No time to read? No problem! In my comparison of Pampers Swaddlers vs Pampers Baby Dry vs Pampers Pure one diaper range stood out from the rest. That is Pampers Pure. I say this because these diapers come in an assortment of sizes, have all of the features you need and are incredibly environmentally friendly.
Many parents know straight away that Pampers diapers are the diapers for them thanks to the brand’s incredible reputation. But further than knowing which brand they’re going with, few parents know which diaper range to opt for. Today I’ll be comparing the three types to help you pick the right option. Balint to the rescue!
Picking the Right Pampers – a Trio of Product Lines Compared
To help you pick the right Pampers product I’ve put together this short yet informative guide. In it, you’ll find information about the brand, the differences between the different diapers, and how to go about picking the right range of diapers for your needs. In the spirit of education and transparency, I’ll even be letting you know about alternative brands just in case you aren’t buying what Pampers is selling. Let’s take a closer look and find out what all the fuss is about, shall we?
Firstly, Why Pampers?
Pampers is the brainchild of Vic Mills, a grandfather who was frustrated with the lack of diaper options available on the market. The American brand has been around since 1961, so it’s safe to say that the Pampers team knows a thing or two about making diapers. In this time it has amassed an extremely loyal fanbase by catering to the needs of parents all over the world. It is a subsidiary of Proctor and Gamble, the company for which Vic Mills worked. Today, Pampers is an industry-leading brand that produces diapers, baby wipes, training pants, and swimming diapers. Pampers diapers are and have always been premium diapers that are of the highest possible quality. It’s no wonder why the brand is the first choice for many a parent.
The Differences Between Swaddlers, Baby Dry and Pure
Now it’s time to take a look at what makes Pampers diapers so special. Spoiler alert: all three diaper ranges are great by the modern-day parents’ standards. But that doesn’t mean that they were created equal. I’m going to fill you in on the differences between three of the brand’s bestselling diaper ranges.
Absorption Technology
What good is a diaper if it isn’t absorbent? The answer is not a very good diaper at all! While all three diapers boast 12 hour protection, they do so in different ways by using different absorption technology. Pampers Baby Dry offers 3 layers of absorbency while Pampers Pure and Pampers Swaddlers both make use of Absorb Away Liners.
Fragrance
Pampers Pure diapers are completely and utterly fragrance-free. On the other hand, Baby Dry and Swaddlers are both scented with many parents saying that they smell just like baby powder. While this may be a deal-breaker for some parents, the brand claims that the fragrance is used in such low levels that it is non-allergenic and non-irritating.
Designs
Pampers Swaddlers come in a muted subtle design while Pampers Baby Dry diapers are Sesame Street themed. But Pampers Pure undoubtedly wins on the design front! Each pack comes with a variety of prints that change according to the size you buy. To give you an example of the design styles the newborn diapers feature otters, sloths, clothing pegs, and xo graphics while its size 4 comes with speech bubbles, shapes, llamas, and smiling faces.
Price
It’s important to remember that all three options are on the premium side of the diaper scale and their pricing is a reflection of this fact. After all, you get what you pay for and you’re paying for products that proudly display the Pampers logo. However, there is a difference in price between each of the three product lines. While Swaddlers and Pampers Pure are considered to be rather expensive, Baby Dry’s are actually inexpensive and can fit into most parents’ budgets.
Ingredients
And finally – not to mention most importantly for many – we have the ingredients list. These days parents have a right to know exactly what is in the products they use and I must admit that Pampers is extremely transparent when it comes to its list of ingredients. The brand itself breaks down its ingredients by section of the diaper and so I will do the same. I’ve also taken the liberty to explain each section in layman terms in case you aren’t familiar with the anatomy of a baby diaper.
Topsheet
Ever wondered what the part of the diaper that comes into direct contact with your baby’s skin is called? That would be the topsheet. Swaddlers‘ and Baby Dry’s topsheets are made from polypropylene nonwoven while Pampers Pure diapers are made with plant-based ingredients and polypropylene fibers.
Leg Cuffs
The leg cuffs found on all three types of diapers are all made from polypropylene nonwoven and spandex. This is the part of the diaper that wraps around the legs and bottom of the baby.
Absorbent Core
As the name implies, the absorbent core is the part of the diaper that absorbs liquid – essentially this is the section that makes a diaper a diaper. This part is found in the diaper’s inner-most layer. All Pampers diaper ranges use a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) known as polyacrylate polymer.
Absorbent Fluff Pulp
The fluff pulp is the raw material that makes the absorbent core what it is. Baby Dry and Swaddlers have a fluff pulp that is derived from wood. The Pampers Pure fluff pulp is also made from wood-derived pulp except it is explicitly described by Smart Label as “totally chlorine-free” whereas the other two aren’t.
Acquisition Layer
The acquisition layer of a diaper is located directly underneath the topsheet. The purpose of this layer is to seamlessly transport liquid away from the baby’s skin and towards the core of the diaper instead. All of the Pampers products listed today have a polyester acquisition layer that absorbs and contains your baby’s waste.
Absorbent Fabrics
All three use polypropylene nonwoven as their absorbent fabrics. This fabric helps the diaper retain its shape and prevent leakage from occurring.
Adhesives
Each of the Pampers diapers discussed make use of thermoplastic polymers to keep the diaper in one piece – and to make sure its contents remain inside the diaper.
Fastening System
To make sure Baby Dry and Pampers Pure diapers hold their own and fit your baby properly a polypropylene and stretch film fastening system is used. In Swaddlers a combination of dispose tape and polypropylene is used for the same reasons but with the added benefit of easy disposal.
Topsheet Lotion
The topsheet lotion of Baby Dry and Swaddlers consists of petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbedensis leaf extract. No topsheet lotion ingredients are listed for Pampers Pure and it is unclear whether the brand hasn’t published this information yet or if the diapers lack this component. The purpose of topsheet lotion is to act as both a skin conditioner as well as a barrier. It keeps your baby’s skin dry while also making sure it is nourished.
How to Pick the Right Pampers Product
In the past, I’ve compared Pampers to Huggies and Luvs but I’ve never compared products within the Pampers product lines against one another. Until today, that is. The key to picking the right Pampers products for your needs lies first and foremost in knowing what those needs are. Some needs are easier to meet than others. For example, if your baby is born prematurely then picking Pampers Swaddlers is a no-brainer since this is the only range that offers preemie sizes. But other instances aren’t as obvious. For example, which range should you opt for if your baby has sensitive skin? Or if your little one is a wiggling worm when he or she is sleeping? As you can see, it’s not always a simple process of picking the right diaper option. That’s why reviews like the one you’re reading right now can be extremely helpful.
Alternative Options
Sure, Pampers is a dominant brand in the diaper market but it isn’t your only option by any means. If you’re looking for a diaper brand that is on par with – if not better for certain instances – Huggies is your best bet. If you’re on a tight budget then you have brands such as Luvs, Target’s own Up & Up brand and even Walmart’s own Parent’s Choice diapers. And if you’re looking for green diaper brands then you have options such as those offered by Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company, Earth’s Best Organic, and Andy Pandy. And don’t even get me started on cloth diapers otherwise I’ll be writing this all day!
Product Reviews
Pampers Swaddlers
These are the top choice for a large number of parents simply because they are so well known. These diapers are available in sizes preemie up to 3 which means that your baby can wear them from when they weigh a mere pound until they are weighing between 14lbs to 33lbs. The product is so popular because it offers 12-hour protection, has Air Channel technology, and has a blanket-like feel thanks to its Heart Quilts technology. Both the newborn and preemie diapers have umbilical cord cutouts so you don’t need to worry about infection. These diapers aren’t themed but do come in cute, subtle designs.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Wetness indicator
- Incredibly soft
Cons
- Problem with fake Swaddlers in circulation
- Limited size options
- More expensive than other options
Pampers Baby Dry
This is another incredibly popular diaper option that is available in sizes 1 all the way up to size 6. This means that these diapers can accommodate babies from when they reach 8lbs in weight all the way up to when they tip the scales to 35lbs+.
These soft diapers manage to lock away wetness by means of the 3 Extra Absorb Channels featured in its design and guarantee that your baby will be dry for up to 12 hours. To make sure they are extra gentle on your baby’s skin the diapers’ ingredients feature petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis leaf extract. They are stretchy, soft, and come in an assortment of Sesame Street designs that your little one will love.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Provides overnight protection
- Fun toddler-friendly design options
- An assortment of sizes available
Cons
- Slightly fragranced (mild baby powder scent)
- No wetness indicator from size 2 onwards
Pampers Pure
This product range was released in March of 2018 and is the brand’s latest diaper offering. It comes in sizes newborn through to size 6 and much like the product above this means that your baby can wear this range from 8lbs until they weigh 35lbs+.
They are great for babies with extra delicate and sensitive skin as they are free from fragrance and paraben and have no latex or chlorine bleaching. They are made with premium USA-grown cotton and plant-based materials. These diapers are as green as can be: they’re produced with 100% renewable electricity, the bag or box they come in is made with 33% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable and none of their production waste contributes to the ever-growing landfill problem.
Topping it all off is its modern, minimalistic design options that the stylish (or Instagram obsessed!) parent is bound to appreciate. It’s a diaper that I consider most similar to the Swaddlers.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Wetness indicator
- Environmentally friendly
- An assortment of sizes available
- Variety of design options
Cons
- Issues with tabs falling off are common
- Tendency to leak
- More expensive than other options
FAQ
Are Pampers Pure good for overnight?
In theory, yes. In real life? Not so much. While they are supposed to offer leak protection for up to 12 hours, many parents have reported issues of leakage occurring in less time than that. Depending on his or her age, I’d recommend leaving your baby in a diaper for no more than 3 hours – as per the American Pregnancy Association’s guidelines.
Which Pampers is best for newborns?
The general consensus is that Pampers Swaddlers are as good as they get for newborns which is why they are the hospital’s diaper choice. However, if you are an eco-conscious parent or if your baby has extremely sensitive skin then you should opt for Pampers Pure.
Are all of the ingredients in Pampers safe for babies?
Yes, the ingredients found in all Pampers diapers are certified safe. The Pampers team is comprised of safety experts, pediatricians, and pediatric dermatologists to make sure of this.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that different diapers work for different babies and finding the perfect diaper for you and your little one isn’t always a one size fits all situation. There’s also no denying that Pampers is an incredible brand that has worked hard to earn its reputation over the years. All of the diapers I’ve introduced you to today are fantastic options that will serve your little one well, but the Pampers Pure diapers appeal to me because of how green they are. However, if you’re not too concerned about your environmental footprint, Pampers Swaddlers are the next best thing in my eyes.
In case you’re looking for a dedicated diaper for the night, you might want to consider Pampers Swaddlers Overnight versus Baby Dry, which I wrote about in a separate article.
Last update on 2024-11-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thank you for this. Have been wondering bout their differences for some time. They all fit differently too. For our son, who has thicker thighs, we have to go up with Pampers Pure but prefer it over Baby Dry because they broke him out every time we put those on him. Saddlers are the goldilock between the three types as size and fit seems to suit him. I really like the breakdown to help with better understanding of the layers too. We like Huggies but they get soaked quickly and look like he’s been wearing them all day after just 2 hours. We are 1st time parents as well so it helps to get some knowledge and perspective from others. Wishing you and yours the best. Stay safe!
Hi Kimora, thanks very much for your detailed feedback. Thanks for providing this useful summary of your experiences so that you’re helping other parents in the selection. I also like Huggies incl Huggies Plus, but its absorbancy is much different than that of Pampers’.