In the first months after the birth of a child, young parents are puzzled by several questions: how to organize the mode of the day for the baby, how to bathe it, what food is the best, what diapers are the most harmless and reliable for newborns. Choose diapers for the baby, optimal in price and quality, help advanced tips from experienced parents, collected in our article.
Battle of times and generations: which diaper is better?
It would seem that disposable diapers are already firmly established in our everyday life, but disputes between grandmothers and mummies, and sometimes between “advanced” mommies about the dangers and benefits of the so-called “diapers”, have not subsided. Of course, you can refuse to use them and wrap the baby in gauze and diapers, but you will need to prepare for the grief of the wash and the always soiled crumbs, especially in the first month after birth.
Many pediatricians in the neonatal period still advise making life easier for themselves and the child, using disposable diapers, examining their comparative characteristics and choosing the most suitable ones.
How to choose the first diaper
The most difficult choice is the first one when diapers are bought for crumbs still in the mother’s tummy. Experienced parents are advised to take the smallest package because it is not known whether these diapers are suitable for a baby, whether allergies will not cause, or whether they will absorb well. Many manufacturers produce a special size for newborns – Newborn, for crumbs weighing up to 4-5 kg. After using the first few pieces, it will be clear whether the chosen brand is suitable or needs to be changed. If suddenly on the skin of a baby under a diaper rash, redness appeared, it is recommended to try “diapers” of other brands, having bought several of them. If the child was born with a normal weight, then very soon the parents will have to change size.
In the first weeks after birth, the baby can crap several times a day. At this time there is no special need to buy diapers premium, capable of absorbing a lot of fluid because their potential will remain unfulfilled. It is better to pay attention to special models that can absorb baby’s liquid stool, or try to change the “diapers” immediately after defecation in order to minimize the time of skin contact with feces.
It is quite simple to choose the right size of the “pampers”: manufacturers indicate the approximate boundary lower and upper weight of the baby for which the product is designed. For example, 2-5, 3-6, 4-9, etc. In size, you can navigate by the weight of the child, moving on to the next when you reach the specified lower limit.
Features of the “right” diapers
It seems that all diapers are the same, but they can absolutely “sit” on the baby. For some parents, the chosen brand is ideal, satisfying in all respects, and for others – the last one when choosing in the store due to “leaks” during the sleep or wakefulness of the crumbs.
It is possible to understand whether the chosen brand of diapers is suitable for the baby, whether the leak was a one-time or not if you check whether the diaper is correctly put on:
- the belt should not cover the navel;
- elastic cuffs should fit snugly to the legs, but not squeeze them;
- fasteners should be arranged symmetrically, without obvious distortions in one or the other direction.
Many manufacturers produce diapers with a funny pattern on the belt, the location of which allows you to properly fasten the clasps. In high-quality models there are special elastic inserts on the belt, due to which the diaper sits better on an active, constantly moving baby.
Many mommies prefer to choose diapers not only by weight but also by the baby’s floor: designed for girls or for boys. These models are distinguished by the location of the absorbent: for boys, it is more front, and for girls below and behind the diaper, in unisex models, it is evenly distributed.
The same model can be worn in different ways by a thin baby and a sturdy, so it is recommended that when going from size to size, first buy several pieces of diapers, and if they came up – the whole package. You can check whether the diaper is still suitable or you need to change the size by sweeping your finger under the belt and cuffs, it should pass freely, but at the same time there should be no gaps, otherwise, leaks may occur.
To understand that the crumb has already grown from this “diaper” can be on several grounds:
- on the legs and the belt after removing it, redness is visible, traces of cuffs;
- it is impossible to pull on the ass symmetrically;
- After one or two “pisses”, it becomes wet and may leak.
For active babies older than 7-8 months, you can buy special diaper panties, sewn in the shape of regular panties, but from the same materials as the usual “diapers”. They cost a little more than the usual models, but the higher price is offset by the convenience of putting them on, protecting them from sudden unbuttoning, they can be put on and taken off several times a day if the baby stays dry.
Top diapers: safety and reliability rating
Not always that which is more expensive is at the same time better. Roskontrol experts tested several brands of disposable diapers for the following parameters:
- Moisture absorption time;
- Amount of fluid absorbed;
- The amount of fluid discharged to the outside under external influence;
- Air permeability;
- Toxicity index (the content of harmful substances, volatile organic compounds);
- The presence of a specific smell.
In the opinion of many mummies, Japanese diapers are considered to be one of the best and most expensive brands – soft, odorless, absorbent. But studies have shown that most liquid can absorb diapers cheaper – low-cost Bella and HelenHarper. And the Japanese diapers on these indicators take the last place, leading by the amount of fluid given out. If a child in such a “diaper” abruptly sits on the ass from a standing position, it is likely that he will be able to squeeze out a little moisture and then he will feel discomfort, and constant skin contact with urine can lead to diaper rash, irritation. But they have the fastest absorption time – about 1 second.
According to the toxicity index, all diapers showed results within the normal range and well below it, which means that manufacturers carefully monitor the composition of the materials used.
The best results on the totality of indicators, experts noted among Polish brands, one of the complaints against Pampers and Huggies was the presence of a rather strong odor, which could trigger an allergic reaction in a child.
How to wear a diaper
In order for this part of the baby’s wardrobe not to harm its health, you need to follow several rules:
- Buy diapers in size, depending on the weight of the crumbs;
- Change them every 3-4 hours or immediately after a bowel movement;
- Try not to use powders and creams before dressing, as they clog up the inner absorbent layer and the diaper can leak, in many models there are already special skin care ingredients;
- Choose one suitable brand and do not experiment with others.
The correct diaper should sit on the baby, tightly wrapping, but not squeezing his legs and abdomen, well fitting to the back in order to avoid leaks. It is advisable to wear it on a child lying quietly, carefully fixing the clasps and straightening the cuffs, turning them outward. Certain models are equipped with a special indicator strip, which becomes brighter as the diaper is filled and signals the need to change it.
Following our advice, choose the best diaper for your baby, and let it grow healthy in a comfortable environment.
