Product Link: 7th Generation Diapers
Average Cost: $13.99/48 Stage 2
Availability: Online, and increasingly available offline. (May need to purchase at a health food store or specialty shop)
Rating:

These diapers are made of chlorine-free non bleached materials and highly absorbant polymer gel. They have wide stretchy velcro tabs and elasticised leg gathers for a tight, leakproof and comfortable fit.

COST:
While not as inexpensive as the discount brands (Luvs, Walmart/Rite Aid/CVS/similar store brands), these diapers are about the same cost as Pampers and slightly less expensive than Huggies.

QUALITY/USABILITY:
These diapers are my first choice- not only for environmental reasons, but for quality and usability as well. The elastic gathers in the leg area are some of the softest and most snug that I’ve found, and hold leaks in without the red diaper marks that other brands tend to leave. The broad velcro closure tabs do not stick to anything but the diaper (and occasionally a fuzzy piece of clothing), and have no exposed adhesives. They are not abrasive to the touch. They are the longest and widest closure tabs that I have seen in a disposable diaper, and distribute the pressure over a wider area. I am also a fan of how these diapers have an expensive natural look to them that is free of gaudy cartoon characters and branding.

My only minor quibble with the quality and usability of this brand is that I have had more than a few diapers with defective tabs in the 11 1/2 months that I have been using them. While this is not unique to Seventh Generation, the number of defectives that I have experienced seems slightly higher than average. (Approx 10 diapers in 11 1/2 months)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
These diapers are not as environmentally friendly as I’d expect from a company like Seventh Generation. They are no more landfill-friendly than other brands of disposables. Even if they biodegrade, nothing is going to biodegrade in the virtually airtight environment of a landfill, and these diapers take a long time to degrade even in the optimal environment of a compost heap. These diapers also have the same logging/manufacturing impact as other disposables.

The two areas in which Seventh Generation disposables have a less damaging impact on the environment are the non-use of dyes and perfumes, and the non-use of chlorine bleaching. Chlorine bleaching is one of the causes of high levels of dioxin (a toxic cancer-causing chemical) in the environment today. So while these diapers are not as environmentally friendly as cloth diapers, they are still a more environmentally friendly disposable.

HEALTH FACTORS:
The health benefits of these diapers over other brands of disposables are not as significant as I’d expect to see from a company like Seventh Generation. While other health food store brands such as Tushies use wood pulp filler, Seventh Generation uses absorbant polymer gel which has been linked to raised scrotal temperatures in baby boys- which may be linked to decreased sperm production later in life. Polymer gels have also been linked to other health issues although the companies that use them insist that they are safe.

While Seventh Generation falls a bit short by using the absorbant gel, it still excels in several areas. The diapers are hypoalergenic and perfume/dye free as well as chlorine free, and are very non-irritating to a baby’s skin. My 11 month old son has never had diaper rash while using these diapers- and the few incidents of rash that he has had were while using other brands of disposables. I have never had to use Desitin or diaper rash cream or lotions while using Seventh Generation diapers.

SMELL/LEAK CONTAINMENT:
These diapers were always my favorite choice for leak/blowout containment- even during the early newborn days when my son could poo and pee his way out of pretty much anything. (Tip for mothers of baby boys- point the penis downwards when diapering, and fold the top of the diaper over before fastening it. also make sure that the leg gathers touch once you’ve fastened the diaper, and that they are outside of the diaper.)

These diapers are non-perfumed so they may not mask smells as well as the perfumed variety. For me, I found that the perfume of diapers actually ascentuates the smell and leaves me constantly wondering if my son has pooped or not. With non-scented diapers it’s immediately obvious if your baby has a poopy diaper. In my opinion this is a desirable thing.

These diapers are great for overnight use even if you’re using cloth diapers. They absorb a great deal of liquid and keep the baby quite dry. I was able to avoid middle-of-the-night diaper changes even in the very beginning, and only had to wake my son up to change his diaper if he pooped.

CONCLUSION:
The slightly lower environmental impact, the comparable pricing, the classy non-bleached look, and the absorbancy and the quality and fit of these diapers have made them my favorite brand of disposables.