Huggies has developed a new diaper for the smallest babies – Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers. Made explicitly for babies weighing less than two pounds (900 grams) and specially-designed to protect the delicate skin of premature babies, these diapers also promote healthy growth and development. The new diaper is part of No Baby Unhugged, Huggies promise to ensure babies get the hugs they need to thrive.

Fewer than 1.4% of babies born each year fit this category, and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) have lacked a diaper solution specifically designed for this fragile population. Responding to this unmet need, Huggies worked closely with NICU nurses and neonatal therapists to develop a solution.

"We're passionate about helping all babies thrive, especially the smallest and most fragile. This Huggies diaper reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver innovative solutions for the NICU," says Eleonora Daireaux, vice president, Huggies North America at Kimberly-Clark. "After hearing of the need for a diaper that meets the special requirements of these babies, our expert teams in skin science, research, product safety and manufacturing were inspired. Knowing every second counts for these babies, the team acted quickly to bring Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers from concept to launch in hospitals in just six months."

The process to create Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers included intensive research and design optimization, as well as interviews with nurses and neonatal therapists to ensure the design provided optimal fit for healthy growth and development. The diaper features gentle, specially-sized fasteners and a narrow, absorbent pad to provide a flexible fit so that baby can be comfortably positioned in a fetal tuck, with arms and legs close to the body. The soft, smooth liner and gentle leg gathers offer leakage protection without irritating fragile, underdeveloped skin.

"Good-fitting diapers are important to the healthy growth and development of our smallest patients," says Anjanette Lee, MS, CCC/SLP, NTMTC, an infant development specialist at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas, one of nine Level III and Level IV NICUs that tested the new diaper. "In our experience, we found Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers conformed to the baby's bottom without gapping or limiting leg movement. The thinner fasteners and less material at the waist provided a good fit for baby while still protecting their fragile skin."

Every Huggies Little Snugglers Nano and Micro Preemie Diaper goes through a rigorous inspection process, including a 40-point hand inspection, and are individually folded and hand-packed with care for these vulnerable babies.

Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diapers are the latest in a portfolio of products designed for the NICU, including Huggies Little Snugglers Micro Preemie Diapers and Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Wipes, the first and only baby wipe developed specifically for premature baby skin.