The Diaper Study - Report

After much anticipation, the diaper study results are in...

Conclusion (since most of you will be bored with the details): no rashes observed with any of the diaper types and leaks occurred with all diaper types. No significant differences were observed between the Pampers Swaddlers Dry Max, Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, or the Huggies Little Snugglers diapers per the testing and conditions defined in the test protocol.


Rash Results

• Pampers Swaddlers Dry Max: no rash observed, all 45 samples rated = 1.
• Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive: no rash observed, all 45 samples rated = 1.
• Huggies Little Snugglers: no rash observed, all 45 samples rated = 1.

Here at the MitMit household, we suspect that the application of diaper cream with each diaper change may have had a significant impact on the absence of diaper rash observations. Had the study have been conducted without the application of diaper cream, it is possible that sensitivity to diaper variation may have been detectable. However, we were not willing to trade sensitivity for potential bum impact.


Leakage Results

• Pampers Swaddlers Dry Max: 1 occurrence (poop) out of 45 observations. Leakage occurred out back of diaper.
• Pamples Swaddlers Sensitive: 2 occurrence (poop) out of 45 observations. Both leakages occurred out back of diaper.
• Huggies Little Snugglers: 2 occurrence (poop) out of 45 observations.* Both leakages occurred out leg holes of diaper.

*In fairness of this qualitative study, one of the Huggies diapers had more baby poo than I have previously observed. Ever. I hypothesize (although unable to replicate and prove) that failure would have occurred regardless of diaper type.

In all test sample groups, essentially the same number of W (pee), BM (poop), and W+BM (both pee and poop) diapers were recorded. All test sample diapers were worn by the test wearer no longer than 2 hours, or changed upon first detection (hypothesis) of dirty diaper. While minor variables do exist within this study (milk volume consumed was not regulated or recorded, baby aging over duration of study, and others not identified here), there was no significantly different performance with regards to leakage observed. All diaper types leaked. Parents, expect to need that back-up outfit in your diaper bag. If your baby "produces" like our test wearer, expect to use 1 - 2 back-up outfits per week. Also consider placing a scissors in your diaper bag as well. There are some "leakages" that really merit just cutting off the onesie versus smearing poop up back and over head.



General Observations
While outside of the specified scope of the diaper study, we offer these qualitative observations and opinions on the diapers tested:

• Pampers Swaddlers Dry Max were by far the thinnest diaper with no negative impact on absorption performance. These diapers feel soft on the inside and out. These diapers also smell (strongly!) like fake baby. While no issue was identified in this study, we still can't quite shake the feeling that the formidable smell indicates something a little more harshly chemical with these diapers.
• Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive were slightly thicker than their Dry Max relatives, but with a more subtle fake baby smell. Marketing may be winning me over with the name "sensitive" and the gentle images on the packaging and diapers; these did seem less harsh. The Velcro tab fasteners on these diapers were a little harder to remove from the diaper body when first opening to install on baby, tending to stick and were a minor nuisance.
• Huggies Little Snugglers put on a good show - these seemed markedly improved to the Huggies we remembered using and disliking 2 years back with our first child. The outside of the diaper feels more paper-like (less like the synthesized soft cotton feeling of the Pampers diapers), but the inside was comparably soft. These diapers had the least offensive smell, almost none. The elastic along the back of these diapers was impressive at stopping leakage (blow-outs occurred out the leg holes). However, since the poop can't escape out the back of these diapers it tended to spread up the front into the girl area. Not sure if this is better than having poop blowing-out the back of the diaper...tough call.