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This is post number three in The Best Cloth Diapers series. Check out the other posts in the series:
- Top 5 for the Budget-Conscious
- Top 5 for Those That Need Low-Maintenance
- Top 5 for the Eco-Friendly Family
This post is going to focus on the top 5 for the natural/healthy/crunchy families. It will have a special focus on the best cloth diapers that use natural, organic materials.
When you think about it, babies have a diaper on practically 24/7 for 2-3 years. Whatever diaper you choose for your baby is constantly sitting against your babies skin, except for diaper changes and baths.
When you think about it that way, many parents become wary of the chemicals found in disposables. Disposables contain fragrances, dyes, and dioxins, which are known carcinogens.
While almost all experts agree that the levels of these chemicals in the diapers are low enough not to be harmful, given the fact that these diapers are constantly against babies skin for a couple years or more, some parents are skeptical.
This leads to many families choosing to use cloth diapers for health reasons as a way to avoid unnecessary chemicals in their child’s diapers. Their child may even have very sensitive skin that makes natural fibers a necessity for them.
Most cloth diapers are made waterproof by having an outer layer of PUL or TPU which is a plastic. Many “crunchy” parents are okay with that because for the most part, the outer layer doesn’t touch baby’s skin. However, many families want to avoid plastic on their diapers as much as possible. I will describe options for both of these situations.
Here are my favorite diapers for the natural & health-focused parents out there!
1. Smart Bottoms Organic All-in-One
The Smart Bottoms Organic All-in-One is made of a 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} organic cotton inner with 10 absorbent layers and 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} PUL outer layer. Here is a more detailed review on Smart Bottoms to show you all that they offer as a brand.
Not only are these diapers made from organic cotton (which is not only healthier, but also better for the environment), they are manufactured in America.
Smart Bottoms Organic All-in-Ones consistently receive rave reviews, and the founder of the company is a parent with the same concerns about the health of her children that all of us have. This makes this diaper an excellent choice for all the crunchy mamas out there.
Click here to see the Smart Bottoms Organic All-in-One at Nicki’s Diapers! It is also available at Amazon.
2. Blueberry Simplex All-in-One
The Blueberry Simplex is actually one of my favorite diapers of all time! Here is a more detailed review I’ve written about the Simplex.
There are two versions of the Blueberry Simplex out there; one organic, and one not. The organic Blueberry Simplex is reasonably priced for an organic diaper, and is only priced marginally higher than the non-organic version. That isn’t something I feel like you see very often!
This diaper has 10 layers of organic cotton for the absorbent inner layer, and an outer layer of PUL. There are inner pockets that allow you to add extra inserts if you need more absorbency. This diaper comes with a flap that has a layer of micro-fleece attached. That micro-fleece is for “stay dry” purposes. If you wish only natural fibers to touch your baby’s skin, you can tuck that flap inside the pocket.
I absolutely love the fit of this diaper. It fits so cozy and comfortably. The tabs are easy to pull and snap into place, unlike some other brands. This makes it less cumbersome to get a good fit.
It would serve you well to have at least a few of these in your stash.
You can get the Blueberry Organic Simplex here at Nicki’s Diapers! It is also available on Amazon.
3. Organic Prefolds & Covers
This is a great option for parents out there that are crunchy, but don’t have the budget for all-in-ones. There are so many great options out there for organic prefolds. I personally love the OsoCozy brand. They have organic options for cotton and bamboo prefolds. (Tip: At the time of this post, the organic cotton prefolds are an add-on item on Amazon, meaning they are a STEAL of a price as long as you have other things to order…like maybe a diaper cover?)
Don’t let the old-fashioned nature of a prefold scare you. All the wrapping and folding you might be picturing is actually for flats. Prefolds are a bit more modern and less cumbersome than flats, though still of the same spirit. They are easy to use and put on a baby. There are many ways you can fold it, so you’re sure to find your favorite way with a bit of experimentation. Here is a video from Faith’s Attic to help you out.
As far as covers, there are a lot of great options out there! Some of my favorites are the Thirsties Duo Wrap and bumGenius Flip covers.
Along with Amazon, you can get Osocozy prefolds and covers at Nicki’s Diapers.
4. Grovia Organic All-in-One
Grovia’s Organic All-in-One is an all-in-one with a 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} certified organic cotton inner and an outer layer of TPU.
This diaper is unique because of its side snaps instead of front snaps. Snap placement is a personal preference, but a lot of people like side snaps for getting a more customized fit. You are able to adjust the waist and legs separately.
This diaper has 4 layers of cotton on the inner part of the diaper, 4 layers on the snap-in booster, plus 2 more layers lining the outer TPU. You can start without the snap in booster, but as your child gets older, it’s an easy way to add more absorbency.
The Grovia Organic All-in-One is very trim and fits under skinny pants!
Grovia’s website is the best place to get the organic all-in-one. See what options are available by clicking here!
5. Wool Covers
Wool covers are an option if you are uncomfortable with using any sort of unnatural fiber on your baby. Wool can absorb three times its weight before it leaks, making it an excellent choice for a natural-fiber diaper cover. They can be used with prefolds (check out my recommendations on #3 above), flats, or fitteds. Nicki’s Diapers makes an excellent bamboo and organic cotton fitted at a reasonable price.
Wool seems like it would be hot and scratchy, but that isn’t the case. Most people find wool covers to be very soft and cozy.
Disana is a popular brand of wool cover made in Germany. It is 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} organic. They are also more economical than some other “high-end” brands out there, though many people believe the Disana brand is better!
Wool is a wonderful option for the all-natural parents out there! However, it is not a low-maintenance option (needs to be “lanolized” every 2-3 weeks), and it is not a cheap option, either. But if you are a crafty person, there’s no reason you can’t knit one!
Amazon is the most convenient place to get the Disana wool covers that I can find.
If you don’t like the idea of wool, unfortunately there isn’t much else out there that would be sufficiently waterproof but also 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} natural.
Choose Natural, Organic Fibers
The best thing you can do if you are cloth diapering for health reasons is to choose natural and organic fibers for your cloth diapers. What’s wonderful is that there are so many great quality options out there! Many cloth diaper companies are started by families with the same goals as its customers. That means a quality product that they pour their heart and soul into, and that we can fully trust.
Which of these diapers appeals to you? Do you have any other suggestions for the natural parents out there? Let me know in the comments!
Wow this is a nice article with many options for parents wanting to have the safest diapers for their baby. I really like the 5th one and for a wool diaper it looks cute too. I had a feeling it was going to be a high maintenance diaper to work with, but that is ok for what you get.
You win some, you lose some, right?
Cloth diapers have quietly been replaced by the disposable diapers as mothers now find it easier and less stressful compared to the cloth diapers. The disposable diapers however have become a major pollution in the environment today and I strongly support the clothes diapers coming back. I’ll recommend thos for mothers today
Thanks for your support!
Judging from the amount of diaper we need to change in our boys I can understand that disposable diapers have become a major environmental problem nowadays. In all honesty I never knew about these cloth diapers but now that I read your article I will look into them in more detail and ask my wife to do the same also. Thank you for educating us.
Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions. 🙂
As a father who has a small baby in daily need of diapers, I love the idea of these products. They look comfy and keep the baby clean. They will be of more help, so next time we need diapers, I will recommend to my wife that she takes a look into these. They look like a great idea and I think she will love them.
Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions about using cloth!
I always prefer buying organic products.
Why? Because you want to know how it is grown? Right?
That means that pesticides or insecticides or fungicides or whatever chemicals were used to help grow the plans were eco-friendly and safer for humans. Conventional pesticides and chemicals can be cancer-causing. The same goes for choosing baby diapers. Organic cotton means that the cotton is grown in a safer environment for the workers, safer for the soil and in general a better way of growing cotton compared to the regular conventional way.
I agree, Leo. So many benefits to choosing organic products. I hope as time goes on, they can become more attainable for the average person. I’ve already noticed the availability going up and price going down for many products, which is a great thing. I think most people would want to choose organic if they could because they have heard about it being a good thing, but the price difference keeps them away. I can’t wait to see how we are able to make this more attainable for everyone, not just those with big wallets. I think it will be in time!
Wow! Your products are nice. Though I have not tried it out but from the descriptions you gave here on the website about the products they are really awesome as they are made with a 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} certified organic cotton, inner and an outer layer of TPU. Wow this is awesome and healthy for any child or anyone who uses it as there are no side effects resulting from the usage of the cloth diapers. Thanks for sharing the information about this product.
You’re welcome!
I have tried the WOOL covers in the past and it helped me a little. I bought some Grovia’s Organic All-in-One from my local health store because I heard it’s helpful and as you said, the Grovia Organic All-in-One is very trim and fits under skinny pants! It has 4 layers of cotton on the inner part of the diaper. Also I like the Organic Prefolds & Covers, I have checked the price and they are easy to use. Might have to try these out. Thanks!
That’s awesome, thanks!
Hi! I really can’t trust these doctors that say the chemicals found in disposables are low enough not to be harmful. I would always go on the safe lane when it comes to my children. I may be a bit skeptical, but I have my reasons.
I greatly appreciate this top 5 you put together. And I personally prefer the Grovia’s Organic All-in-One because of the additional feature of being able to adjust the waist and legs separately. Thank you very much!
Thanks, Henry! Glad you enjoyed the article!