# Disposable diapers - is there much of a difference between brands? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974 "2018-03-21T17:23:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/1 "2018-03-21T17:23:43Z")
My first grandchild is due in about 3 weeks. My daughter said she doesn’t have a preferred brand, but she’s received several different ones as shower gifts. I haven’t shopped for them in over 30 years, but I know we’ve got some relatively new parents and grandparents on the boards, so I thought I’d ask. Do you find any one brand better than others? Are there any brands to avoid? When they say 10-12#, is it true that all they’ll hold??? :D:D:D OK, sorry, I stole that line. But seriously, what’s the deal with diapers? ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/2 "2018-03-21T17:34:02Z")
Keeping in mind that it’s been about 2 years since I last changed a diaper… We found Pampers to be superior to Luvs and Huggies, in terms of how they fit on our babies, and number/severity of leak incidents. (which WILL happen, regardless of brand, from time to time.) I think it might depend on the shape of your individual baby, but ours were all pampers-shaped. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/3 "2018-03-21T17:44:09Z")
I don’t think we saw a lot of difference in the diapers but then you can sort of pull them to fit since you’re doing the straps. On the other hand, we found Huggies Pull-Ups to be the best fitting and most leak proof. And my kid was in pull-ups for a long time so I can claim a lot of experience there. For wipes, nothing beat the Target basic store brand in the blue packages. Relatively inexpensive, durable, moist and non-irritating. Edit: As an addendum to my diapers remark, I’m talking about the major name brands. The cheap ones work like they’re cheap ones. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/4 "2018-03-21T17:45:27Z")
I also should have asked if anyone has found a difference between boys and girls for diapers. Ours will be a girl. Dare I ask what shape is pampers-shaped? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/5 "2018-03-21T17:47:19Z")
Name brands over store brands then… I haven’t priced any yet - hope there’s not too much sticker shock! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/6 "2018-03-21T17:49:32Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Name brands over store brands then… I haven’t priced any yet - hope there’s not too much sticker shock! Your daughter will feel as though she had a minor windfall when the child is potty trained. Plus, the older the child, the less diapers come per pack although the cost is the same. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/7 "2018-03-21T17:57:33Z")
IME the quality of your diapers matters a lot more if your baby tends to have loose stools. With my tot, this changed over time and now he tends to have relatively dry poops that any diaper can handle. IMO Pampers are nicest but also the most expensive. The Huggies Little Snugglers / Little Movers are good and maybe the best value. The Huggies “Snug n Dry” are cheaper and not as good if you have a lot of soft poop to worry about. IME generic diapers are not worth the modest savings over the Snug n Dry. I believe all of the above are superior to the plastic-y disposables from 20-30 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/8 "2018-03-21T17:59:57Z")
For the first three years of a Baby’s life a Costco membership will pay for itself. Wipes, formula and diapers. The only “bad” diapers we used were cheap 4 packs from the gas station in an emergency. They still worked fine, but felt thin and cheap and I wouldn’t trust them when it really counts. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/9 "2018-03-21T18:00:00Z")
The number of blowouts that Luvs didn’t contain was worth the price savings, in our experience. Pampers have a particular scent to them–sort of like Jelly Belly’s buttered popcorn flavor–that I came to associate with my daughter’s very first days, when we were using the pack of Pampers the hospital sent home with us. After that, Luvs all the way, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/10 "2018-03-21T18:07:27Z")
I think that Huggies and Pampers were fairly close in quality and that which one you choose may depend on how they fit the kiddo and she grows. If I recall correctly, one of my two did better with one brand later on than the other. At the start, Pampers was just fine. Keep an extra pack of the next largest size around, because the darn things grow. Follow **Swampbear** ’s toilet paper rule. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/11 "2018-03-21T18:10:44Z")
Congratulation by the way!!! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/12 "2018-03-21T18:15:34Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > For the first three years of a Baby’s life a Costco membership will pay for itself. Wipes, formula and diapers. Costco is about 30 miles away - I don’t see that happening. We do have a BJs about 15 miles from us - it might be worth at least looking there. WalMart and FoodLion are the most likely sources of supply. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/13 "2018-03-21T18:27:19Z")
I agree with the others who say it’s about the fit. For whatever reason, Huggies fit the Sprout better than Pampers, so we used those. With regard to Costco being 30 miles away - I encourage your daughter to look into having diapers shipped (from wherever makes sense for them). If I had a baby now, I would totally do that and avoid dealing with bulky boxes and such. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/14 "2018-03-21T18:45:33Z")
My daughter in law swore by luvs. Cheaper and quality enough for the savings. The pamper smell turns my stomach. My daughter used cloth diapers, she is kinda SJW-ish. I certainly didn’t envy her laundry days. When they came to visit I bought luvs to use here. She didn’t like it, but gave in, cause Nana is always right ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/15 "2018-03-21T19:29:29Z")
Yes some diapers are better than others. But it’s especially apparent in baby wipes - Kirkland is greatly superior to the Walmart brand. I’m not saying you need to make the trip out to Costco, but definitely find a brand that you like in a non-warehouse store or BJ’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/16 "2018-03-21T19:33:47Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Costco is about 30 miles away - I don’t see that happening. We do have a BJs about 15 miles from us - it might be worth at least looking there. > > WalMart and FoodLion are the most likely sources of supply. You can also buy a subscription on Amazon to have them delivered weekly or monthly, etc for a slightly lower “Subscribe & Save” price. I did that for a while before mine was trained and, although it didn’t stop every necessary run to the store, it sure helped keep the pressure off. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/17 "2018-03-21T20:15:15Z")
First kid (boy) started in Pampers then moved to Luvs because he liked the logo. Second kid (girl) got store-brand diapers. No discernible difference, in my view. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/18 "2018-03-21T20:19:46Z")
I never did notice a different in quality between Pampers and Huggies. I’ll tell you this, though; the generic brand diapers were shittier than their cargo. Not at all worth the savings. ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/19 "2018-03-21T20:25:03Z")
My boy just potty trained last month, I’m going to go against the general opinion, Pampers were no good & leaked more than store brand (Mamia at Aldi) the cheap 12h ones do last overnight too as long as there’s no poonamis ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974/20 "2018-03-21T20:53:54Z")
My daughter, SIL, and the baby will be living with us for a while - they’re moving here from Orlando and until they have jobs and their own place, we’ll be roomies. With 4 adults in the household, someone will always be available to go get diapers, and I’m one for keeping plenty of non-perishables on hand (witness my TP stash), so I’m not worried about keeping them in stock. But I was looking at the subscription delivery services for the convenience. The comments about the scent of Pampers is significant to me - I HATE HATE HATE scented products with a passionate passion!! That alone makes me not want to buy them. But it’s not my call - I’m just the grandmother. 😃 I do appreciate all the comments - I’ll share them with my daughter, since she’s the one who asked me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposable-diapers-is-there-much-of-a-difference-between-brands/810974.md?page=2)