Over the years I've tried several different brands of diapers. Pampers, Huggies, 7th Generation, Costco's Kirkland Brand, Luvs, and Target's Up Brand to name a few. I've found that despite the best efforts of these Diaper Companies, not every diaper works best for every baby. Perhaps it's the difference in the way each person puts the diaper on, how frequently they change it, or what their child may do in or to it; nonetheless I assert that some diapers simply work better on one child and not on another.
I have a friend who swears up and down that "XYZ" brand of diapers work way better than any other diaper on her child, yet I found "XYZ" brand is horrible. It leaks like crazy on my twin boys. Who's wrong, her or me?
Coincidentally, this same friend has a sister who's child can't wear disposable diapers at all. She says she has tried several different brands and all the brands gave her child a "burn". She made the switch to cloth before Dry Max was even on the market. Again I ask, who's wrong? My friend and I or her sister?
Picture the three of us in a room together. Indisputably, all 3 of us are moms who love our kids more than anything else. Also undeniable is the fact that all 3 of us are passionate about the choices we make for these children. When we love something and see our child love something, we tell everyone how great it is. Additionally, when we really dislike something or it doesn't work for our kid, we share that information too. All 3 of us are on twitter, facebook, and as you can see before you ... I also have a blog.
As a mom who blogs, I am no stranger to current news happenings especially when they involve the role of social media. In fact, I actually love to observe the impact these social media platforms can give a few unknown individuals. It's actually quite incredible when you think about it. Some random man or woman starts "twittering" away about their dishwasher being broken for months without response and "bam" 123 Company is calling them to come out and have a look. I've found social media is also a great way to keep up on important safety messages such as recalls or even potential hazards.
I, much like many other people, learned about a possible issue with the Pampers Dry Max Diapers via social media sources. And as a mommy currently using them exclusively on her twin sons, I listened. The stuff being said is both scary and a bit heart breaking. I even found myself wondering if I should switch diapers just to be safe. Further complicating my situation was the fact that I had positively reviewed Pampers Dry Max Cruisers on my blog and even hosted a couple additional giveaway promotions for them. Should I suggest my readers switch brands too?
It is with that background that I accepted an invitation to visit Proctor & Gamble's Pampers Baby Care Headquarters last week. Please note that my round trip economy flight, ground transportation, hotel room, and dinner were paid for in full by P&G. They also provided me with both breakfast and lunch to eat while we were in meetings. I also ask that you keep in mind that my husband took a day and half off from work to watch our children and we did not ask for nor did we receive compensation for his time. Before going I heavily weighed the distinct possibility I would be attacked for this decision to go, but chose to go anyway. I also anticipated being scrutinized for not being bias enough because they paid for my trip and have previously given me a free sample pack of Dry Max diapers. I'll leave that for you to debate, but will say that my bias lies with my children.
Three other mommy bloggers accepted Pampers last minute invitation to visit as well. I had not met any of them prior to this trip, but hope to have a chance to run into them again. Those bloggers are Renee Bigner from What Mommies Need, Kate Marsh Lord from The Shopping Mama, and Tiffany Snedaker from Babes and Kids. We all had a chance to interact a bit at dinner the night before along with some P&G employees.
The next morning we arrived at P&G Pampers Baby Care Headquarters and entered the building through the area they frequently "check in" and "check out" the many local moms and babies who participate in Pampers numerous product studies. It is a fun little lobby featuring a huge fish tank stocked with "Nemo" and "Dori" look-a-likes among others.
We then continued onward to a big meeting room and began discussions. We were introduced to several people, most of which would spent the entire day with us, and we in turn introduced ourselves. They reiterated the reasons why they invited us and in turn we each told them why we agreed to come. Kate Marsh Lord was the only mom there because her child had experienced a severe diaper rash while using Dry Max. The rest of us had concerns on Dry Max safety we wanted addressed on behalf of our own children and for the children of friends and readers.
Back to bias a moment, critics argue in other coverage I've seen on this visit, that we all had a bias towards Pampers before coming and maybe they are right. I've stated my bias is towards the safety and happiness of my children but I get where the critics are coming from, it is clear that I like these new Dry Max Diapers. These same critics have also theorized 200 reasons why no one with a potentially more severe situation was there. Not one of them has mentioned the obvious bias in the other direction as a reason though. Couldn't it be that these parents are currently too bias against Pampers to either agree to come or hear what Pampers has to say if they had come? Isn't it also possible they want to avoid associating with the "enemy"? These are loving and protective moms and dads who think their babies have been harmed by Pampers. They don't want to talk about it rationally, they want to claw out their eyeballs. One would also be remiss not to consider the potential to make money off a lawsuit that has been floating about? Interestingly enough, I've had the one law firm poking all over my site the last couple days. Let's face it, I don't know why those concerned parents weren't there any more than you do. I just ask that you consider both sides of the coin as we speculate.
Your next question is likely, why do they deserve that chance? I propose they deserve a chance for at least a few reasons: For decades Pampers has been a proven and trusted brand. They've stood the test of time and really been there for babies like yours and for babies very different from yours. Additionally, they have an excellent record of giving to charities including Unicef. I won't saddle you downwith all the good deeds they do on a daily basis, but it should be noted there is a plethora of them. Yet another reason is that one of the big features of this new Dry Max Diaper was that it has a smaller impact on our environment. And while I don't have my own talk show or a column in the Chicago tribune, I believe Pampers when they tell me that they truly want to improve the lives of families by making great products. I also believe them when they say they think Pampers Dry Max is a truly great product. If they could be granted one wish by the "PR Social Media Fairy Mommy Blogger" my guess is that they would not just completely wish this whole Dry Max thing away. Instead, I think they would wish for a chance to just have a two-way conversation with parents free from slanted outside influences.
Pampers Dry Max Diaper has been a project they have all worked on for almost a decade in one form or another. I was very apparent to me that the entire crew at Pampers truly believes in this diaper. When I was talking to Kerri Hailey, Associate Director of research and development, about this Dry Max diaper I could see a twinkle in her eye as she pointed out some of the features she and her colleagues had perfected, much like the twinkle she had in her eye when she told me about her kids. Now that's a lot of passion for a diaper. I saw this same level of passion from all the Pampers folks, Jodi Allen, Fama Francisco, Tricia the Community Manager, Liza Sanchez, Leslie Hopkins, Brian McCleary, Mauricio Odio, and many more.
I'm a pretty good judge of character and if this Dry Max drama was as easy as answering whether the people behind the Pampers brand are ultimately "good" or "evil" this may already be over, but it isn't that simple. There are questions being raised as to the design and safety of Dry Max Diapers by various parents. Some of these parents have used social media to draw attention to their various questions quite effectively. I believe these parents deserve to be heard and I've been listening, as best I can tell Pampers has too. How could they not?
In my next post, I'd like to share with you a glimpse of what I learned about the science behind Dry Max Diapers and what Pampers has been doing to respond to peoples concerns. I would also like to share with you how the folks at Pampers replied to my various questions and to yours. Plus, I'll reveal some of the critiques I made of Pampers and some failures I can see they made. Additionally, I spoke with outside sources that include Harvard professor Kim Thompson and noted pediatrician Dr. Thomas DeWitt; I think their opinions on the safety of Dry Max are worth hearing.
I'd like to hear your two cents ... will you listen, or is your mind already made up? Perhaps you think everything Pamper says is "corporate mumbo jumbo" and maybe you think I've been "bought", in that case who would you believe? What person or entity declaring Pampers Dry Max as safe would ultimately be proof positive for you?
Added on 5/29: My two cents on Pampers Dry Max Diapers Part 2
Added on 9/9: CPSC Declares no cause linking Pampers to Rash