If you’re a new parent or caregiver, finding the right diaper brand can be overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which one will best suit your baby’s needs. Two popular store brand diapers are Amazon’s Mama Bear Gentle Touch and Target’s Up & Up. In this article, we provide an in-depth comparison of these two brands, analyzing factors such as size, absorption, cost, and ingredients, among others.
We conducted time-on-baby-butt testing and absorption tests, which were photo-documented and made into visuals, to help you personally see how well these diapers absorb compared to each other. Additionally, we offer cost comparisons that were current as of July 2023. So, read on to learn more about Mama Bear Gentle Touch vs. Target Up & Up diapers, and determine which one is the best fit for your little one.
Key Takeaways
- Mama Bear Gentle Touch and Target Up & Up are popular store brand diapers.
- We conducted in-depth testing and analysis of these two brands, including size, absorption, cost, and ingredients.
- Our analysis provides valuable information to help you choose the best diaper brand for your baby.
Review updated for a walking baby
If your baby is walking, you may want to consider re-evaluating their diaper brand. After re-testing Target Up & Up diapers on our walking baby, we found that their performance was disappointing, with many leaks. We have updated this article in July 2023 to reflect this new information.
While our original assessment still stands for those with smaller babies, we now use Mama Bear’s premium Plus Protection line. We have also reviewed Mama Bear’s standard line, Gentle Touch diapers, in this article. For more information on Plus Protection vs. Gentle Touch, please refer to our full evaluation.
It is important to note that as your baby becomes more active and starts moving around more, you may need to switch to a more reliable diaper brand. Keep in mind that not all diaper brands are created equal, and what works for one baby may not work for another.
Size of Up & Up’s and Mama Bear Diapers
When it comes to diaper sizing, Mama Bear size 2 diapers run slightly larger than Target’s Up & Up’s. The comparisons made in this article were based on size 2 diapers, which are designed for babies weighing between 12-18 pounds. Both Amazon Mama Bear diapers and Target Up & Up diapers are available in sizes ranging from newborn (up to 10 lb.) to size 7 (above 41 lb.).
Below is a table comparing the measurements of Target Up & Up and Mama Bear size 2 diapers:
| Target Up & Up | Mama Bear | |
| Height | 7″ | 7.5″ |
| Width | 4″ | 4.25″ |
| Between Legs | 3″ | 3.5″ |
| Front waistband | 9.5″ | 10″ |
| Velcro Strip | 5.4″ | 4.5″ |
| Back waistband | 10.5″ | 9.5″ |
| Back waistband stretched | 12.25″ | 13″ |
It is worth noting that personal preference plays a role in determining whether a bigger or smaller diaper is better. Some parents prefer larger diapers for cost-saving reasons, as the cost per diaper increases with size. Ultimately, the choice between Mama Bear and Up & Up diapers comes down to individual preference and priorities.
Absorption Testing: Mama Bear vs. Up & Up Diapers
Mama Bear Diaper Absorbency Testing
When testing the absorbency of Mama Bear diapers, each diaper was filled with 350 mL of liquid in 50 mL increments. Photos were taken every 5 seconds after each pour to document absorption. After 25 seconds, remaining wetness was checked with a paper towel. The diapers were rested for at least 10 minutes before a final dryness test.
Mama Bear diapers visually appeared to suck up the test liquid quickly. However, they felt wet after 25 seconds when tested with a paper towel. This wetness was significant and present even at low volumes. This wetness was the most among the four brands tested during the trial run.
That said, the diaper did feel much drier after a 10-minute rest and was on par with the other diapers. This suggests that Mama Bear diapers have absorption capacity but are not as efficient and absorb more slowly than Up & Up’s. After the 10-minute rest, the final paper towel test was dry. To the touch, the Mama Bear diaper felt slightly damper compared to the Up & Up.
Target Up & Up Absorbency Testing
When testing the absorbency of Up & Up diapers, each diaper was filled with 350 mL of liquid in 50 mL increments. Photos were taken every 5 seconds after each pour to document absorption. After 25 seconds, remaining wetness was checked with a paper towel. The diapers were rested for at least 10 minutes before a final dryness test.
Up & Up diapers also performed visually well and appeared to soak up liquid quickly. On the paper towel test, it had some residual wetness but nowhere near as much as the Mama Bear diapers. Overall, it did a pretty good job of absorbing most of the liquid quickly for the first four pours. Its performance started to wane some at the 300 mL pour, when it became wetter on the paper towel test.
Up & Up’s had a dry paper towel test after the 10 minute resting period. They also pulled ahead of the Mama Bear’s by feeling drier to the touch.
WINNER: Up & Up — The Mama Bear diapers absorbed liquid more slowly than the Up & Up’s. Up & Up diapers had a very solid performance, especially for a store brand.
In conclusion, Up & Up diapers have better absorption performance than Mama Bear diapers. While Mama Bear diapers have absorption capacity, they are not as efficient and absorb more slowly than Up & Up’s. Up & Up diapers performed better in the absorbency testing, especially for a store brand.
Overnight
Choosing the right diaper for overnight use is crucial to ensure your baby stays dry and comfortable throughout the night. Based on our testing, Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers did not hold up well overnight, with multiple leaking incidents reported. As a result, we recommend using them only during the day.
On the other hand, Up & Up diapers worked well for overnight use, with very few leakage incidents reported. They also stayed on our baby’s body even when filled to capacity.
However, as our baby grew bigger and started walking, Up & Up’s no longer worked well for overnight use, with our baby waking up soaking wet. Therefore, we recommend using Up & Up diapers for overnight use only when your baby is smaller.
Overall, our winner for overnight use is Target Up & Up diapers, as they worked well for overnight use when our baby was smaller. However, it is important to note that as your baby grows bigger, Up & Up’s may not be reliable for overnight use.
Cost Comparison: Amazon Mama Bear vs. Up & Up’s
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly diaper option, both Mama Bear and Up & Up diapers are great choices. These store brands offer significant savings compared to name brands, costing almost half the price.
When comparing the prices of Mama Bear and Up & Up diapers, it’s important to consider the package size. If you’re buying a large box, Mama Bear diapers run a few cents more per diaper than Up & Up’s. However, if you only need a small pack of diapers, Mama Bear diapers are significantly more expensive than Up & Up’s.
One great feature of Target’s Up & Up brand is the consistent pricing across all package sizes. Whether you’re buying a small bag or the biggest box, the cost per diaper is essentially the same. This makes it more convenient for parents who don’t need the huge box or who don’t want to be stuck with a lot of outgrown diapers when their baby sizes up.
Based on our research, Up & Up diapers are slightly cheaper than Mama Bear diapers. Additionally, the more consistent pricing across package sizes makes Up & Up the better choice for parents who want to save money without sacrificing quality.
It’s worth noting that prices are dynamic and can change frequently. This comparison is based on July 2023 pricing, and each price mention is highlighted with this date. Keep this in mind when making your purchasing decisions.
In summary, if you’re looking for an affordable diaper option, both Mama Bear and Up & Up diapers are great choices. However, if you want the most consistent pricing across all package sizes, Up & Up is the better option.
Ingredients
When it comes to the ingredients of Up & Up vs. Mama Bear diapers, both brands claim to be hypoallergenic and free of fragrance, elemental chlorine, and latex. Both brands also use elemental chlorine-free bleaching, which means that no direct chlorine was used, but other chemicals used in the wood bleaching process may contain chlorine.
Mama Bear lists their ingredients as fluff, an absorbent sodium polyacrylate polymer, and a nonwoven dryness layer. The outer shell is made of polypropylene nonwoven fabric, non-latex elastics, adhesives, and ink (exact materials not specified). They also list ingredients that don’t give any real details on ingredients like “fastening system” and “moisture barrier.”
Target provides a general materials list for their Up & Up diapers that includes polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene. They do not break the material list down by layer.
Overall, both Up & Up and Mama Bear diapers claim to be hypoallergenic but leave something to be desired on ingredient details. If you are concerned about the ingredients in your baby’s diapers, it may be worth considering eco-friendly diapers made from plant-based materials or biodegradable diapers. Additionally, avoiding diapers with lotions, fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and petroleum-based plastics may help reduce the risk of diaper rash and promote your baby’s health and safety.
Where are Mama Bear & Target Diapers Manufactured?
Both Target Up & Up and Amazon Mama Bear diapers are manufactured in the USA.
Are Up & Up or Mama Bears More Comfortable?
When it comes to the comfort of diapers, the softness of the material is a key factor. Mama Bear diapers are much softer than Target Up & Up diapers, making them a great choice for parents looking for gentle touch on their baby’s skin. The insides of Mama Bear diapers are much softer and ever-so-slightly fluffy compared to the Up & Up’s.
Both Mama Bear and Up & Up diapers are similar in terms of bulkiness, but Mama Bear diapers are impressively soft and velvety for a store brand. They are even softer than name-brand Pampers. The bulkiness of Up & Up vs. Mama Bear are comparable. Both diapers are thin when dry but when liquid is introduced, they bulk up quite a bit. The Target diaper is a little narrower and thicker than the Mama Bear diaper when full.
Mama Bear diapers also offer plush protection, which is great for babies with sensitive skin. The plush protection of Mama Bear diapers is comparable to that of Pampers. Up & Up diapers, on the other hand, have a tendency to shift and bunch up when your baby is walking. The inner filling of Up & Up would bunch a little with movement when our baby had peed a lot in both types of diapers.
Both Amazon Mama Bear and Target Up & Up newborn diapers have space for the umbilical stump. However, when it comes to overall comfort, Mama Bear diapers are the clear winner.
Fit & Secureness: Mama Bear & Target Up & Up
When it comes to fit and secureness, Mama Bear and Target Up & Up diapers have some similarities and differences. Mama Bear diapers tend to fit bigger, while Target Up & Up diapers are smaller. However, both options can provide snug and secure fits for your baby, depending on their proportions.
Both Mama Bear and Target Up & Up diapers have elastic cinching on the back waistband, which helps to keep the diaper in place. In terms of tabs, Target Up & Up diapers have more elastic stretch than Mama Bear diapers. However, Mama Bear diapers add a thin strip where the tabs fasten in size 3 diapers, which provides extra security for a more mobile baby.
In terms of sturdiness, both Mama Bear and Target Up & Up diapers are comparable. They stay on the baby as they move around, although Target Up & Up diapers have a slight edge in staying in place.
It is worth noting that Up & Up diapers do not stay on well once the baby starts walking. Therefore, if your baby is already walking, you may want to consider other options.
Overall, it is a tie between Mama Bear and Target Up & Up diapers when it comes to fit and secureness. The fit of a diaper will depend on the proportions of your baby, and the stretchiness of the tabs is a personal preference. Mama Bear’s extra security feature for size 3 diapers is a nice touch, while Target Up & Up’s stretchier tabs may appeal to some parents.
It is important to find a diaper that fits your baby comfortably and has good leakage protection to prevent leaks. Both Mama Bear and Target Up & Up diapers are durable and can provide good leak protection, making them good options to consider.
Look
When it comes to design, both Up & Up and Amazon Mama Bear diapers are simple-looking and similar in appearance. They each have a white shell with a simple bluish or greenish pattern on the waistband, as well as a second option with more design on the outer shell. However, Mama Bear diapers have a clear size indicator on the waistband, which Up & Up diapers lack. This size indicator takes the guesswork out of sizing up, making Mama Bear the winner in this category. Additionally, both brands include pH-based wetness indicators, ensuring that you know when it’s time for a change.
Conclusion: Are Up & Up or Mama Bear Diapers Better?
After conducting tests on both Up & Up and Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers, it has been found that Up & Up diapers perform better than Mama Bear diapers in terms of absorbency and overnight wear. Additionally, Up & Up diapers have a cost advantage over Mama Bear diapers, making them a more affordable option.
However, this assessment only holds true for smaller babies. If your baby is walking, Up & Up diapers may not be the best option. For bigger babies, Mama Bear’s Plush Protection premium line is recommended for overnight use.
In terms of other factors, both Up & Up and Mama Bear diapers have their advantages. Up & Up diapers have a better fit and secureness, while Mama Bear diapers are more comfortable and have a better look. The two brands tie in terms of size and ingredients, as both brands offer similar options and use safe materials.
If you are already a frequent Amazon shopper, Mama Bear diapers may be the more convenient option due to Amazon’s fast shipping. However, if you are looking for a more affordable and better-performing option, Up & Up diapers are a great choice.
If you are still undecided on which diaper brand to choose, consider checking out some of our other diaper comparisons, including Mama Bear vs. Pampers Diapers and Target Up & Up vs. Huggies Diapers.
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