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SCMP Reporter

Parents could save nearly $11,000 by using cheaper nappies throughout their baby's infancy, according to the Consumer Council.

A study of 22 brands found few differences in the quality and hygiene of disposable nappies, but a variation in price of more than $2 per nappy between the cheapest and most expensive brands.

Council spokesman Dr Lo Chi-kin said: 'There is precious little difference so far as quality and hygiene are concerned, but not so when it comes to price. A vast difference exists, from 98 cents to $3 per diaper.'

On the basis of using up to eight nappies a day over 30 months, parents could save as much as $10,877 switching from the most expensive to the cheapest brand, the council said.

At $3 a nappy, Huggies 'Overnites Diapers' are the most expensive, followed by the same company's 'Ultra Diapers', costing $2.47. By comparison, overnight nappies made by PetPet cost $1.10 each and Drypers daytime nappies just 98 cents.

Other low-priced products include Bestbuy's 'Baby Disposable Diapers' at $1.19 a nappy, Golden Hello Baby's 'Disposable Baby Diaper' at $1.21, No Frills' 'Ultra Thin Baby Diaper', also at $1.21, and Prokids' 'Premium Disposable Baby Diapers' at $1.35.

The products were tested for leakage, surface dryness, absorption, pH value, cleanliness of absorbent material and the effectiveness of tape fasteners.

Only one sample, the Japanese-manufactured 'Topvalue' failed the surface dryness test, with all other samples meeting relevant standards.

'Ultra Thins Diapers' from Toys 'R' Us and a Mimimama brand scored three out of five points on surface dryness, but were still within acceptable limits.

'Of particular relief is the absence of the environmental hormones Tributyltin and Triphenyltin, which affect the endocrine system and, in turn, the growth and development of the reproductive system,' said Dr Lo, adding that an earlier test in Germany had revealed some nappies contained Tributyltin.

The council advised parents that, although all the products provided a satisfactory level of urine absorption, nappies should be changed as often as required in order to avoid skin irritation.



Cheap but effective nappies not to be sniffed at