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Most moms probably put considerable thought or research in finding and purchasing good, effective disposable diaper brands. I am no exception! It's also part of a new or expectant mom's nesting instinct to buy baby supplies even months before baby comes out to greet the world, and diapers and good ol' 'lampins' are one of those supplies that are must-haves for us to take care of our little ones.
When I was seven months pregnant with Ayu, I started to go on an online shopping spree to secure her must-haves. With all the many diaper brands in the market, I 'lurked' far and deep into Lazada product reviews, and even other blogs to know more. I will also post product reviews of the diaper brands we have used so far to help you decide if these are the brands you are looking for in the next articles under the #DiaperDiarySeries!
Most mothers look into the following major aspects when buying diapers:
Price - Affordable and can fit in monthly budget
Absorbency - Highly absorbent material that can effectively absorb pees and runny poos
Rash-free - Gentle on baby skin and does not cause rash
Leak guards - Doesn't leak easily!
Good fit - Fits baby bums comfortably and snugly, so baby can bounce all day without the 'lawlaw'
Overall comfort - Baby likes the overall comfort of the diaper
Other factors that are taken into account are the following:
Softness of the material - It is enticing to use super soft diapers on our little ones to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the day.
Design and packaging - Some moms also look into the packaging and the design of the diaper itself. I also like minimalist, pastel colors.
Ease of wear - Is it easy to put on your baby, even though those little feet are kicking about?
Organic or eco-friendly - Using certified organic raw materials or eco-friendly options (like bamboo diapers, yes, there's a thing!) is another factor considered by eco-conscious moms.
Fragrance-free - Fragrances can sometimes irritate baby skin because of the presence of oils, so there are mothers who opt for fragrance-free options to avoid or minimize skin irritation.
Lotion-free or Latex-free - Like fragrances, lotions and latex additives can also cause skin irritation.
The primary factors I take into account are the hypoallergenic quality, high absorbency and comfortable fit. It will also be a 'wow' factor if the diaper has excellent gartering or leak guard material because my baby has unexpected poop explosions!
Daily Disposable Diaper Usage and Size Fit
The daily diaper usage of babies vary, because babies are born in different shapes and sizes! Some babies are comfortable with daily changes of 4 - 6 nappies a day (like my Baby Ayu), while some may need 8 or more. On average, the daily diaper usage should be proportional to the number of feeds, which means that there will be more nappy usage in the first few months, usually from birth to 3 months. If a newborn feeds 12 times a day or every two hours, expect that the number of diaper changes will be around this number as well. Most babies pee or poo after feeding, but then again, every baby is different.
Diaper brands also label the suggested fit according to weight, with sizes ranging from Newborn Size, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and even XXL and XXXL sizes. Most babies start on the NB size, but larger babies who are 5 kilos and above are recommended to start on the Small size. Our wee Baby Ayu, on the other hand, was still on the NB size until 3 months! At almost six months, she is still on Small.
This size guide from Pampers is a recommended guide on the sizing and daily usage.
It is recommended to move up the size chart if your baby can already fit in the range suggested by most diaper brands, and if it is obvious that the diaper can't fit your baby's bum anymore, as evidenced by harsh garter marks and frequent leaks.
In my opinion, the quality of the diapers count as well in considering the daily diaper usage. High-quality diapers are more absorbent with minimal or no risk of diaper rash, allowing a longer, worry-free wear. You might consider buying high-quality diapers, albeit expensive, as this allows you to minimize diaper changes without causing irritability or diaper rash. I've read comments from other mothers who opted to choose cheaper alternatives, but ended up spending more because of the need to change frequently due to diaper rash, leakage and limited absorbency of the diaper itself. Still, there are diaper brands that are not only affordable but also skin-caring and hypoallergenic (like Pampers and Mamypoko).
Using cloth diaper is also an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic option, instead of using disposable diapers on the daily. I am also thinking of using cloth diapers, but due to my hectic workload and responsibilities, I might not be able to sustain the extra effort needed to utilize cloth diapers on a daily basis.
DIAPER CHANGING TIPS:
Urine and stool can easily irritate baby's skin. Because of this, diaper rash is common, and it is mostly caused by infrequent changing of nappy. It is advisable to change the diaper every four to six hours (or less, if your baby is extra sensitive), or as soon as baby has finished passing stool.
Give your baby a diaper-free period daily to let the skin 'breathe'. Using the traditional 'lampin' or cloth diapers will minimize the risk of diaper rash and allow skin healing and recovery from diaper irritation.
To ensure that your baby's skin will be protected from urine and stool while wearing nappies, you can apply hypoallergenic creams and skin barriers like calamine lotion, petroleum jelly, and diaper creams like Mustela Vitamin Barrier Cream to prevent rash and soothe existing irritation.
At every diaper change, make sure to wash your hands before handling your baby's bottoms and applying any cream or ointment. Clean the diaper area with hypoallergenic wipes, preferably with a formulation that is close to water and is also alcohol-free. The more cost-friendly option is to clean with wet cotton balls soaked with distilled, clean water. You can also opt to clean with no-rinse cleansers such as cleansing milks and micellar water for babies. I personally use Mustela No-Rinse Cleansing Milk and Mustela Cleansing Water.
Do not apply baby powder, whether talc-based or organic (rice or cornstarch), as well as oils in the diaper area as these products can potentially irritate the skin or exacerbate rash.
If your baby is extra sensitive or has other underlying conditions like eczema and allergy, follow your pediatrician's advice or recommendations. Do not self-medicate!
In our next post under Diaper Diaries, I write about product reviews of the diaper brands we used or are using. Keep updated, fellow moms!
Do you have any product recommendations for diapers? Any tips and suggestions on diaper changing? Comment below and share your experiences!
If you want to request a product review, please let me know by commenting below or sending an email at ftmom.ph@gmail.com. (Don't worry, I don't charge fees!)
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