Parents spend hours researching baby nutrition, parenting philosophies and advice, and big-ticket purchases like strollers and car seats. But they often overlook the baby product they use most: diapers.

Babies wear more than 6,000 diapers during their first three years, the most critical window of brain development. They wear them nearly 24/7, against some of their most sensitive body parts.

Over the last decade, a growing body of research has found that conventional diapers contain harmful chemicals that can impede development and carry long-term health consequences.

The American diaper industry remains alarmingly under-regulated. Shockingly, menstrual products are classified as medical devices and regulated by the FDA, but baby diapers aren’t. Instead, diapers fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which doesn’t require manufacturers to disclose materials or test for many harmful chemicals.

So what does this mean for parents?

We need to change the way we think about diapers.

Fortunately, HealthyBaby’s got you (and baby’s bottom) covered.
 

A partnership for change: HealthyBaby x EWG

HealthyBaby and the Environmental Working Group (EWG)are leading a new era of safety and transparency in babycare. Together, we’re looking at every detail—the ingredients, materials, and science behind our diapers—so parents can give their babies the healthiest start.

“A baby’s skin is significantly thinner and more susceptible to exposure to harmful chemicals. Their body can more readily absorb chemicals, making them especially vulnerable to any potential dangers in a diaper,” says Sydney Swanson, Healthy Living Science Analyst at the EWG.

Of course, babies come into contact with several other products, from wipes to skincare to household cleansers and laundry detergent. That’s why HealthyBaby offers a variety of safe, clean essentials for the diaper bag and beyond. Diapers, wipes, and skincare from HealthyBaby have gone through rigorous testing to become EWG VERIFIED®. 

The hidden dangers in conventional diapers

Diaper packaging doesn’t traditionally include a list of materials, which leaves parents in the dark about what’s in the diapers they’re using. 

“The absence of strict regulation, along with the wide variety of diapers available and lack of transparency make it difficult for caregivers to determine what’s safe for their family,” says Sydney Swanson. 

Several leading diaper brands contain harmful substances, including:

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Airborne gases linked to cancer, liver, and kidney damage and central nervous system harm.
  
  

• Phthalates: Chemicals mainly used to make plastics more flexible and durable that interfere with hormones essential for proper growth and development.
  
  

• Chlorine, Fragrances, and Dyes: Common additives that can irritate skin and increase exposure to unnecessary toxins.

A 2019 study by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) found harmful substances like VOCs, pesticides, and formaldehyde in bestselling diaper brands, with some chemicals exceeding safe levels for infants.

How HealthyBaby diapers are different 

At HealthyBaby, we believe everything that touches baby should be safe.  We started with our bestselling disposable diaper. (We now make a cloth diaper, diaper pants, and swim diaper, too!)

Here’s how we stand out from the pack:

• The first EWG VERIFIED® diaper
  
  We started the clean diaper movement in 2020 by creating the first disposable diaper that met the EWG’s strict safety standards for transparency, health, and safety. 
  
  
• Complete transparency about what’s in our diaper… and what’s not
  
  We print a detailed list of all diaper materials on our biodegradable packaging. A few things you’ll never see: dyes, chlorine, parabens, phthalates, latex, lotion, fragrances, VOCs, and optical brighteners.
  
  
• We put health and brain development first
  
  Most diaper brands focus on absorbency, fit, and style, which often translates to the use of sketchy chemicals. We’re constantly innovating our diapers and improving performance without compromising on our commitment to clean, safe materials. Our diapers are the softest out there and offer 12-hour leak protection and humidity control, making them extra safe for sensitive skin.