REASONS TO BUY
Good absorption
Soft material
Better health and eco-benefits
REASONS TO AVOID
Disappointing leak prevention and durability
Seventh Generation Sensitive Protection Review
A soft and cozy diaper with some green practices and good absorbency but disappointing durability and leak protection
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $0 List
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Jun 2, 2023
RELATED: The Best Disposable Diapers
Our Verdict
Seventh Generation Sensitive Protection diapers impressed us during testing with better than average absorption and a cozy design. With uber-soft fabric and a snug fit, even the most active babies will be comfortable. They also offer more than much of the competition in our disposable diaper review for baby health and eco-friendliness, giving them an edge over the competition for those with concerns for the environment or chemicals. While not the best for durability or leak protection, Sensitive Protection is still an okay green diaper with fast absorption to keep babies dry. Overall, it is an average diaper, and we think there are better options elsewhere.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Seventh Generation company has been operating for 25 years, offering products that range from baby supplies to household cleaners.
While the Seventh Generation diaper has even distribution of fake green urine, it is faint and not dark, which would indicate poor absorption and ability to lock moisture away.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Likes
Seventh Generation diapers earned a relatively good score for absorption. We were impressed with this diaper as it achieved consistently good results in all three rounds of absorbency testing. These diapers show less green transfer on the filter paper than more than half of the diapers, indicating that they effectively lock away excess moisture.
Seventh Generation has a lot going for it, but sadly it didn't measure up to the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Perhaps our only complaint is that they didn't distribute the liquid very well. Much of the “urine” remained in the center, never fully reaching each end of the diaper. While not a deal-breaker, it could indicate that increased wetness may not absorb at all after the center is saturated. Arguably, it is time for a diaper change, but some of the diaper competitors utilize their lock-away cores from end to end more evenly.
Seventh Generation offers a comfy diaper with soft fabric and skin-friendly elastic.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sensitive Protection earned one of the highest scores for comfort. The materials are soft and non-abrasive, smooth inside and out, with no quilting or texture. Even in areas where the fabric is wrinkled and folded, it is soft to the touch. Our tester was at ease in this diaper, and at points of motion such as leg gussets and waistband, he did not experience any lasting marks or rashes.
Seventh Generation diapers have more nods to baby's skin and the environment than much of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sensitive Protection is above average for being eco-friendly. Sensitive Protection diapers are not biodegradable, but the Totally Chlorine Free bleaching process eliminates the output of dioxins and other pollutants into the environment. Seventh Generation is also a certified B Company and has FSC and Rainforest Alliance certifications to boot. Although not the most environmentally friendly, we admire the company for taking steps in the right direction.
Seventh Generation avoids some potential irritants in their design, making them potentially good for sensitive skin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
These diapers are free of perfumes and lotions. However, the entire diaper is dyed. According to the manufacturer, even the “brown layered materials” contain dye. This practice feels intentionally misleading, as the brown color falsely indicates a more natural product when it actually uses more dye than competitors. Seventh Generation does not list any allergy certifications for their diapers. Still, they partially disclose their ingredients and allude to some more health-friendly practices.
While offering pretty good absorption, it isn't a winner at preventing leaks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Dislikes
A combination of research and hands-on leak testing shows that Sensitive Protection diapers are slightly below average in terms of leak protection. This diaper absorbed liquid almost instantly in our runoff tests, letting very little mock urine reach the pan. This kind of result, along with high absorption rates, typically indicates good leakage protection. However, a higher percentage of online reviewers reported issues with leakage or blowouts.
To reduce the potential for leaks, make sure you fasten the diaper around your child's waist as tight as is comfortable, leaving no wiggle room or gaps.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Diaper fit and the frequency of changes influence the overall leak protection it can provide; any diaper will leak if it gets too full. So to ensure your baby is blowout-free (as much as one can), use a properly sized diaper, and attach the tabs so it is snug around your baby's waist. We also recommend frequently checking your child's diaper to see if it is soiled.
Durability is not a strong point for Sensitive Protection diapers. While beating out some competing green diapers in this metric, they still scored below average for the group. Nearly 20% of users reported some durability concerns in our research. The most prominently reported issue is the construction of the diaper not holding up during use and leaking SAP. Some parents noticed extreme sagginess when wet, with the diapers even falling apart in some cases. However, it can be challenging to determine the durability of a single-use product. Tab durability and fabric integrity, Sensitive Protection diapers faired relatively well in our side-by-side tests.
Comfort and durability don't often go together, and the Seventh Generation is comfortable but not as durable as the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Seventh Generation Sensitive Protection?
This could be a potential contender based on your goals. However, new additions to the diaper lineup show better diapers are available at multiple price points and with benefits from near-perfect absorption to better eco-friendliness. This makes it feel like there are better options no matter what your goals are.
What Other Disposable Diaper Should You Consider?
We think the Hello Bello Premium is a good contender as an alternative to the Seventh Generation. This diaper has a cheaper price and higher scores for leak protection, health, and the environment. It also sports the same absorption scores making it generally better overall than the Seventh Generation. If your goal is the highest score for eco-health, Eco by Naty is one to consider. With good scores in most metrics, this eco-friendly diaper is a green option families can feel good about.
—Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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