Is your little bundle of joy about to arrive?
Or maybe you've already given birth and aren't fully happy with your choice of newborn diapers? New parents face many dilemmas. The first diapers for a newborn are often chosen at random. Later it turns out they’re too big, irritating, or leaky. So what should you pay attention to? Which newborn diapers are really the best?
Newborn diapers gentle on delicate skin
A newborn’s skin is extremely sensitive. It doesn’t tolerate contact with synthetic materials well. Irritations often appear, caused by unsuitable skincare products or the wrong type of diapers.
When choosing your baby’s first diapers, check their composition. They should be made of natural materials such as bamboo fibers. These are plant-based and make the diaper soft and pleasant to the touch. Bamboo also has breathable and hypoallergenic properties, and it absorbs moisture very well.
Newborn diapers should also be free from all chemicals. The best ones are free from perfumes, phthalates, and chlorine—this helps reduce the risk of irritation to a minimum.
First diapers for newborns with a belly button cutout
A belly button cutout isn’t standard in all newborn diapers, but it can be a lifesaver early on. After birth, the baby has an umbilical stump that naturally falls off within around 2 weeks. It requires special care during this time. It needs to breathe—so ideally it shouldn’t be covered, even by a diaper. It’s also a delicate spot that shouldn’t be pressed.
Newborn diapers with a navel cutout make daily baby care easier. There’s no need to fold the diaper down, which doesn’t always work anyway. The stump gets better airflow and heals faster. This feature is usually found in size 1 diapers, and in the case of Bambiboo diapers wrapped in bamboo, it's also included in size 2.
Newborn diapers in the right size
Newborn diapers must fit your baby’s size. Babies can have very different birth weights. Some full-term babies weigh around 2.5 kg, while others can be over 5 kg. Most newborn diapers have stretchy waist and leg bands, and adjustable fasteners, but they still come in different sizes.
Most parents start with size 1, suitable for babies from around 2 kg to 4–5 kg. For preemies under 2 kg, size 0 diapers work best. For bigger newborns, size 2 may fit better right away.
What kind of newborn diapers make life easier for parents?
Size and material matter—but the best first diapers depend on more than that. Helpful features include a wetness indicator—a strip on the outside of the diaper that changes color when it’s time to change it. Other practical features? 3D frills (they need to be folded outward to prevent leaks), stretch wings for a better fit, and strong fasteners that don’t come undone on their own.
Motherhood is full of tough choices, and picking your baby’s first diapers is one of them. Here’s a quick checklist: look for the right size, a belly button cutout, a wetness indicator, good absorbency, and natural materials—especially the layer next to the skin. Also, check if the cellulose pulp is TCF (Totally Chlorine Free), and whether the diapers are certified by independent testing institutes, such as OEKO TEX STANDARD 100 or Dermatest.
