Expert tips: Remember these points to choose good diapers for your kids

When it comes to shopping, apart from milk powder, diapers are the items that parents pay the most attention to. On May 1, 2022, the national standard gb/t 28004.1-2021 "Diapers - Part 1: Baby Diapers" (hereinafter referred to as the "new standard") was officially implemented. How has the implementation of the standards been in the past year? How should stay-at-home dads and stay-at-home moms choose good products based on the standards? Recently, a reporter from China Consumer News interviewed relevant experts from China Light Industry Paper Products Inspection and Certification Co., Ltd. on this issue.

The new standard covers more comprehensive safety indicators for products, has stricter performance index assessment, and has revised the method for determining permeability performance, further enhancing the applicability of the standard. The expert explained.

01 Understand the permeability performance indicators

Penetration performance is a key indicator of whether a diaper is good to use.

The new standard has replaced the slip volume in the old standard with the test index of absorption rate, and the liquid addition test has been changed from the natural state test to the U-shaped test, making the performance assessment more rigorous. This indicator assesses the time between two absorptions. The absorption time for the first time should be ≤50 seconds, and for the second time, it should be ≤100 seconds. The smaller this test indicator is, the faster the absorption speed will be.

U-shaped test for the penetration performance of diapers

The backflow rate is an important indicator reflecting the dryness of diapers. The new standard has revised the testing method for the backflow rate of diapers, which is closer to the actual use of the human body, and the test results are highly accurate. The new standard requires that the seepage volume be ≤15.0g. The smaller this indicator is in the test, the drier the baby's bottom will be.

Experts point out that the release of the new standard will have a significant impact on the design and development, production, quality inspection and other aspects of baby diapers. First of all, manufacturing enterprises must promptly grasp the technical requirements of the new standards, conduct product inspections in advance in accordance with the new standards, and understand the quality level of the products. Secondly, diaper manufacturers should do a good job in screening raw materials and strictly control the introduction of harmful substances into the products. Suppliers of raw materials for diapers should also promptly identify risks and actively respond to the requirements of the new standards. Finally, enterprises should adjust raw materials and processes based on the verification results to ensure that the products meet the requirements of the new standards.

The safety indicators have been comprehensively enhanced

The safety issue of baby diapers is not only the core concern of the whole family but also the focus of the entire society. Therefore, many safety items have been added to the new standard.

Experts introduced that in addition to adding safety indicators such as heavy metals, migratory fluorescent substances, acrylamide, formaldehyde, phthalates, and decomposing carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes, the new standard also includes regulations on surface layer adherents. This places higher demands on the production environment and process of diapers. Meanwhile, in order to prevent unscrupulous enterprises from using recycled inferior diapers to produce baby diapers after processing, the new standard has added assessment requirements for impurities.

▲ Detection of impurities in diapers

▲ Detection of adherents on the surface layer of diapers

The new standard stipulates that the surface layer adherents should be no more than 5 pieces per piece, and the impurities ranging from 3.0mm² to 5.0mm² should be no more than 2 pieces per piece. The smaller the above indicators, the better. Impurities larger than 5.0mm² should not be present.

The technical level of the new standard indicators is basically in line with relevant foreign standards and regulations and is at the international advanced level. Experts say that since the implementation of the new standards, based on the test results of the products and the research on enterprises, the current excellent domestic diapers have made considerable progress in the development of new materials and product design, and their performance is no less than that of imported brands.

03{Expert Reminder} Remember These six points when choosing diapers

First, check: whether the product packaging is intact and undamaged, and whether the marking information is complete. Including but not limited to product name, execution standard, name of the manufacturing enterprise, production date or expiration date, applicable weight, product specifications, etc.

Second option: Purchase from regular sales channels to prevent buying counterfeit or substandard products. Select the corresponding product specifications (nb, s, m, l, etc.) and applicable waist circumference according to the baby's weight. According to the baby's usage needs, choose waist-patch type or trouser type diapers or diapers.

According to different wearing methods, diapers are divided into waist-hugging diapers and pants diapers. When babies are relatively young, they usually use waist-hugging diapers, which are convenient to wear. When babies are a little older, they tend to be more active. They can wear panty-shaped diapers. Panty-shaped diapers are less likely to fall off and are convenient for babies to walk around. After a baby turns one year old, their activity ability increases and their autonomy improves. They can wear training pants, which are convenient for movement and can also train their ability to urinate and defecate independently.

Third smell: Check if the diaper has any odor. Try to choose a diaper with a low odor.

Fourth touch: Check if the surface layer and the leak-proof edge of the diaper are soft. At present, there is no testing method for the breathability, softness and other properties of diapers. Consumers can compare them by touching them with their hands when using them.

Five checks: By examining the test results of various indicators in the third-party inspection report of the diaper, pay particular attention to safety indicators, microbiological indicators, and performance indicators in use, especially the absorption speed, backflow rate, and leakage rate. The smaller the backflow rate result, the stronger the ability to absorb urine when worn, with less urine returning to the skin, and better dryness.

In addition, according to the different core materials, diapers are classified into fluff pulp core and composite core. Composite core diapers feature ultra-thinness and softness, which can reduce the feeling of stuffiness when worn in summer.

Sixth test: Choose a diaper that fits the baby well. Test the waist circumference and the tightness inside the thighs. It should neither be too loose nor too tight. Just right is fine.