Transforming NICU Care Through Innovation, Insight, and Partnership
By Amy Wiford, BSN, RN, NTMNC, ANLC-N
Nearly ten years ago, I made the challenging decision to change the course of my nursing career. After a decade of providing care for patients in the neonatal ICU and leading NICU nursing teams, I transitioned into a Research & Development role at Procter & Gamble, contributing to the Pampers Professional business. In this capacity, I continue to support the same patient population and the nurses who care for them—albeit in a different and impactful way.
One of the primary ways I continue to engage with and support the neonatal community is through product research and development. I devote significant time collaborating directly with neonatal healthcare professionals to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges as providers, as well as the specific needs of their patients. The invaluable insights they share—typically gathered through focus groups and on-site hospital meetings—enable me to guide our skilled product designers in developing clinically supportive, evidence-based solutions. A recurring theme that emerged during these sessions was the pressing need for a smaller-sized diaper.
The Need
Since Pampers introduced the first preemie diaper over 50 years ago, NICUs have shown an increase in the range of gestational age admissions. 2024 statistics showed a 388% increase in 22-week NICU admissions compared with 2008, showing incredible advancements in this space1.
The Solution
Fast forward to 2026 and Pampers proudly introduced the newest and smallest member of Pampers Preemie Collection: Preemie extra, extra small (Pxxs). More than a smaller version of a Pampers diaper, Pxxs is specifically designed for the unique challenges of infants born less than 500 grams. The creation and optimization of Swaddlers Pxxs represents a significant advancement in neonatal care products designed specifically for extremely premature and low birth weight infants.
Swaddlers size Pxxs are Designed with NICU Professionals to Support Development
Unique pre-formed shape supports:
- Efficient application for less disruption
- Adjustable fit against extremely premature skin
Customizable Fit
Dual-ended tabs can be relocated and re-fastened anywhere to accommodate:
- CPAP belly
- Surgical sites
- UAC/UVC lines
- Umbilical cord
- Varying abdominal girth – Teal colored fasteners allow for easy application in dim-lighting with minimal disruption to baby.
Supports Uninterrupted Sleep
Pampers Swaddlers Size Pxxs supports up to 6 hours of absorbency for uninterrupted sleep. This helps support baby’s development and reduces the burden on NICU staff who would otherwise have to check the diaper before the scheduled care time.
Safety Promise
We are committed to supporting every baby’s journey – improving and innovating so they get the very best start in life.
- Hypoallergenic
- Free of elemental chlorine, parabens, and natural rubber latex
- Dermatologically endorsed by Skin Health Alliance
The development of Swaddlers Pxxs exemplifies how incorporating input from neonatal healthcare professionals throughout product design and testing phases leads to superior product performance and acceptance in NICU settings. Through their clinical expertise, hands-on feedback, and ongoing collaboration, neonatal healthcare professionals ensured that the product would be appropriately sized, gentle on fragile skin, and remain highly functional for use in complex neonatal care environments.
This synergy between industry and clinical care professionals ultimately allows for better clinical outcomes, improved patient comfort, and enhanced caregiver satisfaction, setting a high standard for future neonatal product innovations.
About the Author
Amy Wiford, BSN, RN, NTMNC, ANLC-N is equipped with 10 years of experience as a NICU nurse leader, which uniquely prepared her for her current position as a Pampers Nurse Specialist on the Global Pampers Research & Development team. Amy’s perspective evolved again in 2020 when she went from being a NICU nurse to being a NICU mother. Her expertise in neonatal and preemie care has inspired her to share her impactful story and knowledge with professionals across the healthcare spectrum.
Citations
- rysavy_2024_oi_240014_1707862137.93308.pdf JAMA Article: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Resource Use for Infants at 22 Weeks’ Gestation in the US, 2008-2021 New York University. (n.d.). Preterm births: NYU Langone Health research highlights disparities in care. [Cited 2024 Oct 4]. Available from: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/september/preterm-births.html
Pampers Professional
The material presented in this blog represents the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of Synova Associates. Synova Associates does not endorse any specific products or organizations but strives to connect its industry partners with leaders interested in product/educational innovation.
