As your baby grows, his needs change and sometimes that means changing which diapers you are using too. What worked for your newborn might not work as well now that he is scooting and crawling. If his diaper can’t keep up with all of his crawling movements, you might find yourself dealing with a lot more leaks and blowouts.
Crawling babies need a diaper that is correctly sized and fits properly around the waist and legs. A premium diaper such as the Huggies Special Delivery provides an incredible fit, strong and wide adhesive strips, and superior absorbency.
Finding the right diaper for your baby may require a bit of trial and error – especially if your budget is a factor. Read on to find out more about choosing the right diaper for your baby and to look at some of our top picks or natural diapers for crawling babies.
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My top pick for the best natural diaper for crawling babies in 2023
Our top pick for the best natural diaper for crawling babies is Huggies Special Delivery, which you can find here.
Huggies Special Delivery diapers are made from plant-based materials and are free of parabens, fragrances, and chlorine but they offer the same great protection found in other Huggies diapers.
Here are some of the features which make them ideal for crawling babies:
- Flexible, accordion waistband
- Contoured shape with elastic leg cuffs
- Strong grip tabs
- Excellent absorption
- Super soft and comfortable
I’ve also taken a closer look at these diapers (since they are one of my favorites) with an in-depth review that you can find here.
Now, what goes into this recommendation?
What to consider when buying diapers for crawling babies
Babies come in all different shapes and sizes and once they start moving they may decide to move in some truly unique ways. You need to find a diaper that can stay in place no matter what your little one decides to do.
You may need to try several different brands and even sizes to find the right fit. Consider purchasing the smallest packs of a few different brands so you can try them out. If you are friends with a lot of other parents you could also get together for a diaper swap!
Here are some tips to help you find what you are looking for.
Make sure you get the right size
Just like baby clothes, sizing tends to vary between brands. Be sure to look at the sizing guide on the diaper packaging. These usually list a weight range, which is a good starting point – though you may need to adjust the size based on your baby’s individual shape.
Here is a general diaper sizing chart:
- Newborn: up to 10 lbs
- Size 1: 8-14 lbs
- Size 2: 12-18 lbs
- Size 3: 16-28 lbs
- Size 4: 22-37 lbs
- Size 5: 27+ lbs
- Size 6: 35+ lbs
There is a lot of overlap between the sizes and this sometimes (but not always) helps to accommodate for differences in body shape. You will need to consider things like torso length and girth, as well as how thin or chubby those little legs are. And keep in mind that all of these things are liable to change frequently as your child grows.
When to move up a diaper size
Often your first indicator that it’s time to move up a size will be a leaky diaper or a blowout. If it’s the first time, it may be a fluke – maybe the diaper was out of place. But if you find yourself cleaning up a lot of messes, it’s definitely time to move up a size.
Another indicator is if your baby has any red marks around his thighs after wearing a diaper. The elastic around the legs should fit snugly to prevent leaks, but should still stretch enough that they do not cause any irritation to the skin. If your baby has chubbier legs, you may need to move up a size well before the weight limit.
The waistline is also a good place to check frequently. You’ll want to be sure that your baby’s diaper comes up to just under their belly button and provides a good inch or so of coverage above their bottom in the back (to prevent blowouts). You’ll also want the velcro tabs to come together easily in the front – you should not have to tug to get them into place.
Getting the right fit on your crawling baby
When trying out different diapers, you’ll want to be sure that they fit your baby well. Different brands will have different amounts of stretch and rise which will affect their fit, so do not assume that the same size will fit your baby across all brands.
In general, I would say that much of the benefit of buying a more ‘premium’ diaper comes down to the fit. In my experience, more expensive diapers don’t cut corners with material and you will find that the absorbent areas are larger and there are more features in place (such as ruffled elastic around the leg holes) that make leaks and blowouts much less likely.
Consider the height of the diaper and the amount of coverage over your baby’s bottom. Also, be sure to check the stretch of the elastic. As your baby moves around, the diaper should stay in place but not be so tight as to cause irritation.
Diaper design and features you want for a crawling baby
Not all diapers are created equally and there are a few important areas that you need to pay attention to:
- Accordion waistband – A crawling baby needs a diaper that will move with them. You’re going to want to look for a diaper with an elastic waist. Sometimes referred to as an accordion waist band, diapers with this feature will move well and have fewer blowouts.
- Contoured shape – Contoured legs with an elastic fit will help keep your baby’s diaper in place, regardless of body shape, no matter what gymnastics your little one gets up to.
- Strong tabs – You don’t want to risk your baby’s diaper coming off when you don’t want it to. Check to make sure the velcro tabs stick well to the diaper and to each other should your tabs need to overlap.
- Super Absorption – Once your baby is on the move, they won’t want to hold still very often. A diaper that absorbs well will keep your baby dry for longer and prevent leaks while they explore their world.
- Soft and Breathable – With more motion, comes more friction and more irritation if your baby’s diaper is too rough. Choose a diaper that is soft to the touch and made from breathable materials to prevent heat rash.
How to keep the diaper on your baby
If your little mover is moving so much that he is slipping out of his diaper, you may want to check that the diaper is not too big. Maybe you moved up too early.
Or maybe you have a Houdini on your hands. Once your little one masters taking his diaper off, you need to take extra steps to keep it on. Dressing your baby in a onesie or a sleep sack will help keep those diapers where they belong.
The best natural disposable diapers for crawling babies
There are so many natural diaper brands available today – even bigger brands, like Huggies and Pampers, have recently come out with their own natural lines. This is great because it gives us more options without all of the harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances. Here are a few great options we’ve found.
In general, we are looking for a diaper that avoids:
- Synthetic dyes
- Synthetic fragrances
- Phthalates
- Chlorine
Honest – Budget diaper
While these aren’t the cheapest natural diapers available, they are the most budget-friendly for a diaper that meets all of our criteria for a crawling baby. Honest diapers are hypoallergenic, free of chemicals, and made from plant-based materials. They provide excellent fit and great absorption to help keep your baby dry.
While The Honest Company diapers are available on Amazon (right here) you will get the best deal by signing up for a diaper bundle directly through their website and my readers can get $20 off their first bundle and free shipping when they use coupon code “DIAPER20“!
Features
Honest diapers are super soft and come with a True Absorb core to protect against leaks. They have an accordion waistband and elastic leg cuffs. They also come in many different, fun designs. Seriously, did I mention the designs?
Pros
Honest diapers cost around $0.30 per which is inexpensive for more natural diaper options.
Cons
Some parents have had issues with diaper rashes while using these diapers although I’ve never had an issue with my kids. It’s best to try out a small pack first to see if your little one will be sensitive to them.
Huggies Special Delivery – Mid-range diaper
Huggies’ newest line of diapers offers all of the best features found in regular Huggies, without any of the chemicals and fragrances you might usually get. They are made from plant-based materials and offer leak-lock protection, plus some other great features which make them fantastic for your young crawler.
I’ve already mentioned where to find these above, but feel free to check these out on Amazon right here.
Features
Huggies are well known for their all-around great fit and excellent absorbency. Special Delivery diapers are hypoallergenic, super soft, and include an elastic waistband, contoured shape, and wetness indicator. They also come in a variety of simple designs – much different from the Disney designs found on other Huggies.
Pros
Unlike many other natural brands, Huggies Special Delivery can be found at any major retailer, so you don’t need a subscription. They also provide the same fit and function offered by other Huggies lines. Did I mention they feel incredibly soft?
Cons
These are a bit pricier than most other Huggies diapers. The largest box runs at about $0.38 per diaper.
Dyper X – Luxury diaper
These all-natural, eco-friendly diapers cover all the bases. Primarily made from bamboo, they are super absorbent, with an accordion waistband and elastic fit around the legs. The new X diapers provide more coverage than their original diaper, making them ideal for active play and nights.
While I’ve had issues with the regular Dyper-brand diapers in the past, the X version fixed those problems. This diaper truly does not compromise a single thing when it comes to providing a safe, natural product and the quality is there. When you pick this thing up you just know that it was a pain in the butt to make something this natural!
Some good news is that Dyper frequently includes fun bonus items with the purchase of a bundle (like diaper bags!) and you can check out their current promotion right here!
Features
Made from 100% plant-based materials, these diapers are fully biodegradable. They are chlorine, dye, and fragrance-free, but super absorbent with a natural aloe liner to help protect the skin. They also include a wetness indicator.
Pros
These diapers are all white (no prints – which could be a con if you like prints), super soft and durable. They are extra wide for greater protection and super absorbent.
Cons
The biggest con is price. The subscription for the monthly box runs about $0.54 per diaper so this is definitely a luxury diaper. But if the cost isn’t an issue it’s a great option.
Last thoughts
At the end of the day there is truly no ‘best diaper’ out there for your baby because she is constantly growing and parents must constantly worry about size and fit. With that being said, I’ve found over the past 10 years (and 4 babies) that if you have a little extra money to spend you will certainly enjoy life better by purchasing a slightly more expensive, higher-quality diaper.
In my experience, premium diapers and wipes can all but eliminate diaper rashes and other common issues all while providing superior absorbency and leak protection.
Whatever you decide, enjoy your baby!
