photo of baby on a bed wearing a diaper and an adult arm booping its nose for post about seventh generation diapers reviews

Seventh Generation Diapers Review: Are They the Best Eco-Friendly Diapers? (2023)

If you’re a parent, then you know that finding the perfect diaper is essential. And if you’re looking for a Seventh Generation diaper, then you’re in luck. Today we’re going to dive into our Seventh Generation diapers review, and whether they are a good choice for you and your little one.

Seventh Generation diapers are a popular choice among parents who are looking for an eco-friendly diaper option. When I had my first baby, I was obsessed with ensuring I used the most natural and sustainable diaper brands out there. One of the ones I tried was Seventh Generation. I’ll be talking about my own personal experience and my Seventh Generation diapers review from the perspective of a mom diapering not one, but two babies (hello twins!). And I’ll also be looking at the ingredients, other parent reviews, and the company as a whole.

But are Seventh Generation diapers really as good as they claim to be? Are they better for the environment? Do they contain harmful chemicals? These are just a few of the questions that parents have about Seventh Generation diapers.

We have compared other diaper brands on this blog, but never ones that are specifically eco-friendly, and not a Seventh Generation diapers review. If you’re interested in other options, check out all our diaper posts here.

Let’s take a closer look at what these diapers have to offer. Keep scrolling for more in-depth research for this Seventh Generation Diapers review.

Image of baby with text asking what are the best eco-friendly diapers? Seventh generation diapers review.

Seventh Generation Diapers Review: Are They Worth It?

Who Makes Seventh Generation Diapers?

Seventh Generation is owned by Unilever. According to Wikipedia, Unilever owns companies in just about every industry from ice cream to beauty products to pharmaceuticals.

Some of the companies they own include Dove, Sunsilk, Ben & Jerry’s, Axe, Degree, and more.

So while Seventh Generation has the appearance of being an eco-friendly and green brand, their parent company, Unilever is not exactly the poster child of sustainability. Although it began as a brand with a mission, they were purchased by Unilever in 2016, and it is around then that you saw a huge surge of its products in places like Target.

Does being owned by a huge corporation automatically mean they are no longer a sustainable and eco-friendly brand? Not necessarily. But let’s dig a little deeper and find out.

Types of Seventh Generation Diapers

There are three types of Seventh Generation diapers, and the uses are pretty self-explanatory. You have the regular Seventh Generation diapers, overnight diapers, and training pants.

When it comes to the ingredients, sustainability, and toxicity of the diapers, they are all three made and contain basically identical items. It’s just that the design is different depending on the needs of each diaper.

Seventh Generation Diapers Features

Seventh Generation Diapers are “free and clear”

Seventh Generation diapers tout themselves as eco-friendly diapers, and one of the main reasons is the FSC® Certified plant-based pulp that makes up the insides of the diapers. They are also made without fragrances, lotions, or chlorine bleaching. So if your baby is prone to diaper rashes or sensitivities then these might be a really good option to consider.

Personally, I hate the way a lot of diaper brands smell, and I appreciate the complete lack of scent in Seventh Generation diapers. I used them for years with my twins, and they never got diaper rashes or smelled like anything but themselves.

Absorbency

Seventh Generation diapers have what they call an acquisition layer that “absorbs liquids in seconds.”

I have personally used Seventh Generation diapers with a few of my kids, and I can say that leaks were rare. As far as I’m concerned they passed the test for wicking away the moisture pretty quickly and effectively.

They also have an absorbent core that doesn’t contain chemicals or toxins.

Regardless of what is inside the core, the absorbency is good. As I said, we didn’t experience a lot of leaks while using this diaper brand for multiple babies. But one thing is that they do sag pretty quickly. On one hand, that is a bummer… but on the other hand, if they are to the point of sagging it’s time for a change anyways. (though once babies and toddlers are on the move, frequent changes can be more and more difficult)

Screen Shot 2022 11 16 at 1.26.01 PM Seventh Generation Diapers Review: Are They the Best Eco-Friendly Diapers? (2023)
from https://www.seventhgeneration.com/free-clear-baby-diapers-newborn

Seventh Generation Diapers FAQ’s

Are Seventh Generation diapers non-toxic?

Seventh Generation diapers are probably non-toxic. They are made without chlorine bleaching, fragrance, and lotions. But they don’t say if they contain phthalates or parabens.

When I used these diapers for my kids, I just assumed they were non-toxic and didn’t contain any harsh chemicals, but now that I am diving deeper, I’m not so sure. Are they truly non-toxic or are they just greenwashed? They’ve even been accused of trying to make their diapers appear more natural than they are by adding brown dye to them. Something the company defends as normal and safe.

How absorbent are Seventh Generation diapers?

According to Seventh Generation, their diapers have really absorbent cores and can keep the baby dry for up to 12 hours.

From personal experience, I don’t believe they will keep the baby dry for that long. While I never had real issues with leaks, they also wouldn’t hold up for more than a few hours. But that never bothered me because I always changed my babies long before the 12 hours mark, with the exception of overnight when I used Honest Company overnight diapers.

Are Seventh Generation diapers comfortable for babies?

Seventh Generation diapers are made with soft, cloth-like materials that are gentle on a baby’s skin. They also feature an absorbent core that helps to keep the baby dry.

Diaper rashes and other discomforts are really rare for babies using Seventh Generation diapers.

The most uncomfortable aspect of Seventh Generation diapers is that they can become quite saggy. So if you have a walk or a crawler they might find them a bit bulky and uncomfortable unless you are pretty diligent about changing their wet diapers.

Do Seventh Generation diapers have wetness indicator?

One downside of Seventh Generation diapers is that they do not have a wetness indicator. This can be a problem for parents who are trying to determine whether their child needs a change or not.

Personally, I rarely use a wetness indicator. Just giving the diaper a little squish with my hand can tell me how full it is. So I didn’t use this as a big factor in this Seventh Generation Diapers review. But if this feature is important to you, it might be a deal breaker.

Are Seventh Generation diapers expensive?

Seventh Generation diapers are not the least expensive option on the market, but they are not the most expensive either. For parents who are looking for an eco-friendly diaper option and willing to pay a little more than others (like the store brands), Seventh Generation diapers may be a good choice. 

What are other parents saying about Seventh Generation Diapers? What are the Seventh Generation Diapers Reviews like?

Parents who have used Seventh Generation diapers generally give them high marks. On Amazon, they are rated a 4.4 out of 5.

However, some parents feel that Seventh Generation diapers may not be as absorbent as other brands, and others find them to be more expensive. Despite these few complaints, the majority of parents who have tried Seventh Generation diapers say they would recommend them to others.

And reading their reviews I did remember that these diapers do look saggy pretty quickly. But I guess that’s just an easy way to see when you need a diaper change, right?

So, what are the pros and cons? Let’s take a closer look with this Seventh Generation Diapers Review:

PROS of Seventh Generation Diapers:

– Seventh Generation diapers are made with renewable and sustainable resources. 

– Seventh Generation diapers do not contain any lotions, chlorine bleach, or fragrances. 

– Seventh Generation diapers are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients. 

CONS of Seventh Generation Diapers:

– Seventh Generation diapers may be more expensive than other brands. 

– Seventh Generation diapers may not be as absorbent as other brands. 

Overall, Seventh Generation diapers are a great choice for parents who are looking for an eco-friendly and safe diaper option. Seventh Generation diapers are made with renewable and sustainable resources, do not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, and are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients. While Seventh Generation diapers may be more expensive than other brands, they are worth the investment for parents who want to provide their children with the best possible diaper option.

Comparing Seventh Generation Diapers to other similar eco-friendly diapers

What is the healthiest diaper brand?

There are so many diaper brands out there, and every single one will claim to be the healthiest and best option for your little one, but which one actually win the prize of healthiest diaper brand?

Based on this Seventh Generation Diapers review, we can probably say that although they really want to be eco-friendly and natural, we just don’t have the evidence to say that they truly are. Overall they are a totally great diaper to use, but are they the BEST? meh.

So let’s look at some of the other options out there and see which diaper brand is the healthiest compared to Seventh Generation.

1. Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Diapers

Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Diapers are another popular eco-friendly diaper option. Like Seventh Generation diapers, Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Diapers are made with renewable and sustainable resources, do not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, and are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients.

2. bumGenius Elemental One-Size All-In-One Cloth Diaper

We had to mention a cloth diaper. If you are truly looking to be eco-friendly, they are the way to go. The biggest con of cloth diapers is of course that you have to wash them which is impractical for a lot of modern families.

But if you are interested in cloth we did include some info below on them for this Seventh Generation Diapers Review.

bumGenius Elemental One-Size All-In-One Cloth Diaper is made of 100% organic cotton, is super soft, and is absorbent. They are well-loved by parents and get a 4.6 out of 5.0 on Amazon reviews.

3. Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers

Just like Seventh Generation, Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers are made with renewable and sustainable resources, do not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, and are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients.

However, there are some key differences between these three brands of diapers.

Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers are more expensive than Seventh Generation diapers but less expensive than Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Diapers. 

Overall, Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers are a great alternative for parents looking for an environmentally responsible and cost-effective diaper. Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers are made from renewable and sustainable resources and do not include hazardous chemicals or fragrances, as well as latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful substances.

While Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers may be more expensive than Seventh Generation diapers, they are more absorbent and provide greater value for the money. So you might have to dish out some extra cash, but if it’s in the budget then it’s a great bet.

4. Eco by Naty Baby Dipaers

Naty by Nature Babycare Eco Friendly Disposable Nappies are made with sustainable materials, do not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, and are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients.

They are also more expensive than Seventh Generation diapers, but they are compostable! This is a huge plus for parents who want the most eco-friendly disposable diaper out there.

All of the diapers listed above are made with sustainable materials, do not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, and are also free of latex, phthalates, and other potentially harmful ingredients. 

Ultimately, it is important to consider what is most important to you when making your choice for a diaper brand.

I will say for me personally, Seventh Generation diapers were a really great choice and I used them for years as a cheaper alternative than Honest Diapers. You won’t go wrong with them.

Want to compare more great diaper brands? Read more about Pampers Baby Dry vs. Swaddlers, and Pampers Swaddlers vs. Cruisers.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top