I didn’t quite know what to make of the offer to review the new LUVS diapers. At first, I was sort of confused and offended. After all, I’m not even 40. I don’t need to be sourcing diapers just yet.
Once I figured out the offer to test drive the new diaper was for the kid, however…well, I was still a bit skeptical. On the one hand, because of my marketing background, I felt a sort of kindred connection to the agency soul that was reaching out. And, on the other hand, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. We all seemed pretty happy with the Pampers; K-Man didn’t complain and we haven’t had a blow-out or any serious leakage for a long time.
In the end – the kindred agency connection won out and we agreed to give LUVS a chance. The diapers arrived with an announcement from K-Man, “Daddy mail box. Daddy mail box.” As Kolby brought the diapers to me, I explained to Lisa what they were and why they were sent to us. I opened the box and wondered if we were on the verge of a huge mistake.
Like other parents, I worry about things like paying the mortgage, making sure my kid is safe and avoiding blow-outs. We do whatever we can to teach Kolby how to be a respectful, polite little guy and that starts with always saying “please,” and “thank you,” – and especially keeping the results of all bodily functions in his diaper.
The box of diapers came with a letter explaining all the technological benefits of the diapers, as well as a link to a Web page where I could learn more. I always laugh at commercials that laud the new technology of deodorant, toothpaste or the germ-fighting breakthroughs made in the battle to develop the “most advanced mouthwash ever produced!” I had the same reaction to the letter and didn’t bother with the Web site. None of the special features will matter if the diaper can’t hold the poop. “It just won’t do if it can’t hold the poo!”
The decision to try a new brand of diapers does not come easily. And, the first day that we had the new diapers – we couldn’t do it. The package remained unopened, almost daring us to use the diapers that waited inside.
The morning after we received the diapers, my wife and I compromised. We would change Kolby into the new LUVS diapers, but only while the kid was in our house. We’d put him back into his old diapers when we left. We just didn’t know this new diaper and we weren’t willing to risk a potential diaper disaster simply because they were free (kindred agency connection be damned!).
When I put the diaper on Kolby for the first time, my first reaction was that it seemed less sturdy than Kolby’s Pampers. It seemed more like paper than the thick armor Pampers designed to protect parents from harm. (Oh, I know – it’s about protecting the baby, keeping him dry, blah, blah, blah. I prefer to think of a good diaper as protecting the parent from those horrid blow-out experiences.) Plus, the LUVS didn’t have Elmo on them. And, since Elmo makes everything better, I was uneasy. Because Kolby was only wearing them for a short period of time – what was the worst thing that could happen? On it went.
Though the diaper seemed less substantial, it had this elastic-like stretch that I thought was kinda cool. (“Bear Hug Stretch Tabs” – gotta love/LUVS marketing-speak and the subtle dig at Huggies!). Not only did this feature seem to provide a better fit, it reminded me of old-man pants with the elastic waist. (Yes, I’m quite capable of amusing myself with images such as a two-year old wearing 80-year old stretchy-waist pants.)
We still weren’t ready to head out into public with the new diapers – especially since we were taking him to his new school. We weren’t ready for, “Oh, he’s clearly the smartest two-year old we’ve ever had in our program, but it looks like his diaper is leaking. I’m sorry, but we can’t take him. We can’t afford to have idiot parents who try a new diaper choice for no apparent reason.” We didn’t want to face the disapproving looks of the other parents. Or have to deal with the whispers and finger-pointing, “Those are the people who changed to new diapers when the others were just fine. Can you imagine?” We’d be ostracized.
After Kolby came home from his morning filled with activities (and we felt good for avoiding any finger-pointing), we changed him back into the LUVS for his nap. This was a risk. Bad bodily things happen during naps. Since these bad things would be happening at home, however, we figured it was worth the risk.
“What do you think?” I asked my wife after she changed him following the nap. “It seems like they fit better.” I told her that I liked the “stretchy-pull-tab-thingy.” (Sorry brand marketing people – I know you spent millions to come up with “Bear Hug Stretch Tabs.”)
Here we are a few days into the test and so far, so good. Are the new LUVS diapers more technologically superior to the Pampers? I don’t know. I’d probably have to wear them myself to figure that out (and I would, but the size 5 just doesn’t quite fit). And, even though Kolby is the smartest two-year old EVER – he’s not able to let us know how he feels about the difference. He is two, though, and capable of letting us know when things are terribly wrong. He hasn’t bitched about the new diapers and that’s about as much of a ringing endorsement as we can get, I suppose.
So, the big question remains…will we switch from Pampers to LUVS? I do like those Bear Hug Stretch Tabs and overall the LUVS seem to be a little less bulky. And, they are less expensive. But, who are you kidding? You think I make those decisions? Get serious.
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