Your baby will go through about 6,000 diaper changes before potty training. That's 6,000 times something is pressed against their most sensitive skin, absorbing moisture, and sitting there for hours. When Levi got a persistent rash at three months, we realized the "hypoallergenic" diapers we'd been using weren't as clean as we thought — fragrance, lotions, and chlorine-bleached materials were the likely culprits.
The diaper aisle is full of products claiming to be gentle and natural, but most still use synthetic fragrances, chlorine bleaching, or chemical additives that have no business touching a baby's skin all day.
Babies wear diapers 24/7 for years, and their diaper area has some of the thinnest, most absorbent skin on their body. Chemicals in diapers and wipes don't just sit on the surface — they can be absorbed. When you're using 8-10 diapers and dozens of wipes every single day, the quality of those materials compounds quickly.
Every product below has been individually vetted by our co-founders Kyle Fitzgerald (730K+ followers) and Amanda Rocchio (1.6M+ followers). No paid placements. No sponsored picks.
✅ What to Look For
Diapers
Cotton or plant-based materials — Look for diapers made from cotton, sustainably sourced wood pulp, or bamboo instead of petroleum-based plastics. These are gentler on skin and more breathable.
Chlorine-free processing — Totally chlorine-free (TCF) means the pulp hasn't been bleached with chlorine, which can leave behind trace amounts of dioxins.
Fragrance-free and lotion-free — Babies don't need their diapers to smell like artificial lavender. Fragrance is a common irritant, and added lotions or aloe can actually cause more irritation in sensitive babies. Keep it simple.
Good absorption without sketchy materials — The best diapers use plant-based absorbent cores that perform well without relying on chemically-laden super absorbent polymers.
Transparent sourcing — If a brand tells you where their materials come from and how they're processed, that's a good sign they care about what goes into the product.
Wipes
Water as the first ingredient — The cleanest wipes are mostly water with minimal added ingredients. Some are 99% water, which is ideal.
Plant-based fibers — Look for wipes made from cotton, bamboo, or other sustainable plant materials instead of synthetic polyester blends.
Minimal ingredient lists — The best wipes have 5-10 ingredients maximum. If you're reading a novel on the back of the package, put it back.
Gentle preservatives — Some preservation is necessary to prevent bacterial growth, but look for brands using gentler options like citric acid rather than harsh synthetic preservatives.
❌ What to Avoid
Synthetic fragrances — These can contain dozens of unlisted chemicals and are one of the most common causes of diaper rash. Even "light" or "gentle" fragrances add unnecessary irritants to something touching your baby's skin all day.
Chlorine bleaching — Conventional diapers are often bleached with chlorine, which can leave behind dioxins (known carcinogens). Stick to TCF or PCF options.
Lotions and petroleum-based additives — Ingredients like petrolatum or mineral oil might sound soothing but can trap moisture and cause more irritation than they prevent.
Parabens and phthalates — Some wipes contain these preservatives and plasticizers. They're endocrine disruptors and completely unnecessary in baby products.
Alcohol in wipes — Alcohol dries out sensitive skin. Water-based wipes work just as well without the irritation.
Opaque ingredient lists — If a brand won't tell you exactly what's in their product, that's a red flag. Transparency should be the baseline.
Our Top Picks
Kudos Diapers
These are the diapers we switched to after Levi's rash issues, and we haven't looked back. Kudos is the only diaper with 100% cotton on the inside layer that touches baby's skin — not the synthetic plastic lining you'll find in most disposables, even the "natural" ones. The absorbent core uses TCF, FSC-certified sustainably harvested wood pulp, and the whole diaper is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified — third-party tested to be free from over 300 harmful substances.
No fragrance, no lotions, no chlorine, no parabens, no phthalates. Their DoubleDry tech with two absorption layers instead of one gives excellent overnight protection — we've had zero blowouts since switching, and zero rashes. They're pricier than conventional diapers, but for us, the peace of mind is worth every penny.
One real-world tip: they run slightly slimmer than brands like Pampers, so if your baby is between sizes, size up.
SHOP KUDOS DIAPERS →Kudos Baby Wipes
These wipes are 98% water with just a few simple plant-based ingredients — squalane, glycerin, aloe extract, and apple fruit extract for gentle cleaning. The fabric is plant-based, naturally soft, and strong enough that you don't need to use three wipes per change.
We keep these in the nursery, diaper bag, and car because they're gentle enough to use on Levi's face and hands, not just diaper changes. No chemical smell, no irritation even on his most sensitive days. If you're already using Kudos diapers, pairing them with the wipes makes diapering dead simple.
SHOP KUDOS WIPES →Raan Baby Wipes
If you want the absolute simplest ingredient list possible, Raan wipes are 99.9% water and 5 clean ingredients. That's the entire list. They're made from plant-based fibers and are completely unscented.
We especially like these for the newborn stage and for babies with eczema or severe sensitivities. They're not quite as thick as Kudos wipes, so you might use more per change, but the ingredient simplicity is unmatched. If your baby reacts to everything, start here.
SHOP RAAN WIPES →The Bottom Line
You don't need to overthink this. Choose diapers made from cotton or plant-based materials without fragrance or chlorine, and wipes that are mostly water. Your baby's skin will thank you, and you'll avoid the mystery rashes that come with conventional options.
We went through the trial and error so you don't have to — these are the products we actually use with Levi every day.
Ready to Shop Clean Diapers & Wipes?
Every product vetted by ingredient experts. No guesswork.
SHOP DIAPERS & WIPES →— Kevin, Co-Founder & Chief Dad 🐝
Every product on Simple Steps Market is individually vetted by ingredient experts.
No paid placements. No sponsored picks. Just what we'd use for our own kids.
