If you’re a regular here, you know that I have the honor of being part of the 2016 Huggies Parent Council.
And if you follow me on facebook or instagram, then you also know that a few weeks ago I got to take a little trip to Chicago (right in the middle of their historic World Series win, no less!) to learn more about the brand’s No Baby Unhugged program.
What is No Baby Unhugged?
It’s Huggies vision to ensure all babies get the hugs they need by helping parents understand and embrace the power of hugs through the brand’s diapers and wipes, new hugging programs in hospitals and continued product donations to diaper banks across the country… and it’s something I’m so, so proud to be a part of.
I’ll be honest, though, I wasn’t really sure what I would get out of the trip to Chicago… You guys, I got so much out of it! It was such a unique behind-the-scenes experience and I left feeling really energized and happy to be involved with a brand that is doing so much for all babies and parents.
Today, of course, I want to share all the cool stuff that I learned. So, without further ado, here are…
The 5 Ways You Never Knew Huggies Had Parents’ Backs
#1 They’re providing NICUs with grants to help fund hugging volunteer programs
For the first part of the No Baby Unhugged program, Huggies is helping give babies the hugs they need, even when moms and dads can’t be there to give them, by funding hugging programs in U.S. hospitals and partnerships with healthcare professionals.
Sounds pretty amazing right? Let me tell you, it is.
I got the chance to tour the first program that Huggies has given a grant to, the NICU at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. What they do at that hospital is truly amazing work and the grant money they receive is used for items like volunteer training and recruitment, hugging chairs, educational materials and more.
So what does that look like?
With the grant, they are training volunteers to come in and give the NICU babies whatever they need when their parents can’t be there. Depending on the situation, sometimes that’s being held, sometimes it’s just being in the room and making eye contact… and sometimes the volunteers are giving the parents the “hugs”- both literally and symbolically – by doing things like listening to their concerns or playing with siblings so parents can have one-on-one time with their baby.
We got to talk with one volunteer who has been doing this work for many years and it was so inspiring not only to hear about what she’s giving to parents in need, but also all that she’s gotten out of the program in return.
And here’s the best part! You can help Huggies give grants to more of these programs!
For every person who signs up to become a Huggies Member, Huggies will donate $5 to support volunteer hugging program grants for hospitals. If you’re interested, go to Huggies.com and click on “Sign in or join Huggies” to get started.
#2 They Make Extra Small “Micro-Preemie Diapers” Especially for NICU Babies
One of the things I quickly realized when I came on board the Huggies Parent Council is Huggies does a lot of work to ensure that the 380,000 pre-term infants born in the U.S. each year get the hugs they need.
In fact, they have partnered with AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) and worked side-by-side with NICU nurses to develop products to be used only by vulnerable NICU babies.
I saw first had that SO MUCH time and consideration goes into the development of these diapers and wipes.
Huggies creates special diapers that are small enough to fit babies weighing only 4 lbs. Check out the photo above from my fellow council member, Nicole of Mom Trends. Yes, that is her phone that is markedly larger than the diaper!
Can I just tell you guys how blown away I was when they described the process of packaging these diapers, and the extreme care that is put into it?
Everything is Done By Hand.
They do not use a normal diaper packaging line for these very special diapers. Instead they have highly trained workers masked, gowned, gloved (and even with anti-bacterial wash over those gloves) come in and closely inspect each diaper for flaws and then hand fold each and every one.
We tried it out and it was so tough to get right!
It takes over an hour for a single worker to finish packing two boxes. When they’re done, they put on this sticker and then each box is put through yet another inspection process.
They are truly leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that these diapers are totally safe and the absolute best thing to be coming into contact with babies’ skin.
#3 They designed the only wipes out there that are made specifically for NICU babies
Just like they create special diapers for NICU babies, Huggies also creates special wipes.
The Huggies Extra-Sensitive Wipes designed for the NICU are softer than other wipes, causing less friction on the babies’ fragile skin and also thicker so that less wipes need to be used.
And although, you can’t buy these wipes in stores, you can buy the Huggies Natural Care wipes which were developed using the same concepts.
Side note: How cool are their durable and stylish Clutch N’ Carry wipes?
#4 They Helped Found the First Nationwide Network of Diaper Banks
The second part of No Baby Unhugged is Huggies mission to help serve the 1 in 3 U.S. moms who struggle to provide their babies with clean diapers. Through the No Baby Unhugged program, product donations help to provide hugs in the form of clean diapers and wipes to babies in need.
The implications of this are so farther reaching than I first realized. For example, day cares and early education centers won’t take kids who aren’t potty trained if they don’t have disposable diapers. That means many parents who don’t have access to diapers (which aren’t covered by food stamps, by the way) don’t have access to the childcare that they need in order to work and support their family.
Here is a video I shot of a representative from the organization Cradles to Crayons, a member of the National Diaper Bank Network, speaking to our group about the impact these diapers can make…
Since the program’s beginning, Huggies has donated over 200 million diapers and wipes, and countless lives have been touched.
#5 They’ve Got Potty Training Method to Help You Get Through It with a Smile
Have you guys seen The Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership yet? It’s a potty training method that actually brings your child into the process as a true partner, tailored to his or her unique personality and how they learn – so smart!
Based on research and observation of personality types in young children, Pull-Ups, along with child development expert Dr. Heather Wittenberg, developed five potty training personalities: the Puppy, the Owl, the Bear Cub, the Turtle and the Squirrel… Because you know kids will absolutely love finding and identifying with their potty training spirit animal.
To find out your child’s potty personality, take the personality quiz at Pull-Ups.com and get tips, tools, advice and even games tailored to your kids’s unique personality.
Huggies® believes deeply in the Power of Hugs. The simple, loving act is proven to support babies’ emotional and physiological well-being. Huggies® diapers and wipes are inspired by a parent’s hug, – to nurture baby with care, cradle baby in comfort and surround baby in protection. Learn more at Huggies.com, #HuggiesCouncil
Get Your Free Printable
Subscribe to our newsletter today and get our free printable... No More, "Mom, I'm Bored!"