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One of the things they never tell you about having a child is that you will use a lot of baby wipes. Think pallets full of baby wipes and you will be close! So you may start to wonder, do baby wipes expire?
The good news is that there is no such thing as too many baby wipes and, while they do lose some of their moistness after a certain time, they do not technically have an expiration date.
As any mom of a child in diapers knows, a long-lasting diaper product with great absorption is key to a happy baby. But, do diapers expire? Is there a time when they should be tossed away and replaced with a new batch?
The good news is that diapers do not expire, but there are some things you need to know before breaking out that box of diapers that was saved from your last child.
Theoretically, diapers can last forever. As a paper product, they can be just as effective on day 101 after manufacturing as they are on day one. While they generally retain their shape and their performance, the large diaper manufacturers do recommend that they be used within a 2-year time frame so that consumers can experience them at their best.
We called Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs to get the information straight from their customer service representatives about the products themselves. Not only were they helpful in explaining how their products work, they were also happy to answer questions in regard to their diapers and wipes.
Related Post: Do Baby Wipes Expire?
The cheerful customer service representative at Huggies explained that there is no expiration date on the diapers. They are a paper product that should perform the exact same way no matter when they are used. As with all paper products, they did explain that there may be some yellowing of the paper itself with age. The elastic, as with all elastic products, may also lose its elasticity over time. For consumers, this may mean that the longer you wait to use the diapers, the greater there is of a risk of leakage.
Although there is no expiration date for Pampers diapers, they do suggest using them within a two-year time frame. That time frame is the optimal window for all of the products components (i.e. – elastic, paper, absorption material) to work the most effectively. While using them outside of that timeframe can certainly be done, the company claims that they are at their peak performance within those two years after manufacturing.
For those who prefer to use Luvs diapers, there is again, no expiration date for the products. Their diapers are tested for a two-year shelf life, so they recommend using them within that time period. That is when they are the most effective for absorbing liquids and protecting from leaks. Luvs does have a money back guarantee, but it is limited to within 45-days of purchase, so it would not apply to diapers that have been sitting on your child’s changing table for a few years.
Although we have established that diapers do not expire, it is important to be aware of the fact that some of the components of diapers can change with age.
Since diapers are a paper product, over time, the color of the paper may change. It is not unusual to find some yellowing on the outside of the diaper after a couple of years have passed. The discoloration should not impact the diaper’s effectiveness though.
The elastic used at the waist and around the legs can also deteriorate with age. The humidity and heat of the area where the diapers are stored can also speed up the elastic’s deterioration. High humidity and heat dry out the elastic and make it much less effective.
While this does not impact the diaper’s ability to absorb, it can create quite a mess should the diaper leak from the sides or the top.
Since diapers do not expire, it is okay to use them years later and expect them to still be able to absorb.
If you are thinking about using older diapers though, it is a good idea to check the coloring of the paper, as well as the elastic.
Should you find the elastic is loose and does not provide that secure seal around the edges, you may want to put a diaper cover (typically used for cloth diapering) on over the diaper. Just be sure to change the diapers frequently as the extra moisture from the plastic cover over the diaper could irritate your child’s skin.
When it comes down to disposable diapers, the rule of thumb is that there is no expiration date, but they are most effective and perform the best when used within two years of their manufacture date.
Can you use diapers that are older than two years? Absolutely, but just be aware that they may be slightly discolored and that the elastic may have loosened.
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Sometimes mothering comes naturally and sometimes I need special instructions. When it came to diapers I thought it would be super easy, who needs instructions on diapering…right? Well, turns out there were some great tricks that I was happy to learn from some of my experienced mom friends.
You as a parent know your child best. In fact, you are more likely to notice that your child may be gifted before anyone else.
Parents usually become aware that their children may be gifted within the first five years of their little one’s life. This means that as children come closer to the age of five, their parents may have more accurate assumptions on their child’s gifted status. This is when you start to wonder what to do if you think your child is gifted.
Nicknames can make someone’s given name a lot more fun. This is why many choose to call their children, friends and family members by a variation of their full name. When it comes to selecting the best nicknames for William, there are many things to consider.
This post was sponsored by Aussie as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Be sure to enter the Back to School Sweepstakes with Walmart for a chance to win a $50,000 scholarship or other prizes!
It’s getting to the end of summer and Back to School is coming soon. My daughter’s hair is so damaged from the sun, chlorine and salt water that we can barely brush it. The tears are getting intense.
My kids were a part of our neighborhood swim team this summer. It is such a great way for them to get some exercise and for us to get to know all our neighbors. It is such a bonding experience for the kids and for the adults.
Now that the swim team season is over and after spending weeks at the pool and beach my kids’ hair is no longer soft and silky. Even my boy’s shorter hair feels rough. I will admit that I do love the golden color running through my boy’s hair and my daughter’s is super blonde, but the texture just isn’t right.
When I was a girl, I was on swim team and my hair became dry and brittle, we used Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner. I decided to use the same thing to fix my kids’ hair before school starts. You can find Aussie products at your local Walmart.
When parent-teacher conference time rolls around, that appointment can feel either intimidating or unnecessary at times for parents.
I started wondering what it is like to sit on the other side of the table. So I asked a veteran teacher what her perspective on parent-teacher conferences was. Her answers surprised (enlightened/encouraged me, and I think they will “surprise” you.
Here are her reflections.
Choosing a name for your baby can be a fun adventure. While some people choose to go with more original and unique names, others opt for classic names that have stood the test of time. Charles is one of those names that has been used for many years, making it a classic name choice for males. While you may be considering naming your child Charles, it is important to keep in mind that there are several variations of the name. In fact, there are many different nicknames for Charles that can be used to change up the name.
When it comes to selecting a nickname, it is important to keep a few things in mind, and learn more about the name itself, its meaning and its origin.
The time has come; your child’s birthday is right around the corner. You want to come up with a unique birthday celebration.
Your kid won’t stop talking about it and makes it the main point of conversation at least once a day, if not more. You start searching Pinterest and find picture-perfect birthday parties that eventually end up costing an arm and a leg. Sure, you can host a party complete with bounce-houses, a balloon artist and a live concert performed by Beyoncé.
Today is the day. Summer break has come to a seemingly sudden close and you’ve scanned your kids’ back-to-school checklists for the umpteenth time.
As a parent, you’re likely reacting one of two ways; you’re either sweeping your kids out the front door and onto the school bus (sayonara, see you in 8 blissful hours!) or you’re clinging onto them for dear life and ugly-crying after realizing how fast they’ve grown.
Regardless, you want your children to feel extra special as you send them off to their precious days of classroom learning. Kicking off the school year in a positive and loving manner will not only give your child a boost in their confidence but will encourage them to flourish in their new learning environment.
