Some parents complain new baby diaper is causing rashes
SEATTLE -- Pampers customers across the country are waging an Internet war against Proctor & Gamble's new line of disposable diapers. The new diapers are supposed to be more absorbent but some parents claim they cause mild to severe diaper rash.
Wendy Watkins of Buckley has always used Pampers for her daughter Ava.
"They put them on her in the hospital," said Watkins.
But after two years, Watkins just switched brands because of a case of diaper rash she says was like nothing she'd seen before.
"There were times when I would change her diaper and she would scratch and scratch until she was bleeding," Watkins said.
She says she and her husband went through a laundry list of potential causes, including diet and baby skin care products and nothing made a difference.
"I started to suspect the diapers," she said.
Watkins says the rash only started clearing up once she stopped using the new line of Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max technology. Parents across the country post similar complaints on Facebook, insisting the new Pampers are responsible.
But Proctor & Gamble defends the new Pampers, saying millions of bags of the new Swaddlers and Cruisers have been purchased in the last several weeks alone.
"We're also proud that Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max has received product awards from Parenting Magazine, iParenting Media, Mom's Choice Awards and Parent Tested/Parent Approved," the company said in a written response.
P&G calls the new product the most mom and baby-tested diapers in the company's history.
"More than 20,000 babies from around the world involving more than 300,000 diaper changes were part of the development of Dry Max. This is one of Pampers' most thoroughly researched and tested new products ever," the written statement explained.
To accommodate the continuing string of media inquiries, the company is providing videotaped statements from representatives at its headquarters in Ohio.
"We go to the ends of the earth to make sure that babies are taken care of. It's what we love. It's what we do," said Jodi Allen, General Manager of Pampers North America. "I've been at P&G for 23 years and what we care about is making babies lives better. And so I can tell you we have done everything we can possibly do, to ensure that this product is safe. I stand by it, It's an excellent product and I highly recommend it."
Media Relations spokesman Brian McCleary told KOMO 4 News the company never would have moved forward with the product, unless it was 100% confident about its safety.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the agency has received more than a dozen complaints about blisters, burns and other rash symptoms, which consumers link to the Pampers Dry Max products. Spokeswoman Patty Davis says CPSC is investigating consumer complaints and urges consumers to report incidents with Pampers and any other product, to CPSC at cpsc.gov
P&G meanwhile, has set up a hotline at 1-800-638-2772 for consumers who have questions or concerns.
Wendy Watkins and other parents want Proctor & Gamble to go a step further, and publicly acknowledge that some children may be sensitive to the new product, instead of turning responsibility back on parents.
"It's a logical conclusion," Watkins said. "I don't have solid evidence, I'm not a chemist. But it seems like a coincidence that about a week after we started using these new Pampers, she develops this. It won't go away no matter we do. And then as soon as she stops them, she's fine."
More information:
www.pampers.com
Wendy Watkins of Buckley has always used Pampers for her daughter Ava.
"They put them on her in the hospital," said Watkins.
But after two years, Watkins just switched brands because of a case of diaper rash she says was like nothing she'd seen before.
"There were times when I would change her diaper and she would scratch and scratch until she was bleeding," Watkins said.
She says she and her husband went through a laundry list of potential causes, including diet and baby skin care products and nothing made a difference.
"I started to suspect the diapers," she said.
Watkins says the rash only started clearing up once she stopped using the new line of Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max technology. Parents across the country post similar complaints on Facebook, insisting the new Pampers are responsible.
But Proctor & Gamble defends the new Pampers, saying millions of bags of the new Swaddlers and Cruisers have been purchased in the last several weeks alone.
"We're also proud that Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max has received product awards from Parenting Magazine, iParenting Media, Mom's Choice Awards and Parent Tested/Parent Approved," the company said in a written response.
P&G calls the new product the most mom and baby-tested diapers in the company's history.
"More than 20,000 babies from around the world involving more than 300,000 diaper changes were part of the development of Dry Max. This is one of Pampers' most thoroughly researched and tested new products ever," the written statement explained.
To accommodate the continuing string of media inquiries, the company is providing videotaped statements from representatives at its headquarters in Ohio.
"We go to the ends of the earth to make sure that babies are taken care of. It's what we love. It's what we do," said Jodi Allen, General Manager of Pampers North America. "I've been at P&G for 23 years and what we care about is making babies lives better. And so I can tell you we have done everything we can possibly do, to ensure that this product is safe. I stand by it, It's an excellent product and I highly recommend it."
Media Relations spokesman Brian McCleary told KOMO 4 News the company never would have moved forward with the product, unless it was 100% confident about its safety.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the agency has received more than a dozen complaints about blisters, burns and other rash symptoms, which consumers link to the Pampers Dry Max products. Spokeswoman Patty Davis says CPSC is investigating consumer complaints and urges consumers to report incidents with Pampers and any other product, to CPSC at cpsc.gov
P&G meanwhile, has set up a hotline at 1-800-638-2772 for consumers who have questions or concerns.
Wendy Watkins and other parents want Proctor & Gamble to go a step further, and publicly acknowledge that some children may be sensitive to the new product, instead of turning responsibility back on parents.
"It's a logical conclusion," Watkins said. "I don't have solid evidence, I'm not a chemist. But it seems like a coincidence that about a week after we started using these new Pampers, she develops this. It won't go away no matter we do. And then as soon as she stops them, she's fine."
More information:
www.pampers.com
Learn about changes coming to commenting