Diapers .. Diapers .. Diapers

As per requests from many mom's and dad's, we've tried our best to document, the various brands of diapers available in the market. This is not an exhaustive list but we've tried to cover the basic ones.

When we started dabbling in the indian retail diaper business just 18 months ago, there were just two brands of diapers available - Huggies and Pampers.

Both were premium products having distinct features. Huggies was with a PE backsheet and sticking tags whereas Pampers had cloth feel backsheet with velcro tags and was scented. Prices bordered on expensive. Average Rs. 12/- per piece in 2005-2006.

Then, the next biggest entry was that of Xtracare products, Bangalore with 3 brands - DryFirst, CumfyDry and Lolla's. DryFirst was their premium product, the other two being their economical options.

At the same time, there were many generic brands mushrooming (being imported) in other parts of the country that were not largely marketed but mostly available in the metros like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi.

And, soon these brands entered Hyderabad and Bangalore because of good demand for diapers.

But, as usual they were all modeled after Huggies and Pampers. So, in essence there are two types of diapers: a) PE film backsheet and b) Cloth-feel backsheet.

Brands such as Koochies, LIDO, Teddyz, Nappiez, Wingo, Concept have PE (plastic) backsheet with sticking tags. These are the economical brands. The back sheet is non-breathable.

Premium brands are Huggies Ultra, Pampers Active Baby, Pampers, Royal Orchid, Kiddo, DryFirst, Drypers, Wiprosoft. All have breathable back sheet.

The next distinguishing factor was velcro tags (multiple sticking) or sticking tags. Every parent figures out which works best for their baby. Some prefer velcro and many prefer the softer sticking tape kind.
Velcro options are: Huggies Ultra, Pampers Active Baby, Pampers, Royal Orchid, Kiddo.
Sticking tags options are: Drypers, Wiprosoft, DryFirst.

The rest is all standard specification, super absorbent polymers, double leak guards.

Coming to selection of a diaper for your baby, there are many factors, namely, the weather, the fit and most importantly the diaper your baby feels most comfortable with. It is not true that economical diapers give diaper rash. And it is also not true that velcro tags are always better than sticking tags. Diaper rash can be caused by many reasons, which we will devote a separate section to and also how to treat diaper rash.

Most parents use a good combination of economical as well as premium diapers. The main difference between PE film and breathable cover, is that:
PE film diapers retains heat and smell within the diaper which can irritate the baby's skin, if kept on for long periods of time. And they need to be checked a couple of times to see if the baby has pooped.

But in the case of breathable diapers, the whiff of your baby's poop will reach you :)

Having said all the above, we also want your views on diapers. Please use this blog to share information with other parents.

We will be listing each brand of diaper available in the market with their distinguishing characteristics, prices etc., shortly. Please feel free to give your comments and feedback.

Warm Regards,
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