Are you struggling to decide between Pampers Swaddlers and Amazon’s Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers? Unsure if Pampers are worth the added expense compared to Amazon’s Mama Bear house brand? This comprehensive comparison of Pampers Swaddlers vs. Mama Bear diapers delves into absorbency, size, comfort, fit, ingredients, and cost. Each diaper underwent rigorous absorbency testing, with documented results presented in gif format so you can personally witness how well these diapers keep baby bottoms dry. The diapers were also field tested on an actual baby and subjected to multiple overnight tests to provide you with a thorough assessment.
If you’re seeking other diaper comparisons, you can also explore Mama Bear Gentle Touch vs. Mama Bear Plush Protection Diapers, Hello Bello vs. Pampers Diapers, Amazon Mama Bear diapers vs. Target Up & Up diapers, and Pampers Swaddlers vs. Huggies Little Snugglers. Please note that cost comparisons throughout this article refer to costs as of December 2022.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive comparison of Pampers Swaddlers vs. Mama Bear diapers, covering absorbency, size, comfort, fit, ingredients, and cost
- Rigorous absorbency testing and field tests on an actual baby, including multiple overnight tests
- Additional diaper comparisons available for reference, providing a holistic view of available options
Size
For this write up, we tested size 2 diapers from both Pampers and Mama Bear, which have a weight range of 12-18 lb. The tested Pampers model was Swaddlers, while the Mama Bear model was Gentle Touch. Both diapers are similarly sized, with slight variations in measurements. Below is a chart showing the size measurements of each diaper:
| Pampers Swaddlers | Mama Bear | |
| Height | 7.25″ front, 8″ back | 7.5″ |
| Width | 5″ | 4.25″ |
| Between Legs | 3.5″ | 3.5″ |
| Front waistband | 10.5″ | 10″ |
| Velcro Strip | 4.5″ | 4.5″ |
| Back waistband | 11.5″ | 9.5″ |
| Back waistband stretched | 13.5″ | 13″ |
Both Mama Bear and Pampers diapers are available in newborn size (up to 10 lb.) to size 7 (above 41 lb.). Pampers also offers preemie sizes (-3, -2, and -1), which is appreciated by parents of preemies. However, Mama Bear may not cater to preemies if they aren’t selling to hospitals.
Overall, both diapers offer the same sizing options, making it a tie in this category.
Absorbency
Mama Bear Diaper Absorbency Testing
When Mama Bear diapers were tested for absorbency, they appeared to absorb the liquid quickly but felt wet when tested with a paper towel, even at only 50 mL. The diaper had the capacity to absorb a lot of liquid but lacked the efficiency to do it quickly. Mama Bear diapers absorbed more slowly than other diapers. After resting for at least 10 minutes, the diaper felt comparable in terms of dryness as the other diapers. Mama Bear diapers passed the final paper towel test with no wetness, but it did feel slightly damp to the touch.
Pampers Swaddlers Absorbency Testing
Compared to Mama Bear diapers, Pampers Swaddlers absorbed liquid much quicker. However, Pampers absorbency results showed that there were beads of liquid that stayed on top of the diaper and did not absorb. This beading was present even on the first 50 mL pour. During the paper towel test, those beads of liquid were felt but otherwise the other parts of the diaper felt dry. Pampers seemed to improve as more liquid was added. At the 250 mL pour, there was actually less liquid beading up than the first few pours. Like the Mama Bear diapers, the Pampers had a dry paper towel test after the 10 minute resting period but felt a little damp when touched.
When comparing the absorbency of Mama Bear diapers and Pampers Swaddlers, Pampers Swaddlers performed better. Mama Bear diapers had the capacity to absorb a lot but lacked efficiency, while Pampers Swaddlers absorbed liquid much quicker. However, Pampers Swaddlers had some beading of liquid that did not absorb, but this did not seem to be a real-life problem. Overall, Pampers Swaddlers were better in terms of absorbency performance.
Overnight
When it comes to overnight use, both Mama Bear and Pampers have their pros and cons. Mama Bear diapers did not perform well in overnight trials, as they had multiple leakage incidents. This made them unsuitable for overnight use, and they were only used during the day. On the other hand, Pampers were able to absorb an overnight’s worth of pee well enough to prevent leaks. However, there were some instances where the diaper on the outside would be slightly damp, but not enough to wet clothes.
One issue with Pampers is the urine smell that can develop overnight. This is surprising, considering that Pampers is the only diaper to include fragrance as an ingredient, presumably to mask these types of odors. In contrast, Mama Bear diapers did not have any noticeable odor issues.
Despite the urine odor issue, Pampers wins this category because they did the best at preventing overnight leaks. However, if you are concerned about odor, you may want to consider using Mama Bear diapers for overnight use. Overall, it is important to find a diaper that works well for your baby’s needs and preferences.
Cost Comparison: Amazon Mama Bear vs. Pampers
If you are looking for budget-friendly diapers, Amazon Mama Bear diapers may be a good option to consider. Mama Bear diapers are Amazon’s store brand diapers, which tend to run slightly higher in price than other store brands like Target or Wal-Mart. However, they still offer a significant discount compared to name brands like Pampers (as of Dec. 2022).
When comparing the biggest box available of size 2 diapers, Mama Bear costs roughly $0.17 per diaper, while Pampers costs about $0.29 per diaper (as of Dec. 2022). It is worth noting that Mama Bear diapers are only available for purchase through Amazon, whereas Pampers can be found at most retailers.
In terms of cost savings, Mama Bear diapers offer a significant advantage over name brand Pampers (as of Dec. 2022). Therefore, if you are looking for budget-friendly options, Mama Bear diapers may be a good choice for you.
Manufacturing Location
Both Pampers and Mama Bear diapers are manufactured in the United States. This information ensures that the diapers are produced under strict quality control guidelines and labor standards. Moreover, it reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. If you are concerned about sustainable sources, both brands offer eco-friendly options.
Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, Pampers and Mama Bear diapers have some similarities. However, the biggest difference between them is that Pampers Swaddlers have a light fragrance, while Mama Bear diapers are fragrance-free. Mama Bear diapers have a very faint fresh scent, but it is hardly noticeable.
Both Pampers and Mama Bear diapers are chlorine-free. Pampers Swaddlers use elemental chlorine-free pulp, a polymer, and fragrance for the absorbent inside. The liner is made of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester, while the outer cover is made of polypropylene and polyethylene. On the other hand, Mama Bear diapers use fluff, an absorbent sodium polyacrylate polymer, and a nonwoven dryness layer for the absorbent inside. The shell is made of polypropylene nonwoven fabric, non-latex elastics, adhesives, and ink (exact materials not specified). Mama Bear also claims to be hypoallergenic.
Mama Bear’s Gentle Touch diapers are free from fragrances, phthalates, and elemental chlorine bleaching. The Plush Protection diapers are also free of fragrances, lotions, and elemental chlorine bleaching. On the other hand, Pampers Swaddlers do contain fragrance.
In terms of ingredients, Mama Bear wins for being fragrance-free and free from harsh chemicals and materials.
Comfort
When it comes to the comfort of diapers, both Mama Bear and Pampers are soft and velvety to the touch. However, Mama Bear diapers edge out Pampers on softness. The outer shells of Mama Bears are more velvetier than Pampers, and the insides are much softer and almost a little fluffier than Pampers.
In terms of bulkiness, Mama Bears are thinner than Pampers Swaddlers when dry. However, both diapers bulk up considerably once liquid is introduced. Pampers smartly partitioned the inner filling into three sections to keep the bulkiness more evenly distributed when the baby moves. Mama Bear diapers may have the inner filling bunch or shift during wear.
Both Pampers Swaddlers and Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers have umbilical cord space in their newborn sizes.
Overall, Pampers is the winner in the comfort category. Mama Bear’s softness is impressive, but Pampers’ attention to detail in dividing the inner absorbent layer to prevent shifting when bulky is unmatched.
Fit & Secureness of Mama Bear and Pampers
When it comes to diaper fit and secureness, Mama Bear and Pampers are quite similar. Both diapers offer a snug and secure fit with ease. However, there are some differences to consider.
The waistband of Mama Bear diapers includes elastic cinching on the back waistband, while Pampers do not have any elastic in the waistband. This waistband elastic gives the Mama Bear diapers a little more fit flexibility. However, Pampers diapers have more stretch in their tabs, which can be beneficial for a more secure fit.
Once you hit size 3, Mama Bear adds a thin strip where the tabs fasten that is slightly tacky. These strips are a nice touch to add secureness for a presumably more mobile baby.
Both diapers are sturdy and stayed on well while our baby crawled and toddled around. There were no significant differences in terms of sturdiness.
Overall, both Mama Bear and Pampers diapers are tied when it comes to fit and secureness. It mostly comes down to personal preference. Mama Bears have the nice touch of the grippy strips once you hit size 3, while Pampers includes more stretch in their tabs. Regardless of which diaper you choose, both provide a secure and snug fit for your baby.
Look
When it comes to the look of Pampers Swaddlers and Amazon Mama Bear diapers, both are generally simple-looking. Pampers have a subtle design in muted colors on the diaper, while Mama Bear diapers are white with a blue and green design on the waistband. Mama Bear diapers include a clear size indicator on the waistband, which is convenient for parents as it reduces the mental work of deciding when to order the next size diapers. On the other hand, Pampers includes what they call “fit guide” markings but doesn’t give clear instructions on interpreting them. Both diapers include wetness indicators, which work equally well.
In terms of design, the winner is a tie. Other design elements will likely be a matter of personal preference.
Conclusion: Mama Bear vs Pampers Diaper Comparison
After conducting a thorough comparison of Mama Bear and Pampers diapers, it is clear that both brands have their strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to size, fit, and secureness, both brands are tied. However, Pampers has better absorbency and overnight performance compared to Mama Bear.
If you are on a tight budget, Mama Bear is the better option as it is more affordable compared to Pampers. Additionally, Mama Bear diapers have fewer chemicals and fragrances, making them a better option for babies with sensitive skin. However, Mama Bear diapers had some leakage issues during overnight wear.
On the other hand, Pampers is the higher quality diaper, but it comes at a higher cost. Pampers diapers have some nice details like the bifurcated inner absorbent layer, which makes them a better option for heavy wetters. Pampers also had a urine odor issue during overnight wear.
Overall, both Mama Bear and Pampers diapers are solid choices for your baby. If you are looking for a diaper that is affordable and has fewer chemicals, Mama Bear is the better option. However, if you want a high-quality diaper with better absorbency and overnight performance, Pampers is the better option.
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