Huggies now has diapers for prematurely born babies.
Called Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers, the diapers are specially designed for babies weighing less than 2 pounds, particularly made to protect delicate skin while promoting healthy development and growth in preemies.
Filling A Need
Diapers for babies are numerous, but with fewer than 1.4 percent of babies born as preemies weighing below 2 pounds, there is a severe lack of options for the fragile population. Huggies responded to this need by working with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses and neonatal therapists, using input from experts to develop the Little Snugglers diapers.
"We're passionate about helping all babies thrive, especially the smallest and most fragile," said Eleonora Daireaux, Huggies North America vice president, adding the new diaper reflects the brand's ongoing commitment of delivering innovative NICU solutions.
From concept to launch, the Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers only took six months, as the brand's research, skin science, manufacturing, and product safety experts strove to address the need at the soonest time possible.
Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers
Huggies' new diaper features a narrow absorbent pad and is fitted with gentle, specially sized fasteners to offer a flexible fit that will offer comfort when preemies are in a fetal tuck position where their legs and arms are placed close to their bodies. Gentle leg gathers and a soft, smooth liner were also added for leak protection that doesn't irritate fragile and underdeveloped skin.
According to infant development specialist Anjanette Lee from Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, one of nine NICUs where Huggies' new diaper was tested, the Little Snugglers conformed to babies' bottoms without gaps and limiting movement in the babies' legs. She added that less material at the waist and thinner fasteners used were effective in providing a good fit while also protecting the babies' fragile skin.
To ensure quality, Huggies has every diaper go through a rigorous inspection process that includes a 40-point hand inspection before being individually folded and then hand-packed for distribution.
No Baby Unhugged
The Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diaper is part of Huggies' No Baby Unhugged program established to make sure that all babies receive the hugs they require to thrive. According to research, hugs don't only ease stress but can also help improve sleep, keep heart beats at a normal rate, and promote healthy weight gain in babies.
For every signup Huggies receives under the No Baby Unhugged program, the brand donates $5 to volunteer hugging efforts. By funding volunteer hugging programs in hospitals, Huggies is helping ensure that the 380,000 preemies born in the United States every year, alongside all other newborns, get enough human contact for their well-being.
"When babies have a longer stay in the NICU and parents unfortunately can't be there all of the time, our NICU volunteers are able to step in and help provide this crucial interaction," said Rebecca Meyers, Lurie Children's Hospital child life manager.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago was the first hospital to receive a grant from Huggies under the No Baby Unhugged program.
