There is an ever growing number of mothers, or “mommy bloggers” voicing their opinions. One of the topics this group has discussed is the possible side effects of a new type of slim-profile Pampers brand diaper manufactured by Proctor & Gamble.
The new diapers utilize an advanced form of what the company has dubbed “dry max technology.” This is basically just a marketing catch phrase for super absorbent synthetic polymers that are able to absorb significantly more fluid than their more natural counterparts.
Proctor & Gamble claim the new technology makes the new diapers 20 percent less bulky than previous Pampers, and reduces the product’s environmental footprint by a considerable amount. However, many moms are more concerned with the impact the new diapers have on their baby’s skin than the environment.
Concerns
A number of mommy bloggers immediately reported seeing severe skin irritation soon after trying the new Pampers. In some cases, this apparently went well beyond the normal limits of diaper rash, leading one mother to refer to it as a “chemical burn”. In an effort to better understand the cause of the irritation, one popular blogger examined the inside of one of the new diapers and compared it to an older one. They found that the new Pampers no longer use a mesh liner to hold in the absorbent material, (presumably because the new material expands less) as well as new fragrances and possibly a new form of adhesive binding.
Something Else to Consider
The resulting rashes have proven difficult to consistently reproduce and some experts are still skeptical that the updated diapers are the actual cause of the abnormally pronounced irritation. Specifically, they cite the absence of any truly new chemicals in the product in addition to the rigorous tests all such products undergo prior to their release. There is a fairly strong possibility of irritation any time changes are made to the materials that come into contact with human skin. Especially baby skin. This applies to everything from a new pair of socks to changes in detergent.
What Can I Do to Prevent This at Home?
Regardless of whether or not these new diapers are the cause of the irritation, they are not the best option for young skin or the environment. Nearly all big-name diapers use similar technology and produce considerable amounts of trash. Switching to cloth or all-natural organic diapers is a great way to reduce the chemicals your child’s most sensitive areas are exposed to. Still, it’s no guarantee that your young one will never experience a case of diaper rash. I recommend natural remedies for diaper rash.
-Dr. G
January 12th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
these ppl are always complaining….i kno ppl who keep there kids in a diaper throughout the whole night. Now this can cause a diaper rash….women lets be smart u wont wear a pad that long but u expect your baby to wear a diaper that long????
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January 11th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Dr. G,
You have my favorite health blog on the internet. Really, it is a wealth of information. Having 2 young children and a full practice in medicine I know the ins and outs of diapering. Organic cloth diapers of cotton and hemp are the cream of the crop but YES they are a tremendous amount of work. Gro Via makes a diaper insert for their diaper covers that works well and is totally compostable. They are $$. That is the problem. The cheaper diapers which are affordable to most are the ones that bulk up landfills and harm the baby skin.
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