Please note that this review has been edited below in red. I'm not as pleased now with the new diapers as I originally was (guess I needed a couple more days to see the negatives), so we may be looking into other diapering options at this point.
Earlier this week, I
posted about the uproar over the
new Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max. I've been using the new Swaddlers for two days now and here are my thoughts:
(First things first for comparison: I'm using Pampers Swaddlers with Dry Max Size 2-3 for my 14-pound son.)
Unlike what I've been hearing about the new Pampers Cruisers, the new Swaddlers DO have the patented mesh lining. Thank God because I really feel like the mesh holds messes in the diaper. Some folks are reporting more blowouts with the new diapers, but this has not been the case with us so far.
The new diapers are indeed less soft than the old Swaddlers, but only on the outside area which does not touch the baby. I did a good old rubbing the diaper on my cheek test and the new ones were a little scratchy. The old ones made me say "ahhh."
The absorbent material does not go up all the way to the top of the diaper in the back, but it does in the front. However, I haven't noticed a difference in absorbency between the new and the old diapers, which were absorbent all around. We have not had any leaks. Also, the absorbent gel does puff up the thin diaper considerably, but the gel has always remained soft for us and never got hard as some have complained. My son hasn't shown any discomfort, and I have left him in the diaper overnight (5-6 hrs).
**
**4/16 EDIT: We had our first leak last night, up and over the back of the diaper where the absorbent material runs out after only 2 hours of sleep. Bah! I will keep you posted on more!**
**4/17 EDIT: We had another leak last night/early this morning. It went not only up and over but THROUGH the back area of the diaper where there is no absorbent material. SO frustrating. It happens really early in the morning when he has a lot of pee, so perhaps I'll have to switch his diapers just for overnight.
I'm also noticing my little one's bum getting a bit red, which is concerning. I'll keep you posted!**
I have not noticed a diaper rash on my son, but I am really being extra careful--applying tons of Balmex at each change. I'll keep an eye out and report here if I do notice the beginnings of a rash as some are reporting severe chemical-burn-like rashes, possibly from the new diapers.
**
The worst things about the new Swaddlers are that they took away the wetness indicator line on the front (I loved that thing!) and they smell terrible! I got the distinct whiff of chemical when I opened up the package, which concerned me. And, while the smell dissipates a bit to a sort of powdery smell in the open air, once the diaper gets wet, the chemical smell returns with a vengeance.
If something could be done to get rid of the smell and the wetness indicator line returned, I'd probably give the Dry Max Swaddlers two thumbs up. For now, however, I'll give them just a thumb, and hope for the best.
(Boo to you, Pampers. A thumb down now! Bring back the old design, please!)
Anyone in agreement/disagreement?
