Why Less is Better when it Comes to the Absorbency of Diapers

These days, companies who produce disposable diapers are spending more and more money trying to increase the amount of moisture those diapers can absorb. On the surface of things, this might make sense to you; after all, the purpose of the diaper is to keep things in, right? The less times you have to change a diaper in a day the better.

Well, that is not quite the truth, and there are some very good reasons why more absorbency is not a good thing when it comes to the diapers and training pants that we put on our children. In this article, we will take a look at why you might not want to pay the price (or make your baby pay the price) for those convenient disposables.

Any moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria. Many parents make the mistake of thinking that absorbed is essentially the same as "gone". Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. Although the diaper itself may feel dry, the fact is that the moisture from your baby's waste is still present. The longer that waste, including urine, is in the diaper the longer time bacterium has to grow, and moist warm environments mean ideal incubation conditions for most species. A diaper that has absorbed a lot of moisture is fertile ground for many types of bacteria, which can cause health problems for your child.

Wetness assists in abrasion. Again, just because the moisture is absorbed does not mean it is not there. Babies can't have wet conditions around parts that they move frequently, such as their upper thighs. Even moisture that is mostly absorbed will cause the diaper to become larger, and that means less wiggle room for baby. The result? Abrasive injuries, including harsh forms of diaper rash.

It is harder to potty train. Every parent dreams of the day when they no longer have to change a dirty or wet diaper, but those who use absorbent diapers will have to wait longer. Why? Diapers that absorb a lot of urine make your baby or toddler feel dry; that means they don't equate the urge to go with becoming uncomfortable in their pants. If they can't make that connection, they are a lot harder to potty train.

So, when it comes to diapers, more ability to absorb is not always better. Certainly you may want to use an absorbent diaper on a long trip, but when it comes to day-to-day diapering it is far better for your infant to have regular changes, therefore a super absorbent diaper is not necessary.