Millions of babies are born prematurely in the U.S. every year. It’s a staggering number, and an even scarier reality for the parents and the families of the tiny infants.

That said, modern medicine has been able to produce some truly life-saving techniques for these precious preemies, and now a diaper company has done their part to pitch in and help the effort.

Just this year, Huggies released a revolutionary line of diapers called Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie, baby products that were specifically designed for the most vulnerable newborns in mind—those who weigh under two pounds.

Before Huggies’ parent company, Kimberly-Clark, took on the task of producing these new diapers, there was no such product on the market for babies with this ultra-low weight. This presented an unprecedented challenge for the designers, so they consulted NICUs from all across the country to ensure that no detail was overlooked.

The diapers come equipped with premium liners that were specifically made to handle the BMs of infants who might be in a completely different developmental stage than those born at full-term.

In addition, the designers paid close attention to the specific movements seen in nano preemies, a detail which made for the creation of gentle, overlapping fasteners and super absorbent, latex-free material that won’t irritate the babies’ especially sensitive skin.

Why these special diapers have struck a chord

Now, it’s important to note that, prior to Huggies’ line, diaper brands weren’t ignoring this pint-sized demographic. It’s just such a tiny subset that companies weren’t willing to tackle the delicate project without being able to see a return. These little guys and gals constitute an incredibly small group of newborns.

According to research compiled by Stanford Children’s Health, less than 1.4 percent of infants are born with birth weights under 3.3 pounds. It’s a small number, but one that is, unfortunately, on the upswing as risky late-in-life pregnancies and multiple-birth babies become more abundant.

Usually, babies with very low birth weights are born prematurely, with many coming into this world well before the 30-week mark. Sadly, these very special infants are forced to deal with a life-and-death situation right off the bat.

Preemies and these two-pound nano preemies, in particular, face long hospitalizations in the NICU, potential organ failure, an increased risk for developmental disabilities, and even loss of life.

It’s a heartbreaking scenario for their loved ones, but with better public education and tailor-made products—like the nano preemies diapers—on the rise, it’s clear these kiddos are getting a real shot at life.

We’re so happy to hear that families and hospitals finally have an option in diapers for these precious babes! To learn even more about Huggies’ one-of-a-kind Little Snugglers Nano Preemie line, be sure to watch the video below.

We’re curious to hear your thoughts on all things preemie diapers. Did you give birth to a baby with a very low birth weight? If so, did you find diapers to be a challenge? Do you have a special preemie story that you would like to share?