Disposable nappies have been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that they really gained traction in South Africa. It might seem like most mothers and caregivers use them as the standard today, but there was once a time when parents used cloth diapers or other less conventional methods to keep their babies dry and clean. Look at this article to learn more about the long history of disposable nappies in South Africa, how they came about, and why they’ve become so popular among moms today.
Diapers before 1920 in South Africa
Although the first disposable nappy was created by a Swedish company in the 1930s, it wasn’t until after World War II that disposable nappies became more common. It’s believed this is because disposable nappies are much easier to use than cloth ones and were popularized by companies such as Procter & Gamble. They gained popularity quickly and now there are many brands available on the market today. From babies who need a good night’s sleep without worrying about leaks to parents who want less laundry, disposable nappies seem like the ideal solution for busy families!
Huggies Launches in South Africa
In 1994, over thirty years after disposable nappies were first invented, Kimberly-Clark launched Huggies in South Africa. The company’s diaper brands sold well and by 2002 they had captured 20% of the market share. But Kimberly-Clark faced a major problem when Procter & Gamble launched Pampers just two months later. Pampers took the lead and Huggies struggled to regain control of the market.
UNICEF Helps Out
On average, a baby will use about 8,000 disposable nappies from birth to potty training. The first disposable nappy was invented by Marion Donovan in the US and then patented by Kimberly-Clark. It was launched into the world with a lot of fanfare on April Fool’s Day 1987. In South Africa, they introduced disposables in 1992 – two years after Kenya became the first country on the continent to use them.
