Wipes are the smallest in the group and relatively thin, but they stretch to over 14 inches long without tearing, and they get the job done without added chemicals. The Seventh Generation Wipes are similar to Pampers Aqua Pure with fewer than seven ingredients, with most being plant extracts and the first being water. These scent-free wipes are gentle and less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Eco by Naty Unscented Baby Wipes lists nine ingredients, with most being preservatives to avoid mold and other issues related to keeping wipes fresh. Harder to use dispenser DYPER Bamboo Baby Wet Wipes is an interesting wipe from a B corporation (gotta love that). Each diaper is soft viscose bamboo and contains no alcohol, chlorine, latex, perfumes, PVC, lotions, TBT, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. These wipes have no odor and are 99% water. During testing, we felt the wipe was on par with other leading contenders for durability, size, and softness but tore somewhat easier than most of the competition when put under stress. While they didn't have a problem with tushie-related business, they weren't as durable for cleaning grubby hands or high chair trays. The majority of their varieties are made predominantly with plastics and contain a whole host of chemicals and toxins that are no good for your baby. And Pampers Pure Protection might use some plant-based material, but it doesn’t say how much. Gentle Touch diapers fare better in the ‘natural’ stakes, being hypoallergenic and free from chlorine bleaching, perfumes, lotions, parabens and phthalates. So while they’re not made with a high percentage of plant-based or ‘naturally derived’ materials, as far as we know, they’re gentler on baby’s skin – as the name suggests!

WaterWipes come highly recommended by our experts, because they’re incredibly kind to children’s skin: They’re 99% water, with the last 1% being a cellulose-based material plus a drop of grapefruit extract.In terms of toxicity and price, Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers win hands-down. They’re free of phthalates and are super budget-friendly at 19 cents each (for size 3). Made by a father who was unhappy with his young daughter’s constant diaper rashes from less skin-sensitive wipes, WaterWipes were designed with a focus on minimalism and a dash of eco-friendliness. All that water goes through a seven-step purification process to make sure it’s as clean as possible and, according to the manufacturer, this lowers the surface tension of all that water which “results in a deeper clean.” Mama Bear’s Plush Protection diapers are made with the sustainably sourced pulp, but it doesn’t state the percentage used. It’s safe to say, therefore, that Mama Bear diapers are made predominantly with petroleum-based plastic. Unlike brands like Ecoriginals and Dyper, who use high percentages of plant-based materials in their diapers, Mama Bear doesn’t boast anything near as impressive. It’s great that they’re produced in a ‘zero waste to landfill facility’ and use some plant-based materials, but that’s just not enough… Gritters is also a journalist with a decade of experience reviewing kids products, outdoor gear and apparel. You can find her bylines on Wirecutter, Forbes, Slate and elsewhere. Most recently, she tested baby carriers and diapers for Forbes Vetted. She also has two kids, ages 1 and 3.5, and reports that “I’ve been wiping butts for nearly four years and have a lot of opinions about baby wipes; we use them for everything in our house.”

Mama Bear Plush Protection don’t state outright that they’re free from phthalates, so Gentle Touch diapers definitely win in the chemical stakes! The Forbes Vetted’s team has deep experience in testing and reviewing baby and kids gear—and includes a number of parents with years of experience in the category. We’re focused on sharing safe and useful products that make this parenting journey a bit easier and enjoyable.

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Essentially, phthalates are used in all sorts of household items, from vinyl flooring and wall covering to cosmetics and children’s toys. Some studies have shown that long-term exposure to this chemical could increase the likelihood of eczema and asthma in little ones and even affect genital development in boys. Suffice to say, it’s something to stay away from if you can! For this story, writer Jenni Gritters tapped into the expertise of physicians and nurses, childcare providers and beyond. She spoke with Christine Hernandez, a certified doula, early childhood and parenting expert, and the founder of Allo Saratoga; Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine physician; and Samantha Eaker, a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric urology. Eaker is also a new mom herself and a medical advisor at Aeroflow Urology. Nr. 2 magic property is that licorice is a potent anti-inflammatory. Glabridin has also some soothing properties but the main active anti-inflammatory component is glycyrrhizin. It’s used to treat several skin diseases that are connected to inflammation including atopic dermatitis, rosacea or eczema. The fact that Mama Bear diapers beat the best of Pampers and Huggies tells you everything you need to know…

Gro Via O.N.E diapers are one of my favorites, and they’re even good for overnight wear. At around 23 dollars per diaper, while this sounds expensive, a couple of hundred dollars will set you up and save you lots of money in the long run. Buying reusable diapers for your little one from newborn to toddler definitely isn’t cheap! Have a read of my best overnight diapers article, especially if your baby is a heavy wetter. Mama Bear Best Fit diapers at a glance The GoodMama Bear Gentle Touch diapers are completely free of the main toxin culprits often found in disposable diapers, including phthalates, lotions, fragrances, and heavy metal dyes. While they’re non-toxic, they’re still made with petroleum-based plastics, so they might be better for your baby’s skin, but they’re not the best diapers for the planet.