Hello Bello Diapers Review: My Honest Experience with This Eco-Friendly Brand
Hey there, fellow parents and caregivers! If you‘re anything like me, finding the perfect diaper for your little one is a top priority. We want something that‘s not only effective at preventing those dreaded leaks and blowouts, but also gentle on our babies‘ sensitive skin. And in today‘s world, more and more of us are looking for eco-friendly options that don‘t break the bank. That‘s why I was so excited to discover Hello Bello, a new diaper brand created by celebrity parents Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. I‘ve been using their diapers on my own kiddos for several months now, and I‘m here to give you my completely honest review.
First Impressions
When I first heard about Hello Bello, I was intrigued by their mission to provide premium, plant-based diapers at an affordable price. As someone who tries to make eco-conscious choices for my family, I loved the idea of a more sustainable diaper option. And let‘s be real, the fact that they‘re co-founded by Hollywood‘s cutest couple didn‘t hurt either!
The Hello Bello website is adorable and easy to navigate, with cheeky product descriptions and helpful resources for parents. I appreciated that they offered a "Diaper Finder Quiz" to help determine the best fit for my baby. Ordering was a breeze, and I was able to sign up for a recurring diaper bundle subscription with just a few clicks.
Sustainable Materials
When my first Hello Bello shipment arrived, I was impressed by the packaging – simple, recyclable cardboard with no plastic in sight. The diapers themselves felt soft and sturdy, with cute designs that made me smile. But of course, I wanted to know what they were actually made of.
According to Hello Bello, their diapers are primarily composed of:
- Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF) wood pulp from sustainably managed forests
- Plant-derived PLA (polylactic acid) for moisture-wicking and leak protection
- A small amount of SAP (super absorbent polymer) for extra dryness
- Mineral-based inks and pigments for the adorable prints
Hello Bello states that their diapers are free from harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, lotions and fragrances. Over 30% of the diaper is made from naturally derived materials, and while they‘re not 100% biodegradable, the company is working towards a fully compostable diaper in the future.
For comparison, here‘s how the eco-friendly materials in Hello Bello diapers stack up to some other popular brands:
| Brand | Plant-Based Materials | Chlorine-Free Processing | Chemical Additives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello Bello | 30%+ bio-based | Yes, TCF | None |
| Honest Co. | 28%+ bio-based | Yes, ECF | None |
| Pampers Pure | 20%+ bio-based | Yes, ECF | Added lotion |
| Huggies Special Delivery | 23% bio-based | No | Added shea butter |
| Seventh Generation | 30% bio-based | Yes, PCF | None |
TCF = Totally Chlorine-Free, ECF = Elemental Chlorine-Free, PCF = Processed Chlorine-Free
As you can see, Hello Bello is one of the leaders in terms of using renewable, plant-based materials and avoiding harsh chemical additives. Of course, any disposable diaper will have some environmental impact, but I feel good about choosing a brand that‘s taking steps in a more sustainable direction.
Performance and Fit
Of course, none of that matters if the diapers don‘t perform well. I‘m happy to report that in my experience, Hello Bello diapers are top notch when it comes to leak protection and absorbency. We‘ve used them on both our infant and toddler and have rarely had any issues with blowouts or moisture seeping through. The soft, stretchy side panels and snug leg cuffs provide a comfortable fit without being too tight.
I will say that Hello Bello diapers seem to run a bit larger than some other brands we‘ve used. My kids are usually on the upper end of the weight range for their size, but I found that sizing down worked well for us. I also appreciate that Hello Bello offers a newborn size (up to 10 lbs), which many "natural" diaper brands do not.
Here‘s how Hello Bello diaper sizing compares to Pampers and Huggies:
| Size | Hello Bello | Pampers Swaddlers | Huggies Little Snugglers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Up to 10 lbs | Up to 10 lbs | Up to 10 lbs |
| 1 | 8-14 lbs | 8-14 lbs | Up to 14 lbs |
| 2 | 12-18 lbs | 12-18 lbs | 12-18 lbs |
| 3 | 16-28 lbs | 16-28 lbs | 16-28 lbs |
| 4 | 22-37 lbs | 22-37 lbs | 22-37 lbs |
| 5 | 27+ lbs | 27+ lbs | 27+ lbs |
| 6 | 35+ lbs | 35+ lbs | 35+ lbs |
In terms of absorbency, many reviewers say that Hello Bello diapers can hold up just as well as conventional brands. In my experience, they do seem slightly less absorbent than the ultra-premium brands like Pampers Swaddlers – but only by a small margin. For reference:
- Hello Bello Size 3: 27.5 oz absorbency
- Pampers Swaddlers Size 3: 31 oz absorbency
- Huggies Little Snugglers Size 3: 23.6 oz absorbency
- Honest Co. Size 3: 19.5 oz absorbency
One minor downside is that Hello Bello does not make an overnight-specific diaper. However, their size 3 through 6 do offer about 20% more absorbency than their standard daytime diapers. For my heavy wetter, adding one of their Overnight Booster Pads has been enough to keep her protected for 10-12 hours. But if you have an older baby who is consistently soaking through at night, Hello Bello may not be the absolute best choice for overnight.
Skin Sensitivity
As someone with eczema-prone skin myself, I‘m always concerned about diaper materials causing irritation on my little ones. Thankfully, we have had zero issues with Hello Bello diapers aggravating my toddler‘s sensitive skin. The hypoallergenic inner liner is ultra-soft and free from irritating chemicals like fragrances, parabens and latex. Even when she‘s experienced mild diaper rash from other factors like teething or antibiotics, Hello Bello diapers seem to be soothing and gentle.
Of course, every baby is different and even "natural" materials may cause a reaction for some. But based on my experience and the hundreds of rave reviews from parents of sensitive-skinned babes, Hello Bello diapers seem to be an excellent choice for delicate tushies. The only potential irritants I could find are a small amount of petrolatum (used in most disposable diapers for moisture-wicking) and the mineral-based pigments used for patterns. If your child has a known allergy to petroleum products or sensitivity to ink, it may be best to test a small pack before committing to a subscription.
Charitable Giving
One thing I love about Hello Bello as a company is their commitment to giving back. With every diaper bundle sold, they donate diapers and wipes to families in need through their partner organizations like the Children‘s Health Fund and Project Precious. As a busy mom, it feels good to know that my diaper purchases are also helping support other parents who may be struggling.
According to their 2020 impact report, Hello Bello has:
- Donated over 3 million diapers to more than 76,000 families
- Provided 1.2 million meals to kids in need
- Funded 5,000 hours of therapy for abused children
- Supported 16,000 parent education courses
- Planted over 19,000 trees to offset their carbon footprint
For a relatively new company, those numbers are pretty impressive. While no brand is perfect, I appreciate that Hello Bello is using its platform and proceeds to make a real difference for children and families.
Price and Availability
Now I know what many of you are thinking – all those fancy materials and do-good initiatives must come with a hefty price tag, right? But here‘s the great news: Hello Bello diapers are actually very affordably priced, especially for a premium "natural" brand. On average, Hello Bello diapers cost around $0.25 to $0.30 per diaper, depending on size and package quantity. For comparison:
- Hello Bello: $0.30/diaper (size 3, 108-count)
- Pampers Swaddlers: $0.36/diaper (size 3, 108-count)
- Huggies Little Snugglers: $0.36/diaper (size 3, 108-count)
- Honest Co: $0.40/diaper (size 3, 108-count)
- Seventh Generation: $0.43/diaper (size 3, 108-count)
As you can see, Hello Bello comes in significantly cheaper than other "premium" diaper brands while still offering comparable quality and eco-friendly materials. They‘re a bit more expensive than generic store brands, but for me, the extra peace of mind is worth that small difference.
To save even more, I highly recommend signing up for a Hello Bello diaper subscription bundle. When you subscribe, you‘ll get 15% off your first bundle and an additional 15% off every 3rd bundle after that. Bundles start at $65 for a month‘s supply and include 7 packs of diapers plus 4 packs of wipes. You can always add on other baby essentials like vitamins, lotion or laundry detergent at a discounted rate. With free shipping on all orders over $25 and the flexibility to change sizes or unsubscribe at any time, the bundle is a busy (and budget-savvy) parent‘s dream.
Hello Bello diapers are also widely available at major retailers like Walmart, CVS, Kohl‘s and Albertson‘s/Safeway. This is a huge plus for me, as I love being able to grab an emergency pack during my regular shopping trips. And if you prefer to shop online, you can also find Hello Bello products on Amazon, Walmart.com, Thrive Market and Grove Collaborative.
The Bottom Line
After months of using Hello Bello diapers and thoroughly researching the brand, I can confidently say that they get a big thumbs up from this mama. The diapers check all the important boxes for me: they‘re made with safer, more sustainable materials, they perform well in terms of absorbency and leak protection, they‘re gentle enough for my kids‘ sensitive skin, and they‘re affordably priced. I love the company‘s transparency about their ingredients and manufacturing practices, as well as their charitable initiatives to support families in need.
No diaper is absolutely perfect, and what works for my family may not be the ideal choice for yours. If you have an older child who is a super heavy wetter at night, you may need to add an overnight booster pad or look into other nighttime-specific options. And while I haven‘t personally had any issues, some reviewers mentioned that Hello Bello diapers can run a bit large, so you may need to size down if your babe is on the smaller end of the weight range.
But for the vast majority of babies and parents, I think Hello Bello diapers are an excellent choice. They offer a more eco-friendly and affordable alternative to traditional disposable diapers without sacrificing performance. As someone who cares about the ingredients that come into contact with my kids‘ skin, I so appreciate having this option on the market. And let‘s be real, the adorable prints and cheeky packaging make diaper changes just a little more fun.
If you‘re looking to make a small change for the better in your diapering routine, I highly recommend giving Hello Bello a try. Start with a small pack to test them out, and if you love them as much as I do, go ahead and sign up for that diaper bundle subscription. Not only will you be getting a quality product at a great price, but you‘ll also be supporting a brand that‘s doing good for families and the planet.
Have you tried Hello Bello diapers? What has your experience been? Leave a comment below and let‘s chat all things diapering!
