Diaper Diaries: Luvin’ the Luvs

A couple of months ago, I received in the mail a sample of a Luvs diaper, in size 4. Bridget was nowhere near a size 4 at the time and we were devoted Pampers users around here but for some reason I stuck it in the drawer of her changing table just in case.

Then I started reading about how Swistle uses Target brand diapers and they work for her. And lordy, she’s got five kids, including twins and a new baby all in diapers, so she should know what works. So I bought a package or two. I’m not in love with them - I think they feel very plastic-y and I do have problems with them leaking overnight. For daytime use, they are acceptable and certainly cheap. But keeping up with the two kinds was getting ridiculous so I just bailed on the Target brand and went back to being bent over by Pampers.

The day we left for Tulsa, as we were gearing up to pull out of the driveway, I decided that one last diaper change was probably a good idea so that I could avoid changing a diaper in a nasty public bathroom on the way. The car was waaaaaay too full to have even allowed me to change her in the car as I sometimes do, plus it was cold. But silly me, I had packed all her diapers in her bag, which was tightly wedged under a pile of presents and assorted crap that you must bring when you travel with a baby. The only diaper in the house, literally, was the Luvs sample, in a size 4. I checked the size range (starting at 22 pounds; Bridget is probably right at 20 pounds now) and decided we could make it work so I slapped it on her, and strapped her in the car.

And that thing worked like a champ! She had probably two full cups on the drive and when we got to the hotel four and half hours later, I changed her and it was heavy, no doubt, but nowhere close to capacity. I was very impressed.

As I worked my way through the rest of the Pampers we had, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a whole package of Luvs and see if my luck held out. Plus I had a coupon for a dollar off. And they have been a dream. You know that commercial for Luvs that goes something like “Live and learn, and then get Luvs”? So true. I’m a convert now. I can’t see going back to the Pampers. These are cheaper (not a HUGE margin but still, cheaper is cheaper) and nary a leak in sight which I surely can’t say about Pampers. I just placed an order online for her next box of diapers so I’m committed now. Although I would like to try one of the more eco-friendly brands. Not the kind you have to dump the pad out of, although as she’s older that probably is not as disgusting as it once seemed to me, back when she was strictly breastfed.

The problem is that diaper makers are greedy and stupid. What they should do is sell sample packs of ten diapers so we can try them. Especially if they want to compete with Pampers who I am convinced owns the diaper market. If you want me to switch brands, make it cost effective for me to try yours. I’m not going to shell out the money for a pack of 40 diapers that I might hate and throw away. One diaper in the mail is not enough to know. I want to see a whole day’s worth of results. In this case, I took a leap of faith but I chalk it up to Christmas and being on a chocolate high. Had I been in my right mind, I never would have done that.

So there you have it. If you were looking for assurance that you need not bow at the altar of Pampers, I’m here for you. You are a smart, independent, capable mom, and you can get away.

UPDATE: I just had a brilliant idea for a baby shower gift. Could be expensive if you really go all out, but a sampler of diapers! That way the new parents can try the brands and make the decision having tried them all.  Put ‘em all in there - Pampers, Luvs, Huggies, store brands, eco-friendly brands….. I’m a freaking genius, I tell you. Now, could one of my friends get pregnant please so I can try this out? Oh wait, Sarah is pregnant. Sarah, do you want a massive box of all the diapers available? ‘Cause I’m just the girl to put it together for you.

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