Currently, Huggies is one of the most renowned global baby care brands. The company is so famous for its disposable baby diapers, that nowadays the word Huggies has become synonymous with diapers. Parents often go to the store and ask for Huggies instead of diapers.
Now, the crucial question arises as to whether Huggies diapers are worth their name and fame.
Huggies diapers are not made up of toxic substances and are safe for your baby. But, like most things in life, diapers should be used in moderation; only when absolutely necessary. The absence of hazardous chemicals in the diapers does not warrant their excessive use.
Huggies diapers can still cause allergic reactions to the sensitive baby skin and lead to redness, irritation, and rashes. Moreover, disposable diapers like Huggies constitute one of the major non-biodegradable wastes which can take almost half a millennium to decompose.
Table of Contents
What are Huggies diapers made of?
Huggies diapers are made up of a total of three layers – the top sheet or the inner lining of the diaper, absorbent padding, and the bottom sheet or the outer lining of the diaper.
Now, the inner and outer linings of the Huggies diapers are made of polypropylene and polyethylene. These two synthetic materials ensure a better fit of the diapers and help prevent any leaks.
The absorbent padding, the main component of the diapers, consists of a super-absorbent material called sodium polyacrylate, and other materials like wood cellulose fiber, polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene.
The waistband and leg elastics of Huggies diapers are made up of polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, and synthetic rubber elastics.
What do Huggies diapers look like?
Huggies diapers look like big white cushiony underpants for your baby. There is absorbent padding in the middle. The diaper also comes with an elastic waistband and leg bands to ensure a snug fit for the baby.
What chemicals are in Huggies diapers?
The chemicals present in Huggies diapers are polypropylene and polyethylene. Both of these materials are used in the top and bottom layers of Huggies diapers. Both are varieties of plastic that all humans widely use today.
Neither polypropylene nor polyethylene has been classified as toxic materials. However, since they are plastics and are made up of synthetic substances, one should try to minimize their use as much as possible.
It is advisable for new mothers to use diapers only when necessary as their babies’ soft, gentle skin is very sensitive and should not be exposed to too many artificial chemicals from a young age.
Do Huggies diapers have fiberglass in them?
Presently, no. In 2015, there was an outrage on the internet when some customers of Huggies claimed that shards of glass were found in Huggies diapers.
Following this, Kimberly-Clark, the company that manufactures and markets Huggies diapers, asserted that this claim is false. They affirmed that fiberglass or any kind of glass is not present in the Huggies diapers.
Do Huggies diapers have fragrance?
No, Huggies diapers do not contain any fragrance or scent. As babies have very sensitive skin, they can develop an allergic reaction to certain smells. So, often parents search for fragrance-free diapers.
Do Huggies diapers have latex?
No, Huggies diapers do not contain latex. For making the elastic waistbands or leg bands of the diapers, synthetic rubber is used, instead of natural rubber latex. This ensures a comfortable but gentle fit of the diapers for the babies.
Do Huggies diapers contain chlorine?
No, Huggies diapers do not contain pure chlorine. The disposable diapers use the elemental chlorine-free bleaching (ECF) method to bleach the pulp that forms the main absorbing element of the diapers.
This form of bleaching is safer than the one where pure chlorine is used.
Do Huggies nappies contain formaldehyde?
No, Huggies diapers do not contain formaldehyde. A known carcinogen, formaldehyde, is absent from Huggies nappies to ensure the safety of your baby.
Are Huggies diapers biodegradable?
No, Huggies diapers, like most other generic diapers, are not biodegradable. As Huggies diapers are mostly made of different varieties of plastic like polyethylene and polypropylene, they are non-biodegradable.
One Huggies diaper can take nearly 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Some statistics on the internet state that a baby can require almost 7000 diapers before potty training. And then, there are so many babies in the world.
Biodegradable diapers are the need of the hour.
Are Huggies diapers hypoallergenic?
Yes. Huggies has created a special type of hypoallergenic diapers named Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Diapers for babies with very sensitive skin. These diapers are free of artificial fragrances, latex, parabens, and lotions.
Huggies Hypoallergenic Diapers are sustainably sourced from plant-based materials.
Can babies be allergic to Huggies diapers? Can Huggies diapers cause a rash?
Yes. Babies can develop a diaper rash, which is basically an allergic reaction to wearing the same diaper for a long time. Diaper rash is a common condition that ails many babies. It happens when the baby’s sensitive skin stays in contact with urine or stool for a long time.
This reaction is however due to contact with the acidic content of urine and has not got anything to do with the diaper itself.
Huggies recommends changing diapers every 2-3 hours during the day and once at night. Aeration is very important to prevent rashes. So, allowing the baby’s skin to dry before putting on another diaper is very important.
Petroleum jelly can be a good option to massage on the baby’s tushy to prevent the urine and stool from sticking to the skin and starting off a rash.
After removing the diaper, use an irritant-free wet wipe to gently pat and cleanse the baby’s bottom.
If your baby does end up with a rash, you can use any over-the-counter Zinc Oxide ointment to alleviate these symptoms.
Do Huggies diapers have an expiry date?
No, Huggies diapers do not have an expiration date or a shelf life. This applies to both opened and unopened diapers. There are a couple of things that you have to keep in mind about diapers that are quite old.
They tend to get discolored, the elastic parts of the diapers lose their elasticity and so don’t have a snug fit anymore. The absorbent capacity of the diapers may also reduce. An old diaper is not harmful to use in any sense of the term. Just that its effectiveness might be a bit compromised.
Worrying about when to understand if a diaper is old? Well, for plastic diapers with elastic waistbands like Huggies, make it a point to use them up before the one-year mark from the date of manufacture.
Are Huggies nappies vegan?
No. And here is why.
For a brand to be certified vegan, they should not test their products on animals and also not use any animal-derived substances in their products.
Although none of the materials used in Huggies diapers are sourced from animals, Huggies does test its raw materials on animals. So while the diapers themselves are not tested on the animals, it may be improper to call Huggies a vegan brand.
References:
- https://www.huggies.co.in/en-in/products
- https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/the-best-disposable-diapers-for-babies-toddlers-and-the-environment#Quick-look-at-the-best-disposable-diapers
- Does Glossier Skincare Have Fragrance? - October 21, 2022
- Is Aveeno Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
- Is Acure Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
