My gosh diapers cost a fortune these days. To cut costs, we often try out new brands when I am able to stock up on diapers purchased cheaply (relatively) by combining store sales and manufacturer coupons. Having tried most of what's out there, I have to say that given my choice the brand that I will purchase is Pampers, and the style is Custom Fit Cruisers.

Previously, our diaper of choice was called Pampers Premium Custom Fit. But, one day last winter they decided to change that all and came out with a "new and improved" line of products under their premium line. If you are unfamiliar with Pampers products. Currently they have two lines of diapers - Baby Dry in the green package, and their "premium" line in the purple package. The premium line has since been divided into 3 stages (Swaddlers, Cruisers, and Easy Ups).

Size & Cost Analysis
Cost
Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers can be purchased by the Jumbo package, which is approximately 1 week of diapers, or the mega package which is approximately 2 weeks worth of diapers, or in a bulk package/box. We'll purchase the jumbo pack if shopping at the grocery store, mega package from someplace like Wal-mart, or the bulk box from Sams club or BJ's wholesale (which is the best deal).

Diaper companies are notorious for the following type of sizing and costing, and Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers are no different. As the size of the diaper goes up, they include less diapers per package for the same amount of money. So, as your child gets bigger you are getting less diapers but paying more for them.

Based on a Jumbo size package which typically sells for around $12.99:

-Size 3 for 16-28 pounds, 41 per package, 32 cents each
-Size 4 for 22-37 pounds, 37 per package, 35 cents each
-Size 5 for 27+ pounds, 33 per package, 39 cents each
-Size 6 for 35+ pounds, 30 per package, 43 cents each

As you can see, using this brand of diapers can be costly. This is why I rely on manufacturer coupons provided in both the Sunday paper inserts as well as sent directly from Proctor & Gamble. If you go to Pampers.com you can register and they will send you $10 worth of coupons to start off with and then more coupons every few months. Recently, I received sample packages of both these Custom Fit Cruisers and Easy Ups as a result of being registered with Pampers. Using these high value coupons of $1-$2 off per package substantially reduces the cost per diaper, and will often make these diapers competitively priced to the store and generic brands.

Size
My son is currently 29 pounds and takes either a size 4 or 5 diaper. With most brands of diapers, I have graduated him into a 5 since I think it fits him better and results in less leakage. I've found that using disposable diapers, my son needs to go up a size well before he is out of the current weight range. When comparing the sizing of Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers to other brands, I've found that they are more generously cut to accomodate larger babies. While my son most definitely needs a size 5 in Huggies, Luvs or generics he can still fit in a size 4 in this brand without a problem. Usually I do end up getting a size 5 which is roomier and results in a better fit for us - meaning less blow outs.

Features

Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers have a cloth-like cover like most of the disposable diapers on the market. In comparison to Huggies, these diapers are much less papery in feeling and certainly less stiff or rigid. I think that Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers have a much nicer feel to them from the perspective of the one who does the diapering, so I can only imagine they probably feel much better from the perspective of the one who wears them also as they are not plasticky or cardboard-like in the least.

Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers feature Sesame Street patterns on the front waistband in bright colors making them cute to look at, and fun for kids at changing time too. We are big fans of Elmo in this house, and like having him on our diaper of choice. The waistband also includes the size of the diaper in a small circle.

What sets Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers apart from other diapers is their super-stretch sides. The area that would normally just be the velcro-closure tab is attached to an elastic like panel which allows the diaper to be securely fastened with no gaps or gathers. Pampers claims that this extra stretchy material allows the diaper to move with your baby. Because the diaper is less bulky, this is particularly helpful for babies who are crawling, cruising, and toddling about.

As mentioned above, Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers close with velcro-closures, which is becoming the norm for disposable diapers these days. Velco tabs make fastening and refastening the diaper easier to get it fitting "just-so". They also make it easier to peek in and see if a diaper needs changing and to be able to seal it back up again if need be. Additionally, if you happen to get some diaper creme or ointment on the velcro tab, it will still be able to fasten shut - where the old sticky tabs would become useless in this situation. Unfortunately, with all the plusses of velcro-tabs also comes a bit of a negative also. My son can open up and remove one of these diapers in about 2 seconds flat. This has presented us a bit of a challenge as far as dressing him so that he can't access the diaper tabs easily. But this "problem" for us affects all brands of diapers not just Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers.

Effectiveness

Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers are built with a special super-absorbent core that is made to lock away wetness. When your child goes pee in one of these diapers it draws the moisture away from your kid's skin and into the core of the diaper. When you take the diaper off, you'll notice that your childs skin is not wet, even if they have wet the diaper. Touching the diaper, you'll feel that the diaper isn't wet either - all the moisture is actually inside the diaper. As the diaper gets peed in, the inside material will expand and turn into a gel-like material. I do notice that as my son (who is a heavy wetter) wets in his diaper it becomes puffy and even a bit smushy - this is a sure sign that he needs changing. When I remove these diapers, I'm often amazed at just how heavy they are. Wow! Some of them I swear must weigh about 5 pounds.

Using Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers, I haven't noticed the gel-like material or beads develop on my son's skin which is actually a residue from the diaper itself being left behind on his skin. This has been a problem for us with some other brands but has not been a problem with Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers. Though Pampers states on the packaging that this might occur, its never been a problem for us.

Using Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers my son has been relatively diaper-rash free. His skin is quite sensitive and we change his diaper frequently so as to avoid contact with any wetness. Because of the way these diapers are designed they keep his skin dry even if he is wearing one of these during a nap, a long car ride, or overnight. Even though Pampers includes some strips of lotion on the inside of the diaper itself I still use and apply various diaper cremes, ointments and powders to protect my son's skin. Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers do include some mild ingredients to help prevent rashes - these are petrolatum, Stearyl Alcohol and Aloe Extract. If you or your child has a sensitivity to any of these, stear clear of Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers.

When we use Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers we have significantly less leaks and less diaper blow-outs, than with other brands. I think that a big part of this can be attributed to the diaper fitting securely with no gaps around the leg area as well as the waistband. The extra elastic gatherings keep the diaper securely in place with less sagging. I've noticed that these diapers are longer than other brands by at least an 1-2 inches. This longer rise takes a bit of getting used to when you are putting the diaper on, but in the long run it means less chances of poopy or wet mess overflowing the top of the diaper or leaking down the sides. I'll take less mess anyday!

Overall
When given the choice of any diaper to purchase, we now opt for Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers. Comparing the fit, function, and performance this one out performs all other brands we've tried. The only downside of the product being its cost - which is a sad fact of life about diapering in general. Thankfully, coupons for this brand are plentiful and using them makes this brand competitively priced. All the more reason that Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers have become our diaper of choice.


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