As you approach parenthood (whether it is your first time or not), there are lots of things that you need to learn and master. Feeding, burping, bathing, and then there’s the diaper change!
As a mom, it seems to become a normal part of the job when you casually sniff or feel your baby’s butt from time to time, but if you have been there you will know that this isn’t a wise thing to do, especially if you get caught out.
Now there is something that is on the market that could be a game-changer for us all- wetness indicators like Pampers blue line: How do wetness indicators work?
In this article
What Is A Wetness Indicator?
The wetness indicator is usually a yellow line that runs along the outside of the diaper and alerts the parent that the diaper is wet by changing to a blue color. This is a sign that the diaper is at the maximum absorbent capacity and a change is needed.
So, what is the chemistry behind this magical invention?
The wetness indicators are a chemical called Bromophenol Blue. Once a liquid comes into contact with it whether it is acidic or alkali it will change from its usual color, from yellow to blue.
Babies’ urine tends to be slightly alkali making this a very effective hack for parents, taking all the guesswork out of diaper changes.
What Diapers Offer The Wetness Indicator?
There are many brands that have cottoned on to the effectiveness of the wetness indicator and that it is a feature that us parents actually like. We are going to put Pampers Blue line diapers under the microscope and truly look at whether they are as effective as they sound.
Why Pampers?
Pampers diapers have been around for years so it is only natural to believe that during that time they have learned and made their product one of the most popular and leading brands amongst us moms.
They boast to have the most durable and softest material to protect your baby’s most sensitive areas, this barrier protects their skin from nappy rash and irritation.
This is only one of the many features of Pampers diapers and of course, they have the magical wetness indicator we spoke about, they have extra elasticity so you have no sneaky leaks or poop explosion emergencies. If that is not enough they also hold the horrid smell of poop and urine without stinking out the room!
Pampers diapers are known for being hypoallergenic meaning that they are safe to use on your baby’s delicate skin. They will not cause diaper rash or skin irritation and this is an important feature for parents.
Pampers are well known for their hypoallergenic qualities. As parents, we often worry about the things our baby can and cannot eat, what laundry detergent to use but now you can use a diaper without worry!
Are Pampers The Best Diapers Around?
As with anything in parenthood, there are always brands that compete with each other. Some may have features that others do not, some may be cheaper but when it comes down to diapers what are the real telltale signs that show us Pampers are the best?
Many brands have been around for years each one making their product the ‘best’ around but if we look closely we can see that there may be clear differences that make us choose Pampers over any other.
- Pampers tend to be better for younger babies, with good fitting technology this may be your go-to diaper to prevent any little leaks.
- Pampers use materials that are known to be softer on a baby’s skin which may be your deal-breaker.
- On the other hand, Pampers are slightly more expensive than the other leading brand but you get what you pay for right?
- The tabs on Pampers are a part of the design so one pull makes this diaper easier and fits more securely.
- When choosing a diaper many of us are attracted by the cute design and characters they may have but the underlining factor here has to be absorbency! Pampers are known to win hands down in this area.
- They have a hypoallergenic breathable lining with compounds that pull the wetness away from your baby’s skin allowing them to stay dry and protected. Combine this with the wetness indicator and it seems you may have found your preferred diaper!
Other Brands That Feature A Wetness Indicator
Pampers is not the only brand that features a wetness indicator, there are many others available too. Brands such as:
- Babyganics
- Bambo Nature
- Huggies Little Snugglers
- Huggies Little Movers
- Huggies Snug & Dry
- Kirkland Signature
- Luvs
- Mama Bear
- Parent’s Choice
- Up & Up
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FAQs
Does blue line mean wet diaper?
Pampers has a vertical blue line that shows outside the diaper. Whenever your baby wets themselves, the line will change color. This blue line is referred to as the wetness indicator.
Does Pampers Baby Dry have wetness indicators?
All sizes of Pampers Baby Dry and Swaddlers have wetness indicators. The Baby Dry model did use to only have the indicator on sizes newborn, 1, and 2. But now it is a feature found on all sizes.
What color do diapers change when wet?
This varies across different brands. For example, Pampers Swaddlers wetness indicator changes from yellow to blue/green when wet. Huggies wetness indicator changes from yellow to bright blue when wet.
What does the yellow vertical line on a diaper mean?
The yellow line that you can see on the outside of a diaper is in fact the wetness indicator. This then changes to different colors indicating that the diaper is wet and needs to be changed. The color change varies from brand to brand.
Pampers wetness indicator not working
Occasionally the wetness indicator on your Pampers diaper does not change color as it should, even though your baby has wet their diaper. This can happen for a few different reasons:
- Your baby may not have peed enough to turn the yellow line to blue.
- The indicator can dry out on hot days and go back to yellow.
- If the pee does not hit the front of the diaper directly, the line may not change at all. This is very common with male babies.
The Final Thought
Now as a mom myself I am aware that there are so many brands boasting that they are the best, and most of them come with a wetness indicator nowadays. But there is no invention that can replace your common sense!
Many times I have switched brands and found with them all that when my daughter clearly needed a diaper change and the wetness indicator was hardly blue at all. This can usually happen because if the indicator does not have direct moisture, the chemical will not turn blue!
I also found that even when the indicator was blue the nappy didn’t feel that wet, in this case, I waited a little longer until I was sure a diaper change was necessary.
It is daunting becoming a parent whether it is for the first time or not.
You just need to remember that regardless of whether the wetness indicator has turned blue or not, it still is your choice whether you change the diaper, it is only an indicator of moisture after all!
If you would like to compare some other brands of diapers such as Kirkland vs Huggies or Luvs vs Pampers check out our other reviews.
