At Asda we’re really proud of our little angels nappies and know that millions of parents trust them to keep their little angels dry. We also know that finding the right nappy is really important – and that sometimes parents can have questions about our products. That’s why our Technical Director, Darina Hall teamed up with Dr Hillary Jones to answer some of the most common questions about nappies and babies bottoms!
General
How are Little Angels nappies made?
Darina Hall - We take great care to make sure our nappies are just right for your little angel! They are made from a combination of materials that are all commonly used in nappies and rigorously tested for quality.
There is a huge amount of science behind making a great nappy – but in a nutshell, they are made out of five key parts – the most important being the ‘super absorbent polymer’ that keeps your baby dry. This polymer is mixed with super soft ‘pulp and applied to the central core of the nappy. Then, soft leg cuffs back elastic and fastening tabs are added to keep the nappy snug and leak free.
If you’d like to read more about the process for making and testing our nappies, I’ve written a blog outlining the process here.
How much liquid can they hold?
Darina Hall - The super absorbent polymer beads in our nappies turn to gel when they absorb moisture and are capable of retaining nearly 30 times their own weight. Whilst it will always depend on an individual child (and how much they wee!) each Little Angels nappy can keep baby comfortable, protected for up to 12 hours of dryness.
Your nappies are quite thin. How can they be as absorbent?
Darina Hall - Traditionally, nappies ‘bulk up’ quite considerably when wet. Most parents will recognise the tell tale sign of a nappy sagging, which which can restrict ababy’s ability to move freely.
We wanted to create a nappy that eliminated the saggy bottom and allow babies to move freely! Therefore, we’ve invested in the latest nappy technology that ensures nappies still have the same absorbency power but without the bulk!
What do the + sizes mean? Are they bigger?
Darina Hall - Our + size nappies are no bigger, they simply offer more more absorption than the same size nappy in the range, making them suitable for your baby to wear through the night – or for babies who like to drink a lot!
How do I know if my baby is in the right size nappy?
Darina Hall – We understand that having a baby can seem quite daunting at times. But don’t worry, we’ve developed our range of Little Angels nappies to make each step in your child’s development that little bit easier.
We know that, in order to get the most out of your baby’s nappy and to prevent leaks from happening, it’s important that you choose the right size. There are a number of ways to ensure you have the right size nappy for your baby. Run your finger around the waist and leg cuffs to straighten out any wrinkles, for example.
Moving up a nappy size sometimes catches parents by surprise and if baby isn’t in the right size nappy, it can cause leaks. Each Little Angels nappy has a colour coded-size band on the waist. This helps parents know when it might be time for their baby to move up a size and gives extra peace of mind.
If the nappy size is just right, the tabs will fasten comfortably in the coloured area. If you need to move up a size, the tabs start to move to the white area.
I’ve read some scary stories about nappies burning babies and containing lumps and other objects – how do you test them for safety?
Darina Hall – All the materials in our nappies are dermatogically tested and deemed safe to use on skin. Our nappies are made and packaged in a closed environment – so parents can have confidence that they are getting a great nappy that is entirely safe to use. Occasionally we receive complaints about a ‘hard’ substance being found in a nappy. Our investigations have found that this is a result of the ‘super absorbent’ polymer that makes our nappies so effective ‘clumps up’ in the manufacturing process. Whilst it’s very rare this happens, parents can be assured that the nappy is entirely safe so they shouldn’t worry. However, no one wants a lumpy nappy so if you happen to experience this, please feel free to return your pack for a refund.
We’re also proud that our Little Angels nappies are the first supermarket brand to have been tested and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance. The SHA appointed a scientific review committee to independently assess the research and development behind the science of Little Angels nappies and First Pants. This committee comprises dermatologists, scientists and skin experts, selected specifically for their expertise in areas of skin health.
Dr Hillary Jones – Having a baby is an exciting but worrying time and I’ve met lots of parents over the years who are worried about rashes on their babies – particularly in the nappy area. Whilst these are often very unpleasant for the baby and worrying for the parent, in all my 30 years of General Practice, I have never found that a nappy has burnt a baby.
Why did you withdraw your little angels nappies and how do you know they are safe to put back on the shelves?
Darina Hall - We take all complaints about our products seriously, but in July 2017 we took the decision to temporarily withdraw our newborn nappies from sale whilst we investigated a particular complaint that was flagged to us.
We carried out a thorough investigation and found there was nothing contained in the nappies that was cause for concern, and so made the decision to return them to our shelves. You can read more about that decision here (link to Lizzy blog)
Why is my baby suffering from nappy rash – and what can I do about it?
Dr Hillary Jones -Up to a third of babies and toddlers in nappies can have nappy rash at any one time. Most forms of nappy rash can be identified by red, sore looking spots and may feel hot to touch. In more severe cases it can resemble a ‘burn’. Whilst this reaction is uncomfortable for babies and worrying for parents, it is very common and treatable.
A baby’s skin is very delicate and so it can react to exposure to wee and poo. Nappy rash can often be more severe in babies with very sensitive skin, for example premature babies – or when they are going through other experiences such as teething, weaning or a course of medication that is impacting on the acidity of their wee and poo. Nappy rash can also be caused by a nappy not fitting right and rubbing against the skin.
To help parents identify nappy rash and offer some hints and tips on how to treat it, I’ve made this short video, which you can watch here
My baby has really sensitive skin – how can I prevent it from being irritated?
Dr Hillary Jones – all babies are born with delicate skin – there is a reason for the saying a soft as a babies bottom! But some babies are more delicate than others and finding products that suit your little one can be tricky. A lot of the time it is down to testing out what products are right for you, but a good rule of thumb is to look for products that state they are dermatologically tested, and avoid products like wipes that contain alcohol that may dry skin out.
As much as bathtime can be fun – babies don’t need to be bathed every day as this can dry their skin out. You can watch a short video on how to bathe your little one safely here.
When it comes to their nappy routine, changing a sensitive bottom regularly can really help to minimise the amount of time the skin is exposed to the natural chemicals in wee and poo. And whilst risky to carpets – letting babies have a little nappy free time each day can be helpful.
Why is my baby’s nappy leaking?
Darina Hall - Little Angels nappies contain super absorbent polymer (SAP) and are regularly tested against the brand leader for absorbency and to ensure maximum comfort and protection for your baby. However, they may very occasionally leak, for a variety of reasons.
Remember that all children are different shapes and sizes.
Please ensure your baby is wearing the right size nappy for his or her weight range. All weight ranges are communicated on the front of our packaging. Our size-up guide – the unique colour-coded waistband on the front of our nappies – will show you if it is time for baby to move up a size.
You should also remember to make sure the nappy is fastened correctly and that the leg cuffs fit snugly around the legs. The leg cuffs and waist elastic at the back of the nappy are the leakage barriers of your child’s nappy, so it is worth checking that they are sitting snuggly against your baby’s skin and they are not wrinkled or folded in any way.
You should be able to put two fingers between your baby’s stomach and the nappy. No more and no less.
Dr Hillary Jones – Babies are little people like us, and there are no hard and fast rules on them. Some will wee a lot, others not so much. A baby boy’s nappy sometimes leaks if it has been fastened with his penis pointing upwards, try directing it downwards as you put his nappy on. As you get to know your baby, you’ll know what works for you but you can watch a short video on my top nappy changing tips here
My baby’s nappy leaks at night. Why is that?
Darina Hall - If you’ve hit the jackpot and your baby sleeps right through the night, or for several hours at a time – the downside of getting some sleep is that you may not get a chance to change their nappy and don’t want to wake them up to do so. If you find yourself having heavier nappies in the morning or they have leaked, you might want to consider all of the points above – or perhaps to go for a + size nappy, which is more absorbent and designed specifically for night time usage. Same dimensions, just more absorbency potential.
Asda Little Angels have a time to change wetness indicator on their newborn range, which enables you to understand if your baby needs changing, without having to wake them.
Do I need to go up to a bigger size to prevent leaking?
Darina Hall - There are several factors which can lead to a nappy leaking. If you think your nappy may be leaking as it doesn’t fit, check the size and weight range. You should be able to put two fingers between your baby’s stomach and the nappy. No more and no less.
With our size-up guide – the unique colour-coded waistband – will show you if it is time for baby to move up a size. If the nappy size is just right, the tabs will fasten comfortably in the coloured area. If you need to move up a size, the tabs start to move to the white area.