Diapers: types, sizes and best manufacturers

Literally two or three decades ago, the question of a children's toilet in the first years of life remained critical for parents - mother had to stay at home most of the time, devoting much of her strength to daily washing of diapers. Today, diapers, which have become quite commonplace in our country relatively recently, have largely solved this problem. Another thing is that a wide range of similar products sometimes provides a disservice to the consumer without helping him choose the best option, but, conversely, confusing him even more.

Let's try to consider this category of products in general, to help the potential buyer a little.

Let's begin by defining what diapers are. This word is usually called children's underwear, made of several layers of material, which is conventionally called a fabric (in fact, this is not always true), and the outer layer of polyethylene or any other oilcloth material. The product is created specifically to ensure that children's waste remains inside, not penetrating, thanks to this only the diaper itself gets dirty, but not everything around it. Such a product is usually worn on a daily basis instead of ordinary panties, but there are also special types, for example, for swimming, but more on this later.

It should be noted that today is quite popular is the question of what is the difference between diapers and diapers, because the latter are fully consistent with the above. Here it is necessary to clarify that Pampers is the name of the brand that first entered our market, and if you carefully watched the ad, you probably know that “diapers” are also diapers.

Consequently, in general, diapers differ from diapers only in that the former can be produced by any firm, and the latter are tied to a specific manufacturer, although today they are practically synonymous. It is worth noting that the company Pampers actually produces not only diapers, but also some other child care products.

Judging by the advertisements, absolutely all parents use factory-made diapers today, but in specialized forums it is not so rare to mention that some families still do without such innovations. Of course, this is not a disadvantage of the development of modern commerce, it’s just that the diapers of the best modern models still have certain disadvantages.

On the other hand, a huge part of the population is sincerely grateful to the developers, and therefore there are also advantages. Pros and cons should be considered before choosing specific diapers: perhaps you will be the person who would prefer to do the old methods of care for the baby.

Let's start by considering the benefits of diapers.

• Any diaper can be used a little longer than a diaper or homemade gauze panties: it usually lasts for several hours. This creates an increased sense of comfort for both the child and his mother, she does not have to control the state of the baby literally every minute.Perfectly absorbing moisture, a diaper is usually able to maintain normal humidity inside itself, so that the toddler is less likely to have diaper rash and other negative skin effects of wetting.

• Since the diaper perfectly absorbs moisture and can even withstand several such “sessions,” the child gets the opportunity to sleep soundly without waking up every time he finds himself in a puddle. This advantage contributes not only to the improved psycho-emotional state of the baby, but also to the normal sleep of his parents, who have other duties besides the round-the-clock vigil.

• Traditionally, the young mother was forced to spend most of her time at home during the first few years of the baby’s life, since she simply could not maintain normal sanitary conditions for her child at a party or in any public places. Modern diapers have become the reason that today we often see young parents on the street or in supermarkets with their children, for such an exit does not bring any particular inconvenience.

Of course, in practice, not everything is so simple. Indeed, the best modern diapers offer all the possibilities described above, but you need to understand that each such product is a kind of miracle of technology. Not for nothing, we called the material of the layers of the diaper only conditionally cloth: some fibers used here may not be used in any other industry.

This means that the introduction of such technologies requires specialized laboratories and ongoing research, and this, naturally, costs money and is funded by buyers. Ask any parents, they will confirm to you that diapers alone can cost more than the rest of the baby’s content as a whole.

Of course, diapers come in different price categories, and not all of them differ in transcendental prices, but here you need to understand that savings are not taken from nowhere. A manufacturer offering low-priced products probably saves something, which means that some of the advantages described by this brand cannot be traced. A cheaper diaper usually either fills up faster, forcing parents to change it more often, or flows with unenviable regularity, which is why all its meaning is lost.

In some cases, the material itself is unsuccessfully selected, it can even harm your child if the manufacturer limited itself to fibers that do not cause allergies in 70% of children, instead of finding a completely hypoallergenic substitute. Often these diapers do not "breathe", which is why an excessively humid atmosphere is formed inside them, leading to skin problems.

The classification of diapers is very extensive, so you should decide for a start, to whom and why do you buy such an accessory. For example, traditionally it is believed that diapers are produced only for children of the first years of life, but in fact this is not the case. Some manufacturers, for example, have taken care of older children with incontinence, and seriously ill adults. For the same babies, diapers are classified by age and weight: very small models are produced for premature babies, and for children older than a year, they are quite large.

Pant diapers are the most common solution, which many parents even perceive as the only possible option.This accessory is designed for everyday and round-the-clock wear, because for its production hypoallergenic materials of the “eco” category are used. Most of these products are represented by disposable diapers, which are simply discarded after filling.

Such panties are often classified by the amount of waste material they are able to keep. As a result, they provide night diapers that can withstand up to 12 hours, and cheaper ones for several hours, which are great for a short-term exit from home.

Similar products are generally similar to the panties described above, but much more often they are reusable: good stickies just allow them to withstand a rather long cycle, with each time changing the waist size as the child grows. The logic here is about the same as that of simple panties, but the top, moisture-impermeable polyethylene layer is easily separated from all the others and is used repeatedly, while the internal “stuffing” is either erased or replaced by analogy with disposable products, which is all the same turns out to be somewhat cheaper.

It is logical that the service life without maintenance of this accessory is about the same and amounts to several hours. On the other hand, a large number of cycles of the outer layer pushes parents to think not only about practicality, but also about product design, therefore orange diapers or accessories of any other bright and warm color are often chosen.

There are special diapers designed to quickly teach a child to consciously go to the pot. Outwardly, they look about the same as usual ones, but the mechanism of action is fundamentally different, because a child in simple diapers will never ask for a pot, he does not feel discomfort. To teach him absolutely without diapers is not too great either, because initially he will not understand the cause-and-effect relationship, which means that puddles on the floor and swollen laminate will become commonplace.

The peculiarity of the training panties (this is also called such an accessory) is that they do not allow waste to go outside, but at the same time they do not provide the baby with perfect dryness. Consequently, having ignored the pot and, out of habit, having gone under it, the kid will think about what he did wrong, and next time he will try to improve. Of course, the last statement is true only if the child is just elementary to such a level of development: usually this consciousness of a young citizen is observed at the age of about one and a half years.

Quite a famous fact is that a child is able to learn to swim even earlier than to walk. By the way, such an experiment will not become a mockery of a child at all, on the contrary, it will allow him to develop faster and strengthen his health, not to mention the fact that kids often like water procedures. Given the growing demand for such services, in many large cities even special swimming pools for kids have appeared today. Another thing is that a classic diaper in the case of a sudden "accident" will not save here.

Modern manufacturers are here ready to lend a helping hand: they have invented special diapers with particularly tight fasteners and cuffs, which with the highest reliability hold the waste of children's life, and also do not allow water and dirt from the pool or open pond to penetrate, making the product heavier.An ordinary diaper would swell and pull the baby to the bottom, but this will not happen with the accessory that is specially designed for swimming. The highest leaktightness of the product has been tested repeatedly, which allows us to consider bathing in ponds with small children as hygienic, and in most pools, children without such a diaper are simply not allowed.

Swimming nappies are both disposable and reusable. Judging by consumer reviews, the first few are better in the sense that the water swells less and does not hold down the movements of the child, although they are, of course, somewhat more expensive. Accordingly, the reusable diaper characteristic is completely opposite - they are less comfortable in terms of convenience of the child, but parents will cost much cheaper.

Without exception, baby diapers are divided into two main categories, depending on how many cycles they can survive. As in all other cases, none of the species is certainly better than the other, because it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Most modern parents prefer such diapers, and the reason for such love lies on the surface: a diaper, intended for one-time use, is simply thrown out after that, and therefore does not require any maintenance. This is convenient because it is not always possible to wash a diaper or the same reusable counterpart. Nothing needs to be dried, it is enough to find a trash can or tank and have the next copy on hand.

Besides, disposable specimens are rightly considered a little more hygienic and beneficial to the health of the baby’s skin. Parents are not faced with the question of how well the previous “catastrophe” was washed off - a new, absolutely clean diaper is always put on the baby. Without being worn, the accessory performs its functions as “excellent”, and you can not be afraid that it has lost its abilities due to the wrong wash mode.

As for the cost, a disposable diaper is, of course, cheaper than a reusable one, but in the long run the cost is a minus of the first, since even one reusable diapers can replace a whole pack of disposable ones. Predictably, a pack almost always costs more than one diaper, even if it is reusable, so practically the only thing that causes parents to abandon the replacement diapers in question is their cost.

Accordingly, reusable diapers have completely opposite characteristics. The advantage of this solution is that it is enough to spend one time so as not to need a purchase for a long time. Of course, one copy of the child is not enough, because periodically change the diaper, but enough to buy a few pieces instead of a pack containing dozens of such panties. Usually this is useful for both the wallet and free space in the apartment.

Another thing is that a reusable diaper differs from an ordinary classical diaper, except that it has increased leakage protection and no need for immediate replacement. After each use, it will have to be washed first and then dried, which requires a considerable amount of time and effort on the part of the mother. Again, it is convenient to carry out such manipulations at home, but this is not always practical, for example, on vacation. In addition, many reusable diapers put forward certain requirements for washing conditions, ignoring which will lead to premature deterioration, which is undesirable.

There is, however, an alternative variant of a reusable diaper, when only the outer oilcloth is constant, while the “insides”, by analogy with a disposable diaper, are simply thrown away.In terms of washing it is, of course, much simpler, because the oilcloth does not absorb pollution and is quite easily rubbed off even with a simple damp cloth, but a store with suitable inserts should always be nearby, and money will have to be spent regularly. True, buying only one “filling” for an accessory still costs less than a whole disposable diaper.

However, long-term storage and repeated washing, if not the entire diaper, then its outer part, may adversely affect the sanitary situation or the functional characteristics of the product.

Diapers are also classified according to the sex of the baby. Many parents mistakenly believe that the whole difference lies solely in the design of the product and this is a huge mistake: diapers for each sex are adapted to the anatomical structure of the child’s body, so the boy should not buy diapers for girls and vice versa.

The difference is, for example, that most manufacturers, in order to save material and reduce the cost of the product, do not have the main absorbent layer over the entire area of ​​the diaper, but only where excretion is expected. Accordingly, when choosing the wrong diaper, absorption will be ineffective, and this is a direct path to leakage.

In addition, models for boys are more free cut in front, so as not to squeeze the genitals. The design is also different, but, as we have already understood, it is only a minor factor of choice.

In order to guarantee that there will be no leaks, it is necessary to choose the size of the diaper for the child. The accessory should tightly wrap around the waist and legs of the baby, because it is chosen not by age, but by weight, although, of course, the child’s build may be slightly different from the standard one.

However, most suppliers still use simply numbers to designate which is not so difficult to understand.

• Zero size not found in all manufacturers and is not in special demand, it is only suitable for premature babies, whose weight does not even reach two kilograms. Such diapers almost never buy in reserve: as a rule, the child outgrows them in just a matter of weeks.

• First size is a typical choice for many newborns, the maximum weight plan here is 5 kg. On average, such diapers are used no longer than the first six months of life, but in fact even the majority of babies grow out of this size very quickly.

• Second size partially overlaps with the first, for it already has a minimum weight of 3 kg, while the maximum is 6 kg. For premature babies, such a diaper will not fit perfectly; it is also inappropriate for heavy newborns, although some babies can wear it up to the age of 8 months.

• Size 3 assumes the weight of a child is within 4-9 kg, usually it is children aged 5-10 months, although a heavy baby is able to wear such diapers from birth.
• Fourth size assumes considerable weight - from 7 to 18 kg. It is usually worn from about 8 to 18 months, and for many children such a diaper is the last. In it, they reach that level of consciousness when it is already possible to get used to the pot.

• Size 5 suitable for children of weight category from 11 to 25 kilograms.It is believed that children reach such a weight not earlier than 10 months, but the upper age limit is usually not specified. For heavy and not the earliest children who do not master the pot too quickly, this size is the last.

• There are larger sizesincluding for seriously ill adults, but they are already much rarer, not in every supermarket and not at all manufacturers.

You probably noticed that some sizes overlap in weight categories. This is done in order to more thoughtfully buy diapers for future use. A child grows quickly and is able to move from one category to another even faster than a large pack of diapers will end, therefore most children fall into two or three categories at once. Having an "intermediate" weight, they need larger diapers, because they can be used longer.

Another thing is that the diapers too are not worth buying, because they will not fit the body of the child tightly and will allow leakage.

Each manufacturer will say that it is his products that are significantly better than other companies, but even within the products of one company there are different diapers, among which you still need to choose.

It is also quite obvious that each child is individual, and therefore for him the solution that is objectively better for most children will not always be optimal.

• For a start it is worth deciding on what, in general, a diaper is needed. We have already spoken about the detailed classification above, because it is obvious that for constant wear and maximum comfort, mothers need disposable panties, for reusable apartments and saving money, reusable ones are useful, for going to the pool you should choose accessories designed for swimming, and so on.
• The next stage is to understand for whom diapers are bought. Above it was said that they are released different for boys and girls, and the choice is also highly dependent on the weight of the child. It is important to try to find a model that will tightly clasp the baby’s body without squeezing it.

• After that it is necessary to determine the number of pieces. If you buy just such diapers and this particular size for the first time, you shouldn’t pack a lot for a long time ahead, you can’t be sure that the purchase will suit your child. Always take into account the moment that babies grow very quickly, so the carelessly made stock may not be useful. It is worth buying a lot of diapers only if this manufacturer and size have already been tested, and the baby will obviously not soon be out of this category of size. On the largest packs, in general, you should not look, if only you have no more than one children.

• Pay great attention to the quality of the product, do not draw parallels between the advertised manufacturers and really good product. Pay attention, for example, that today even more expensive, but at the same time, more breathable diapers, more useful for baby’s skin, are very popular - they do not delay evaporation, maintaining the normal level of moisture without leaks. Choose the right accessory correctly and according to the criterion of its fastening on the baby, for example, a simple sticky tape can easily deteriorate from accidentally dropped powder or oil.

• Draw conclusions from previous diaper experience. Children are prone to allergies and they often have a rash.Even if it appeared only in the area covered with diapers, and on other parts of the body it does not exist, it’s not a fact that it was the panties that were to blame, perhaps they were simply stored incorrectly. On the other hand, a frequent cause of skin rash is either the presence of potential allergens, or poor absorbent qualities of the product, or the upper layer is too hard - in all the cases described it is worth trying to change the manufacturer or model for some other.

• Choosing diapers, do not forget to check with the expiration date indicated on the package. Expensive products of this type is a complex combination of synthetic and natural substances, and some of the latter may deteriorate over time, because of which the entire product loses its original properties. Pampers can not be compared with napkins or toilet paper, it is much more difficult, because it can deteriorate.
• As for the choice of cost and manufacturer, then this criterion is always left to last. Money, in general, should play a minimal role at the time of buying something for the child, because the parents' task is not to save, but to achieve the goals set for the product.

It is widely accepted among consumers to focus on famous brands that are not only in advertising and in specialized forums, but also in their own friends, but here it should be understood that each child has different needs.

To begin with, it should be said that all the diapers in the world can be divided into two main classes - premium and economy. According to the wording, many inexperienced parents are ready to give up the economy class, rightly wanting only the best for their children, but they will be surprised by the fact that the famous and super popular Pampers around the world, who gave the name to diapers in general, and Huggies.

Therefore, for a start it is worth figuring out what the difference is.

• You can save in different ways and such savings do not always affect the basic qualities of the product. For example, economy class diapers of well-known brands are often not inferior in quality, simply, unlike premium class, they are not decorated with any drawings.
• If diapers are equipped with velcro, then in the economy version it is usually disposable, whereas in the premium version it is more durable. For disposable diapers, this does not change anything, but the reusable velcro econom is better not to choose.
• A premium is often crammed with various technologies, for example, it may contain a special occupancy sensor that can be used to determine when it is time to change a diaper without unbuttoning it. Another pleasant bonus is the aromatization - by smell you will never guess that the diaper was “baptized in battle”. The cheap analogues of all these bonuses, of course, is not provided.

• The volume of premium diapers on average is somewhat larger, moreover, they are better protected from leaks, therefore the average service life of such an accessory is slightly higher. The economical solution should be monitored closely, otherwise pools on the floor cannot be avoided.
• Manufacturers of premium models do their best to provide their customers with maximum comfort, so their models even have a special cutout for the navel. Most babies do not need such a design feature, but if we are talking about a newborn whose navel wound has not completely healed, such a decision will greatly help to maintain a normal sleep.In constructive terms, this configuration is somewhat more complicated, so budget manufacturers do not use it.

• Premium products in large volumes are usually not for sale - they are already quite expensive. Do not think that its main consumers are only the rich and famous; in fact, it is these diapers that the parents of the first time should be advised to buy to their parents in order to make it easier for the baby to get used to completely new conditions. In the future, most families still go to the economy, although, if finances allow, you can not give up the comfort of the highest class until the purchase of a pot.

As we have already understood, the most famous world brands of diapers are not the ultimate dream, although they differ in certain quality. This somewhat confuses those consumers who are accustomed in choosing to focus not so much on specific criteria, but on the reputation of the manufacturer. Making an adequate rating of the most popular diapers in the Russian Federation or the world will be quite difficult, because the mass is usually not the best, and the elite is not available for everyone, so just consider a few popular brands whose product quality is beyond doubt.

Interestingly, the premium class includes products of several different companies, but they are all united by the country of production - Japan. To many of our compatriots, the names of these brands will not say anything, because the Japanese are not seeking to market their products in our country, however, their products are very popular in the world, and can also be found in our supermarkets.

• Almost the standard diapers are considered Merries, which are highly valued for maximum softness and hypoallergenicity. Such products ideally sit on the child and never cause irritation, “breathe”, do not interfere with the movement of the child. The fill indicator is naturally also present. However, the price of such products is also appropriate - even among their premium "colleagues", these diapers stand out noticeably.

• A little cheaper diapers brand Goonfeaturing all the advantages described above. Interestingly, the manufacturer even added vitamin E to the inner layer in order not only not to provoke skin problems, but also to contribute to their elimination, if, for some reason, they still appeared.

• The brand Moony It is also characterized by products with similar properties, but there are also features that make the company win their own fans.
  • Firstly, it is at this company, as is commonly believed, the velcro are almost the best - such fastening is designed for a lot of unfastening and fastening, therefore it will not become a weak link in diapers.
  • Secondly, such a velcro is also notable for its noiselessness - it unfastens itself so quietly that the diaper can be changed even to a sleeping child without waking it. Given that one of the main tasks of a good diaper is to preserve a good baby’s sleep, this characteristic rightly causes only positive feedback from parents.

• American firm Pampers for our compatriots is a model of such products, and even gave the second name to diapers, but it is customary to refer it to the economy class. The manufacturer has extensive experience in the production of child care products, because it is a pioneer not only in our market, but also in the world. The company also has its own laboratories where it regularly innovates to make childhood (and child care) even more comfortable. In general, the products of this brand need no introduction, many consider it to be the best among all the diapers.

• Worthy competition rivals is another American company, very popular with us, - Huggies. This brand also has a half-century history, and the consumer is conquering due to the fact that it is ready to present the maximum assortment in which something suitable will be found for each child.

• No rating of diapers will be complete without mentioning the products of the Swedish company. Libero, which in our country is among the three most sought-after, along with the two brands described above. Here, too, the peculiarity is a focus on the wide strata of the population: in the model range there are also training panties for getting used to the pot, and even diapers painted with vivid pictures, which is somewhat uncharacteristic of economy class products.

• Of course, the world production of diapers is not limited to these six companies, there are other brands that are not so much promoted (for the time being), but have already found their own consumer far beyond the country of manufacture. Among the companies that have not yet become well-known, but may gain world popularity in the coming years, for example, Finnish Muumi, which today can already be bought in Russia. The advantage of such brands is that, without being promoted, it does not imply an overpayment for the name.

Most modern parents agree with the statement that diapers are in the top of the best inventions of mankind in history. We have already moved away from the moment when diapers just appeared on the market and many parents really doubted whether it was worth spending money on them or better using classical diapers, and today the question of whether such an accessory is needed is practically not raised.

Of course, as a whole, parents praise diapers, while they can be critical regarding individual manufacturers or lines: personal experience has suggested that you should not spend money on such products in the future. Here it is necessary to distinguish the cause of the negative - sometimes it really is a mediocre product, but then the criticism of it is mass. Another reason for negative reviews that are not of a mass nature is the banal wrong choice of a diaper, when parents trusted the brand, forgetting to pay attention to specific product characteristics.

In general, attention should also be paid to how the consumer relates to the purchase. A characteristic trend seems to be that cheap products do not have high functionality and flow more often, but sometimes there are high expectations when parents are sure that any diapers in the middle price category should retain moisture the whole night.

In short, focusing on feedback, never draw conclusions on the fact of a single comment, be it harsh criticism or praise.

How to choose the right diaper, see the following video.