Okay, so your baby has sensitive skin and is getting diaper rashes from “regular old” diapers. What do you do now?

You panic (hold on, don’t panic!). You need a hypoallergenic rash-free diaper made for sensitive skin in babies, or in toddlers. There are too many choices out there, and too many stories.

And you find this list. Yay! This list is one I put together based on the best diaper brands for babies with sensitive skin, because Costco diapers or Huggies is not going to cut it right now!

I hope that in this list you learn about the best diaper brands out there for sensitive babies. I’ve put it together with a lot of care, and some stories, because no parent (including me) has time for nasty diaper rashes or breakouts.

Top diaper brands for sensitive skin, newborns and eczema

What makes a diaper best for sensitive skin, diaper rash or eczema?

Since doing my research for this list, I learned one thing: every single diaper is going to claim it is hypoallergenic. TONS are going to claim they have amazing moisture management (wetness causes rashes or irritation on babies’ bottoms).

And heaps of diapers are going to make claims about being dermatologist-approved (AKA, being recommended by skin experts for babies).

So with this as a baseline, where do diapers REALLY differ from one another?

This list is meant to pick apart the specifics in various diaper brands made for sensitive skin. They all want you to buy their product, but if your baby is prone to get diaper rash easily, gets irritated by less-than-super-soft materials or has a skin condition, where should you start looking?

I’m going to help point out the helpful aspects of these well-known diaper brands, as well as ones that may be new to you. If you heard it first here, then great! My goal is to help you and your baby get diapered without the breakouts or flare-ups.

Kudos

If your baby has been getting breakouts or diaper rash from traditional diapers, it’s time to check out the newest player in the diaper industry: Kudos. Here’s why I started using Kudos for sensitive baby skin (and in the newborn phase!), detailed even more in my Kudos diaper review.

Kudos takes the logic and proof that the #1 doctor-recommended material for diaper rash and eczema is cotton, and puts it into the first-ever (and only) cotton-lined diaper. Kudos is groundbreaking because of this cotton topsheet (the part that touches your baby’s skin!). Every other diaper contains plastic ingredients in the topsheet. This can create irritation.

For babies with sensitive skin who are prone to irritation or rash, the Kudos diaper is gentle. It’s breathable and comfortable, like a T-shirt! For me and the other parents I know who swear by Kudos diapers, this cotton-lined diaper seems similar to putting my baby in soft organic cotton clothes, for example.

A few skin sensitivity highlights about Kudos:

  • First (only) diaper to be lined (where the diaper touches baby’s skin) with cotton
  • Naturally breathable, soft and hypoallergenic because cotton is the safest material for baby skin
  • As skin-safe as cloth baby diapers, but disposable (and less toxic for the environment, too)

Try Kudos for your baby or newborn’s sensitive skin, and see the difference of a cotton diaper liner.

Coterie

We’ve also been using Coterie here and there since our first child was about 12 weeks old. Maybe you’ve seen my Coterie diapers review where I discuss my experience with this very luxurious baby diaper and how I think it’s ideal as an overnight diaper.

Is it good for sensitive skin on babies? I have seen very often in “mom groups” that some families “only use Coterie.” Some, like us who have tried them, choose to use them at night because they are very absorbent (and soft like a T-shirt on the outside).

Coterie is sensitivity-focused. They even have a blog post about Why Parents of Eczema-Prone Babies Choose Coterie, and I’d be remiss to leave out that I reviewed the Coterie skincare line for sensitive skin. Many parents report a lessening or a case in eczema flare-ups when they switched to Coterie (of course, this is just a sample of experiences).

In summary, what has Coterie got going for it in terms of sensitive skin benefits?

  • Coterie diapers are designed to pull moisture away fast, helping protect delicate skin from wetness.
  • Absorbency keeps baby’s skin dry during wear, to reduce chances of diaper rash and irritation.
  • Apparel-grade fabric against baby’s skin. They really do feel like shirts on the outside and in.

Try Coterie diapers here, and you can subscribe to save.

Pampers AMORE (new)

Twice in 24 hours I heard from two “mom friends” of mine that they were trying Pampers AMORE. The first friend of these two actually swears by Pampers for her very sensitive eczema-prone child, and the second committed to buying AMORE on pre-order because they were compared to Coterie in advertising.

So what is this upscale Pampers diaper, and how is it made for sensitive skin in babies and newborns? I had to check into the real nitty gritty on my own.

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  • They’re “Dermatologically accredited” by the Skin Health Alliance
  • The diaper is built with a 5-layer protection system, which Pampers claims is 3X as absorbent as Coterie.
  • Called “soft as cashmere,” without that rough or papery feeling.
  • The fluffy pulp fiber helps a baby’s skin maintain a normal pH, without acidity (urine is acidic).

See if the benefits of Pampers AMORE will suit your baby. (And thanks to my friend Alexa for these photos — she even got on the pre-order list to try Pampers AMORE!)

DYPER

DYPER is the second brand in this list that does not put plastic against your baby’s skin, according to their website.

And I’ve tried DYPER, in both the regular and more premium Charcoal versions: we had good experiences, good wetness protection and a good fit. We like that DYPER is basically compostable (read more in my honest DYPER brand review). DYPER impressed me, mostly because of the compostable aspect, which means these diapers are made of pretty good stuff.

In short:

  • DYPER does not have plastic components against a baby’s skin, which helps avoid irritation.
  • Made for sensitive skin: made with plant-based materials and rated with 5 stars from Dermatest
  • Designed for “Zero rashes” (and zero leaks, too) by ditching the plastic diaper liner

Try DYPER here.

Millie Moon

There’s a lot of hype around Millie Moon, and a lot of parents put this diaper brand on a pedestal with Coterie. In terms of aiding sensitive skin in infants, what does Millie Moon do?

I will say: we tried Millie Moon, and because of the fit, they were not suitable for my infants (they run short and wide, and this just did not suit my babies’ body shapes). They are VERY soft, though, and absorbent. The most notable sensitive skin features are:

  • The pH balanced diaper liner: this is the gentle layer that protects sensitive skin (remember: urine is acidic)
  • Certified by Dermatest, proving to be suitable for sensitive skin (and “free from contact skin allergens and reactors”)
  • Very soft feel: gentle on delicate skin in small babies with premium materials

Pura

We tried Pura, and like Millie Moon, this diaper runs too wide for my narrow children. However, Pura markets itself as a “diaper for sensitive skin,” so I started reading. The company has a focus both on sensitive skin in babies and newborns, and eczema-prone skin. Here’s the skin-safe summary:

  • Listed as an allergy-friendly product by AllergyUK
  • The brand promises to “put skin first” and designs the diapers to eliminate diaper rashes
  • Lets skin breathe and keeps baby dry with the plant-based absorbency layers. The “stay-dry” channels also move liquid away from baby’s skin.

Try Pura on Amazon.

Honest

We’ve used Honest in various sizes among two kids and I will say that one of the best things about these diapers is that they hold firm, even when wet, and don’t sag or inflate when wet. It’s really cool, actually!

Designed to protect delicate skin, they have a few skin-protectant features I’ll list here in brief:

  • Comfort Dry Technology that absorbs wetness fast
  • Inner liner made of plant-based materials to be gentle at the contact of baby’s skin
  • They have online guidance available on how to prevent diaper rash (and what to do if it won’t go away)

You can try Honest diapers on Amazon.

Healthy Baby

I found that they ran a little wide, rather than tall, when my baby wore these diapers in size 4. One thing that drove me crazy was the lack of wet-dry indicator (the yellow-to-blue changing line that shows you the wetness level!) because Healthy Baby removed that from their diaper design based on the chemicals it involves. This leads to less chance of irritation on skin.

They’re “microbiome-friendly” and created by experts who put the utmost thought into the parts of the diaper that touch baby’s skin. With a focus on a baby’s body, Healthy Baby diapers earned a high spot in my list of the best non-toxic diapers for babies, and the company has a long list of awards, certifications and noteworthy mentions.

To sum it up, for the sensitive skin benefits in Healthy Baby diapers for babies and newborns (they make NB size):

  • “Sensitive skin-safe” like other leading premium brands
  • Dermatologist-tested and designed to keep baby’s skin drier, thereby avoiding diaper rash
  • Claims to keep baby 3X drier than competitors
  • Forbes agreed that Healthy Baby Diapers are best for sensitive skin due to the many certifications

Try out Healthy Baby and see if the brand can make a difference for your baby’s skin.

Parasol

Parasol boasts of its RashShield® Protection Diaper which is designed to protect against diaper rash. And how? It’s all about breathability, comfort and dryness. Here’s why Parasol might be good for your baby’s sensitive skin:

  • To protect sensitive skin, the topsheet has chamomile Alpha-Bisabolol and is “enhanced with 99%+ antimicrobial effectiveness”
  • Fast absorption with a dual-core system to keep skin consistently dry, even overnight with multiple instances of wetting
  • Multiple breathable layers that prevent humidity getting trapped inside and creating a wet environment
  • Snug fit without friction (I feel like not so many brands go forward to mention this, because friction is another way that rashes can start)

Try the rash protection of Parasol, here.

Rascals

Rascals is often grouped with Millie Moon as a premium diaper and is made with what the brand calls “feather-soft materials” that are gentle on skin. They do make Newborn sized diapers, so Rascals are gentle on delicate skin with their dermatologist-tested materials.

To put it plainly:

  • The fast-dry layer is meant to trap liquid in seconds, preventing rashes by keeping baby’s skin dry
  • “AirSpun™ Technology” makes diaper materials breathable and gentle on skin
  • Moreover, the founder’s son suffered from eczema, so Rascals was originally developed with babies’ sensitive skin types in mind and managing eczema flare-ups.

Try Rascals and see what you think.

Hello Bello

First and foremost, let’s thank Hello Bello for doing something most other diaper brands do not do, pointing out food-related allergens on their website!

Yes, as someone who has a food allergy (me), I know that people with food allergies sometimes cannot come into contact with their food allergens topically (on skin). So, the fact that Hello Bello says their diapers are free of gluten and soy is a BIG DEAL.

This is in relation to allergens, of course, but it’s always possible that babies could get skin irritations from things like gluten or soy. They also can cause rashes, especially in the first year of a baby’s life and when solid food starts getting introduced.

This is the Hello Bello difference for me, when it comes to skin sensitivities! Some other things to know:

  • Hello Bello takes diaper rash seriously and published this guide for parents
  • The brand believes in “Happy skin ingredients” and the diapers are made from plant-based materials
  • Soft diaper feel to avoid chafing and discomfort during baby’s wear.

I appreciate that Hello Bello takes a unique stance on skin sensitivity, so go Hello Bello! It’s available at Amazon.

Terra

Like I discuss in the best non-toxic diapers for babies, Terra is downright really impressive when it comes to the plant-based and skin-friendly ingredients in the diapers they make. Because of their eco-friendly composition, they are gentler on delicate skin because of fewer harsh chemicals (they’re made of biodegradable materials!).

What I like about Terra in regard to skin sensitivity in babies and newborns:

  • Designed to protect sensitive newborn skin from day one, with only plant-based ingredients
  • Rated “Excellent” by Dermatest (suitable for even the most sensitive skin in babies)
  • Breathable materials like bamboo fiber help with air flow and help maintain healthy skin while staying dry

Learn more about Terra.

Bambo Nature

Yes, we tried Bambo Nature, as I mentioned in my list of the best and worst diapers, from cheapest to most expensive! What I’ll always remember about them is that they are absorbent and shockingly “thin” and packable. Also, the adhesives are very gluey and strong. The fit is narrow.

Details aside, what do they do for skin? They boast avoidance of 2500 chemicals AND allergens that could cause reactions or irritation. Additionally, they make a few skin-specific claims:

  • They are “guaranteed skin-safe.”
  • A special “breathable backsheet” for comfortable skin
  • A bunch of allergen certifications including the Asthma Allergy Nordic cert.
  • Parents frequently mention that eczema-prone babies do well in Bambo.

Try Bambo at Amazon.

bumbum

bumbum diapers are marketed as a “luxury diaper.” Here’s the bumbum difference for sensitive skinned little ones:

  • Diaper liner “enriched with aloe” to promote healthy skin, one of their hallmark focuses. It’s true, and in the ingredient list, I found real “aloe barbadensis leaf extract” in the Barrier Ointment.
  • No “dumdum” ingredients, as they say: proven hypoallergenic (of course), and dermatologist-tested (naturally)
  • Silky-like softness on the inside where the diaper touches skin

Try bumbum diapers only at Target.

Conclusion: best diaper for baby’s sensitive skin (or eczema)

What I’ve found as a parent researching diapers, how they perform, how they do or do not create rashes and if they are appropriate for sensitive skin (even in newborns!), is that no two experiences are alike.

I’ve found parents in my circles who say they’ve settled on, for example, Millie Moon (or, “insert brand here”) because all other brands gave rashes, but you’ll see on Reddit or in forums that Millie Moon gave other people’s babies a rash. That’s just the beginning of the contradictory findings that will surface if you look hard enough.

My best advice is to take the brand recommendations above, as well as the reasons why, and see for yourself. That’s because there is no way to predict which brands will “agree” with your baby’s skin if your infant or toddler is hyper sensitive or have serious eczema.

My best conclusion as well is to recommend Kudos, as the ONLY cotton-lined diaper in this lineup of sensitive-skin options for babies and newborns. Kudos is the only diaper with a cotton topsheet, and this is the place where your baby’s skin meets the diaper. Cotton is the #1 doctor-recommended material to be touching a baby’s skin (like clothes), so that has helped me personally make a decision when choosing diapers for my little ones.

Kudos and its cotton diaper liner is a strong option when it comes to what really touches your baby’s skin, especially if you want day-to-night dryness, and impressive absorption for babies prone to rashes or eczema.

Try Kudos here.

Thank you to Kudos for sponsoring this list of the best brands for diapers that work for sensitive skin in babies; while Kudos has supported this article, all findings and opinions are strictly my own.