I love companies with a social conscience. Apparently Pampers (and its manufacturers Procter and Gamble) is one of them. Together with UNICEF, Pampers is running the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine program. Every pack of specially marked diapers and wipes sold translates to 1 tetanus vaccine donated to the UNICEF. The program has been running for tow years now and has provided more than 40 million vaccines for UNICEF to be used all over the world, most especially in impoverished areas.

Of all vaccines, tetanus was chosen because newborn tetanus is a major health problem in low- and middle income countries, and causes more than 140,000 deaths each year. A woman who receives the vaccine during pregnancy actually passes the protection against tetanus to her newborn, making the disease preventable.

The vaccine program is an ongoing worldwide campaign but it is not the only charity work in which Pampers is involved.

Even here in Europe, Pampers is actively campaigning for the program as I saw at the supermarket the other day. What a shame that they started the campaign long after my children were potty-trained. With my twins’ consumption of diapers, we could have provided a couple hundred more vaccines.

I am definitely older and, it seems, wiser with our new baby than I was 10 years ago when our older boys were babies.

The first time around I stuck with one brand of diapers and refused to sway, despite the fact that my oldest son had frequent diaper rash. I did try using different diaper ointments but for some reason it never occurred to me that the diapers I was using might have been irritating my son’s skin.

With our current baby, I quickly came to the conclusion that he does best with Pampers Swaddlers. I have stuck with them but have found a way to balance things out and save a little money. When we’re out and at night, I always use the Pampers. At home, during the day, it’s easier to change his diaper frequently, so I use a less expensive off-brand or store brand.

Another tip I’ve come up with is how to warm bottles with liners. They are not supposed to be warmed in a bottle warmer. What to do with my handy bottle warmer then, when I discover that baby’s bottle of choice is Playtex Drop-ins?

Simple! I just use a regular plastic bottle (BPA-free, of course!) for warming baby’s formula, then pour the contents into a Playtex Drop-ins bottle. It’s a little more work but it works for us!

The convenient aspect of bottles with liners is that a bottle instantly becomes clean when you replace the liner (and rinse out the nipple). If I’m going out for several hours, I bring one bottle with extra liners.

I have discovered that the formula my son is drinking comes in handy 8 oz. cans-perfect when we’re on the go! (Of course, I wish I were able to breastfeed, and although I remember it taking its toll on me when my older boys were babies, it was convenient to always have my own milk ready and available at a moment’s notice).

Overall, I can say that it is very interesting going back for this ’second round’ (well, technically, third round) of mothering a baby. It has given me the chance-a second chance- to do some things differently from when my older boys were little. It has, at times been stressful, but I need to just remind myself that this is it: one last time to watch a baby’s growth and development. Seeing his first smile was amazing, and now he’s starting to laugh. I’m looking forward to many more ‘firsts’ as he continues to grow so quickly.