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Continuity Clinic Notebook:

 Chapter 1: The Prenatal and Well Child Visit


Chapter 1 Index

A. General Information about the well child examination
--Prenatal Visit
--Well Child Check-up
--Neonatal Jaundice
--Breast Milk Jaundice
--Circumcision

  

Diapers: A Cover-up or Change is Good
Drs. Butler, Stroud, Stephens, Chappell, A. Bonitatibus

Introduction: The battle between cloth diaper and disposable diapers is over --- the clear victor is the disposable diaper with over 85-90% of the market.  The battle was waged between environmentalists and parents: parents have won.  The cost of the two were similar, and the number of diaper rashes less, the convenience greater with disposables.  Disposables have an absorbent gel responsible for keeping babies dryer than the cloth diapers.

Market Share of Diapers: Note that Pampers and Luvs both made by P and G:

Huggies: 31%   Kimberly-Clark
Pampers: 27% Proctor & Gamble
Luvs: 14% Proctor & Gamble
Private label: 25%  e.g. Publix, Kroger, etc

Types, Costs and Characteristics of Certain Disposable Diapers:

Name of Diaper Cost per year* Comments
Pampers baby dry $575 Sizes: newborn to 5; Air flow cover with gentle touch liner

Ultrathin design; Readjustable fasteneners
Pampers Premium $725 Sizes: newborn to 5; Gentle touch liner; Ultrathin design;

Microvent system; Fastener tape tabs
Pampers Rash-Guard $850 Sizes: 1-5; Special skin protectant on liner: petrolatum

Breathable airflow covers; Super dry core; Ultrathin design
Huggies Supreme $725 Sizes: 1-5; Narrow middle; Soft stretchy leg guards;

Concentrated core
Huggies Ultrathin $575 Sizes 1-6; breathable outer cover; superabsorbant core
Publix Supreme $575 Imitation supremes; Muppet babies on diaper
Publix Regular $416 Least Expensive
*Based on 7 diapers a day

Older Children:  Pull-ups and “training pants” are available.  Also available are diapers called swimmers that are waterproof on the outside so that children can go into swimming pools without fear of spillage.

Summary and Conclusion: There are many different diapers with different costs.  In general, the most absorbent diapers are the most expensive.  When seeing children with diaper rashes, the pediatrician must ask what type of diaper the child is using and be familiar with the above chart.  More children will be sensitive when using the less expensive diapers.  Parents should always be instructed to change the diapers frequently.

Updated 8/01

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
 Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D.,  jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004