Overview
Are you searching for the best diapers for your baby?
Choosing the right diaper can be a difficult decision for many new parents. There are plenty of brands to choose from, with so many varieties and styles available within one brand, too.
But you’ll want to avoid blowouts as much as possible. It happens when your baby poops, and the poop leaks out around the legs and back because the diaper failed.
So, it’s important not only to consider whether the diaper has a comfortable fit but also other factors like:
- Absorbency
- Diaper sizes
- Fit
- Leak protection
- Wetness indicator
- Free of chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin
Note that even the best overnight diapers can’t guarantee 100% protection from leakage. There are, however, certain extra absorbent diapers that can provide longer hours of protection for your baby.
In this article, we’ll compare two of the most popular options available- Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers Baby Dry.
Even though they’re the same brand, what are the key differences between the Swaddlers and Baby Dry? Which one is better for daytime and overnight use? Are they safe? Continue reading to learn more.
Which Is Better Swaddlers Or Baby Dry? Main Differences
What Makes Pampers Baby Dry Better?
- It’s more absorbent.
- It’s designed to last up to 12 hours.
What Makes Pampers Swaddlers Better?
- It’s softer and might be more comfortable.
- It comes with an umbilical cord notch (a special cutout area meant to protect a newborn baby’s belly button).
- It has one additional size option: Size 7 (kids, 41+ lbs).
- It has a wetness indicator for all diaper sizes, while Baby Dry only has this feature for sizes newborn, 1, and 2.
Continue reading to learn more about each diaper.
Pampers Baby Dry
Key Features
Material: PP (polypropylene) and PET (polyethylene) fibers, wood pulp, and super-absorbent gel
Product Safety: Hypoallergenic, paraben-free, latex-free, and chlorine-free
Size Range: From newborn to size 6 (toddler)
Fit: All-around stretchy sides that you can adjust for a better fit
Absorbency: Three layers of absorbency that pull liquid away from your baby’s skin
Wetness Indicator: Color-changing wetness indicator for sizes newborn, 1, and 2
Leak Protection: Dual leak-guard barriers
Hours Of Protection: Dryness for up to 12 hours
Other Special Features:
- Ships in 100% recyclable box
- Air channels keep wetness away from your baby’s skin.
Product Recall
- Major retail outlets in South Korea, namely Lotte Mart, Homeplus, and E-mart, pulled out stocks of Pampers Baby Dry diapers in February 2017. (1)
- The South Korean government didn’t issue a recall. But these major retail outlets and discount stores removed the items due to an article published by French magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs (60 Million Consumers) on January 24, 2017. (1)(2)
- The article claimed that Pampers Baby Dry diapers have 0.000533 picograms per gram toxicity equivalency factor of dioxin. This highly toxic chemical potentially damages the immune system. It may also cause developmental and reproductive problems. (2)
- Procter & Gamble Co., the makers of Pampers, denied the French magazine’s allegations, adding that they don’t know how the magazine tested the products. (1)
- According to the company’s statement, they have never used dioxin intentionally in their products. But even if the French magazine’s tests were authentic, Procter & Gamble Co. said that the results were “extremely minute and harmless.” (1)(2)
- Procter & Gamble Co. refused to refund customers in South Korea. They insisted that there’s nothing wrong with their products. (1)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- This diaper offers five layers of protection and air channels.
- It’s designed for overnight dryness and may be used for up to 12 hours.
- The LockAway absorb channels keep your baby’s skin dry.
- This product is dermatologist-approved by the Skin Health Alliance to be hypoallergenic and free of parabens and latex or natural rubber.
- Diapering may be fun with the colorful Sesame Street designs and characters.
- The wetness indicator can help you know when your baby may be ready for a diaper change.
Cons
- Some parents complained that the diapers they received were thinner than previous Pampers Dry diapers they had purchased.
What Customers Say: Pampers Baby Dry Reviews
Positive Reviews
“I absolutely love these diapers!! They are soft, not bulky, don’t leak, keep the baby dry, cute design, and have a line that indicates your baby has a wet diaper! I’ve always loved Pampers and highly recommend it!” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“I’ve been using the Pampers Baby Dry diaper for the past few weeks with my 9-month-old baby. I really like how stretchy and comfortable this diaper is for my babies, as she is on the chunky side. The lock-away channels on the diaper are to help prevent leakage and keep the baby dry as possible, even through the night. I can attest that my baby has not had any leakage throughout the day or night while using this diaper, and I have really come to love this diaper overall for my baby. I definitely would recommend this Pampers product and will continue to purchase it.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“My daughter gets a rash in the Pampers Swaddlers because they just fluff up with pee, and it sits against her skin. These (Baby Dry) are much more absorbent yet thinner. Never had a blowout. Never had a leak. She has slept 12 hours through the night and stayed dry. These are a better price, and sure they are thinner, but they work just as well if not better. Love these diapers.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“Not the same diapers!!! Much less padding! And not soft at all! Very disappointed! Leaked the first 20 minutes with the diaper on!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“DON’T BUY! Been washing bedsheets daily for weeks due to son’s leaking diaper issues – tried a dozen other things before realizing – it’s this last batch of diapers!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“I wanted to like these diapers so badly because we love Pampers and have been on the hunt for a good overnight diaper! Unfortunately, the first and only two nights we tried these diapers, my little one had major blowouts. If you change your little ones’ diapers throughout the night, these may work for you, but because we let our baby go through the night in one diaper, these do not work for us.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
Pampers Swaddlers
Key Features
Material: PP (polypropylene) and PET (polyethylene) fibers, wood pulp, super-absorbent gel, petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe vera leaf extract
Product Safety: Paraben-free, latex-free, and chlorine-free
Size Range: From newborn to size 7 (kids)
Fit: Soft Flexi-Sides that can be easily adjusted so you can find the perfect fit for your baby
Absorbency: Features a special layer for extra absorbency
Absorb Channels: Soft but absorbent layers
Wetness Indicator: Color-changing wetness indicator for all sizes
Leak Protection: Dual leak-guard barriers
Air Channels: BreatheFree liner
Other Special Features:
- It’s marketed by Procter & Gamble Co. as Pampers’ softest diapers.
- Hand-drawn animal prints may make Swaddlers diapers an attractive choice for your kids.
- It comes with an umbilical cord notch that may protect your newborn baby’s belly button.
Product Recall
- In 2010, several parents launched a campaign to recall the diapers after Procter & Gamble Co. updated its Cruisers and Swaddlers with Dry Max. These parents claimed that the diapers cause diaper rashes, even chemical burns, on their children. (3)
- After the parents’ online petition went viral, Procter & Gamble Co. denied the allegations. (4)
- The company stood by its products and shared safety data indicating that the diapers underwent rigorous safety tests. (3)
- The spokesman for Procter & Gamble Co.’s baby care division, Bryan McCleary, said that there was no evidence that a single baby experienced serious skin safety issues using the diapers. (3)
- No recall was issued. (3)(4)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Designed to be gentle on delicate skin, Pampers Swaddlers are hypoallergenic and free of parabens and latex (natural rubber).
- The BreatheFree liner may quickly absorb wetness to keep your baby’s skin dry.
- The diapers can be easily adjusted to fit your growing baby.
- There are plenty of sizes to choose from, providing you with the right diapers to fit your baby.
Cons
- Some parents complained that the product caused diaper rash on their babies.
What Customers Say: Pampers Swaddlers Reviews
Positive Reviews
“With my first child, I used cloth diapers; however, with my second, I just don’t have the time. Someone recommended Target brand diapers to me, stating they were just as good as Pampers but much cheaper. WRONG. Target brand is not good for up-the-back poops or overnight wet diapers. My daughter is six months and is finally sleeping through the night, and these diapers are the only ones that don’t have her soaked when she wakes up! Plus, they are not bulky like Huggies. I would recommend these to anyone, especially moms with chunky babies! Also, I would recommend buying them in bulk; you get a much better deal!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“These diapers are super soft and work well. We had used the Swaddlers when our kids were babies and are glad to see that they are now offered in bigger sizes. The price is about average for diapers.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“The blue wetness indicator has always been a big help, especially again for a baby with sensitive skin that required very prompt changes after peeing. The designs on the diapers have been simplified from some of the smaller sizes we used to get (previously, there were Sesame Street character designs). But as my daughter gets older, she is less interested in what the designs are anyway. The diapers themselves feel slightly thinner to me, but they have not had any drop in leak protection or performance that I have noticed.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“We had blowouts in these. When our daughter was first born, we used Pampers Pure and had good luck with those. After about six months, we switched to Luvs. These are the first Pampers we have tried since. She is currently 20 months old, 22 pounds, and a size 3 in diapers. We did not have good luck with these. We had blowouts, and they are super thick compared to Luvs.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“The Velcro on these diapers is great. It stays in place really well. Unfortunately, with each of my kids, whenever I used Pampers diapers, they get a really bad rash. I tried it with my youngest when we received these, but she got a rash with them too.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“Just received our new box, and I had heard they were no longer doing the Sesame Street design. No biggie. But when I went to change my daughter and grabbed one, I immediately noticed it felt thinner, like an off-brand that we had tried and didn’t like. I didn’t think much of it, but when I went to change her, she had actually peed a little through the diaper. She had just been checked recently, too, so she hadn’t been sitting in and/or done multiple pees. They seem bigger in the waist, and the part that gathers around the leg seems looser as well. I’m so disappointed in these and have been using Pampers since day one, but now I guess we will have to look into switching.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Pampers Diaper FAQs
How To Ensure That The Pampers Diapers Fit?
No matter what brand or type of diaper you choose for your baby, it’s important to make sure that these fit your baby to avoid blowouts and leakages.
Check for the perfect fit by following these simple steps:
- Check the front of the diaper. It should fit just under your child’s belly button.
- Check the leg cuff fit. Run two fingers just inside these leg cuffs to check for bunching or gaps.
- Check the waist and fastening. Again, run two fingers just inside the waistline.
If the diaper is too loose or too tight, adjust it accordingly. You’ll know that the diaper fits perfectly when there are no red marks when you remove it later.
Are Pampers Baby Dry Overnight Diapers?
Yes, Pampers Baby Dry are overnight diapers designed for up to 12 hours of use. Fewer diaper changes at night could mean less disturbance in your baby’s sleep.
Do Pampers Baby Dry Leak?
Pampers Baby Dry has an Absorb Away Liner that may provide better absorbance than Pampers Swaddlers. It could help prevent leaks and hold more pee or poop for overnight use.
Can My Baby Use Pampers Baby Dry During The Day?
They were mainly designed for overnight use, but there’s no reason your baby can’t use Pampers Baby Dry during the day.
What’s Diaper Rash & How Can I Prevent It?
There are many reasons why your baby might develop diaper rash, but here are some of the most common:
- Skin sensitivity
- Prolonged exposure to wetness due to infrequent diaper changes or using unabsorbent diapers
- Chafing
To prevent diaper rash, keep your baby’s skin dry and clean.
Both Pampers Baby Dry and Pampers Swaddlers have LockAway Channels that absorb wetness and keep it away from your baby’s skin.
When Can I Start Potty Training?
There’s no specific age for children to start potty training, but most children may be ready starting from 18 months of age.
Younger babies may also begin potty training the moment they start sitting up on their own. But for safety, they should always be supervised, especially in the toilet where they have access to water.
Starting potty training too early might make it longer to train your child because younger babies might not understand yet.
Older babies may be easier to toilet train, but some children aren’t ready until they’re around three years old.
The following are some signs that your child is ready for potty training:
- Waking up dry after a nap
- Having dry diapers for longer than usual
- Pulling at a wet diaper
- Pulling at a dry diaper
- Hiding to poop or pee, even while using diapers
- Copying older people’s behavior
- Showing interest in how older babies are using the potty
Other Diaper Brands & Pampers Options
The following are some of the other Pampers variations:
- Pampers Cruisers 360 Fit (pull up diapers)
- Pampers Pure Protection (premium cotton)
- Pampers Easy Ups (pull-up pant diapers)
- Pampers Splashers (swim pants)
- Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive
- Pampers Swaddlers Overnight
- Pampers Pure Protection Hybrid Diapers (mix of reusable cloth diaper covers and disposable inserts)
The following disposable diaper brands are some of the most popular or commonly used in the US: (5)
- Huggies
- Pampers
- Hello Bello
- Luvs
- Parent’s Choice
- Honest Diapers
- GoodNites
- Babyganics
- Seventh Generation
- Up&Up
- Earth’s Best
Diaper Bag Recommendations
When going out, it might be a good idea to bring a separate bag containing all the items that your baby needs. Diaper bags usually have extra pockets to help organize your baby’s stuff.
The following are some diaper bags you can choose from:
- Freshly Picked diaper bag
- Stokke diaper bag
- BabbleRoo Baby Nappy Changing Bags Multifunction Waterproof Travel Back Pack with Changing Pad & Stroller Straps
- Babymel George Diaper Bag
- Storksak Hero Nylon Diaper Bag Black
- BabyCubby Azaria La Mere Petite Luxe
- Mina Baie diaper bag
- BeautyLivoor 3-in-1 Diaper Bag Backpack with Changing Station
Summary & Recommendation
In choosing the right diapers for your baby, safety and comfort should always be your primary concern. You also have to make sure you pick the correct size for your baby’s comfort and prevent leaks or blowouts.
Pampers Baby Dry and Pampers Swaddlers are nearly the same. They’re both made by the same company, have similar sizes, and nearly the same styles. But which is better?
Your choice might depend on your budget, preferences, and what your baby needs.
Choose Pampers Baby Dry if:
- You prefer a more absorbent diaper.
- You prefer an overnight diaper that may last up to 12 hours.
Are Pampers Swaddlers good? Choose these diapers if:
- You prefer a softer, possibly more comfortable diaper.
- Your baby needs a special diaper with an umbilical cord notch.
- Your baby needs a bigger diaper (Size 7, 41+ lbs).
- You prefer diapers with wetness indicators, no matter the size.
REFERENCES
(1) http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170207000697
(2) https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/02/03/p-g-responds-to-concerns-as-pampers-pulled-from.html
(3) https://www.foxnews.com/story/parents-claim-pampers-diapers-caused-chemical-burns
(4) https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/rash-of-complaints-diaper/1874724/
(5) https://www.statista.com/forecasts/986736/brand-awareness-of-diapers-in-the-us
