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Pampers are one of the most expensive nappies (= diapers for my American cousins) on the market. The actual price per nappy does vary a lot according to the size you buy, where you buy them and how big the pack size is, so it's difficult to give a precise price, but for comparison purposes in England in my local Sainsburys supermarket this week they've got a 2 for 16 offer on economy packs of Pampers Baby Dry.

I use washable nappies as often as practical, but when I need a disposable, Pampers Baby Dry tends to be the one I go for. Although it is more expensive than supermarket own brands and huggies, it is a reliable brand and a good balance between quality and price. Here in England Pamper make baby Dry but they also make Active fit, which cost about 5p (10 cents) a nappy more, but has extra features.

In size 4 (the one my son uses) you get 46 Active Fit nappies in an economy pack so that's 0.19p (37 cents) a nappy, before the offer (the packs are normally 8.69 (about $17 each) and 0.17p (34 cents) a nappy with the offer. With "normal" Pampers baby dry you get more nappies in a pack for the same price (clever marketing huh?) so they cost 0.14p (27 cents) a nappy before the offer.

So what do you get for your extra 5p/10 cents a nappy? Well active fit have stretchy elastic bits round the legs, designed for toddler movement, and a more stretchy waistband - the bit the velcro is on. That's the main difference. This does make them easier to get on, especially when your baby is crawling away from you as you are trying to fasten it.

In terms of baby moving around, mine seems to be able to clamber everywhere in the Baby Dry nappies just as easily as in Active Fit. I've never had a problem with normal Pampers not being absorbent, or falling down or anything, and these are at least as good, if not better.
I think it is probably the case that in the event of total poo explosion (you know the ones that go right up their backs etc) then Active Fit might be a bit better than Baby Dry, which in turn I think are better than other nappies at keeping it all in. Since I'm quite rubbish as continuing this trend whilst changing said poo explosion, it doesn't make much difference to me, as I end up being the reason it's all over his vest instead of the nappy. There is an argument for saying that Pampers are better though, as it means it's contained until you are a safe distance away from the general public, timber constructed buildings etc.

but (unless you're feeding yours really weird stuff), that's not an everyday occurrence. So on a budget, the extra 5p for Active Fit is not worth it and Baby Dry does just fine. They add up, these 5ps. Talk about "spending a penny". But if you were rolling in it (money that is, not poo), yeah, the extra stretchy bits in Active Fit are better than not having them. But compared to soggy, disintegrating infernior quality nappies, either Pampers brand wins every time!

Learn more about this author, Anne Davey.
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