Patent Publication Number: US-2020289339-A1

Title: Configurable Absorbent Articles

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/440,012, filed on Feb. 23, 2017, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/351,325, filed on Jun. 17, 2016 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/299,794, filed on Feb. 25, 2016, the entire disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to configurable absorbent articles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Absorbent articles are used to contain bodily exudates (e.g., urine and BM) in infants, children, and adults. Absorbent articles may be used in hospitals for diapering infants, premature babies, and/or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (“NAS”) babies. Premature babies, NAS babies, or other small infants may require special care by nurses and other hospital staff. These babies are oftentimes on ventilators, feeding tubes, or other life support or monitoring systems. In some instances, the babies may be positioned within incubators, also known as isolets. The babies are typically kept in high humidity, sterile environments as they have very delicate skin that needs to be protected. It is important to the health of these premature babies that they not be handled too much and that they are maintained in a very sterile environment. Handling the babies too much may cause them stress. Current absorbent articles for premature or NAS babies are somewhat difficult to use and too large for very premature babies, especially in the crotch region. When the current absorbent articles are folded about their lateral axis, they typically take on a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape, thereby providing a wide crotch region. Additionally, current absorbent articles for premature and NAS babies do not provide superior containment of bodily exudates and skin protection from the bodily exudates. Further, the current absorbent articles do not provide all of the features that premature or NAS baby caregivers may view as beneficial. As such, absorbent articles for premature babies, NAS babies, other babies, and other wearers need to be improved. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides configurable absorbent articles suitable for premature and NAS babies (and other small infants, other babies, or other wearers), while not being limited to any certain sizes or uses. As discussed above, one issue with current absorbent articles is that they are not configured for the specific needs of premature or NAS babies, in some instances, forcing nurses to handle these babies more than the nurses&#39; desire. The configurable absorbent articles of the present disclosure overcome the disadvantages of current premature and/or NAS baby absorbent articles by providing very narrow crotch regions, narrow chassis regions, small overall dimensions, soft skin-contacting surfaces, front and back umbilical cord notches (in some forms to create a reversible absorbent article), front and back reverse umbilical cord projections (in some forms to create a reversible absorbent article), discrete and detachable fastening members (to allow nurses to configure the absorbent articles as needed and have fastening flexibility), one or more wetness guards, and/or low opacity outer cover nonwovens and/or backsheets, for example. The discrete and detachable fastening members may have slots or apertures formed therein, so that tubes or hoses used to aid or monitor the health of the premature or NAS babies may be inserted therethrough without disturbing the baby or without the need for moving the baby. These slots or apertures may also help hold the tubes or hoses in place. Low opacity backsheets and/or outer cover nonwoven materials may be helpful in identifying when the absorbent article needs changed without the need for moving the babies. In some forms, the configurable absorbent articles of the present disclosure may allow for use without any fastening members, owing to the discrete and detachable fastening members. This may be desired by nurses in some instances and may reduce the need to touch or move the baby. Furthermore, the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may also be reversible to allow the nurse to apply the absorbent article as he/she desires or as is needed. Absorbent materials in absorbent cores of the absorbent articles may be homogeneous to allow for reversible use. Further, the absorbent cores may have an extended hourglass shape to help narrow the crotch region and provide for more fit options and leg placements. 
     The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise one or more wetness guards. The wetness guards may comprise one or more liquid impermeable materials, such as films or nonwoven materials, and one or more non-film materials, such as one or more nonwoven materials. The wetness guards may be positioned in areas of the absorbent articles that come into contact with a baby&#39;s lower back, waist, and/or legs, but not be positioned where a crotch area of the baby contacts the absorbent article. The non-film material may face toward the baby to provide comfort, while the liquid impermeable material may face away from the baby. The wetness guards may accomplish at least two functions. First, when a baby urinates, the urine is typically wicked away from the point of entry into the absorbent core throughout the absorbent core (both laterally and longitudinally). This may cause areas of the absorbent pad where the baby&#39;s lower back, waist, and/or legs are to be wet. The wetness guards provide a barrier between the wet areas and the baby&#39;s lower back, waist, and/or legs thereby leading to improved skin health for the baby. Second, the wetness guards may comprise soft non-film materials facing the baby&#39;s skin. As such, the baby&#39;s lower back, waist, and/or legs may rest on a soft, comfortable material again leading to improved skin health. 
     These and other advantages of the configurable absorbent articles of the present disclosure are set forth herein in greater detail. 
     The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a central lateral axis, a central longitudinal axis, a first end edge, a second end edge opposing the first end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge opposing the first side edge, a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis, a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis, and a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable, apertured or nonapertured topsheet. The topsheet may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, or may have hydrophilic or hydrophobic portions or layers. The absorbent article comprises a liquid impermeable backsheet, an acquisition material, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the acquisition material and the liquid impermeable backsheet. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent material. The absorbent material may have a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region. The absorbent material may have a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region. The absorbent material may have a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region. The first width and the second width may be greater than the third width and the first and second widths may be the same, substantially the same, or different. The absorbent article comprises a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges. The absorbent article comprises a first wetness guard in the first waist region. The first wetness guard may comprise a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent article may comprise a second wetness guard in the second waist region. The second wetness guard may comprise a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent article may comprise a removable fastening member comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end, and a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end. 
     The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a central lateral axis, a central longitudinal axis, a first end edge, a second end edge opposing the first end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge opposing the first side edge, a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis, a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis, and a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent material. The absorbent material may have a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region. The absorbent material may have a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region. The absorbent material may have a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region. The first width and the second width may be greater than the third width. The first and second widths may the same, substantially the same, or different. The absorbent article comprises a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges and a first wetness guard in the first waist region. The first wetness guard may comprise a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent article may comprise a second wetness guard in the second waist region. The second wetness guard may comprise a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent article may comprise a removable fastening member comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end, and a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end. 
     The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a central lateral axis, a central longitudinal axis, a first end edge, a second end edge opposing the first end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge opposing the first side edge, a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis, a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis, and a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis. The absorbent article may comprise a liquid permeable, apertured or non-apertured topsheet. The topsheet may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, or may have hydrophobic or hydrophilic portions or layers. The absorbent article may comprise a liquid impermeable backsheet, an acquisition material, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the acquisition material and the liquid impermeable backsheet. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent material. The absorbent material may have a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region. The absorbent material may have a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region. The absorbent material may have a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region. The first width and the second width may be greater than the third width. The first width and the second width may be the same, substantially the same, or different. The absorbent article comprises a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges, respectively, and a first wetness guard in the first waist region. The first wetness guard may comprise a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent article may comprise a second wetness guard in the second waist region. The second wetness guard may comprise a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet and a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The first wetness guard overlaps a first portion of the absorbent core and the second wetness guard overlaps a second, different portion of the absorbent core. The first wetness guard may be a discrete component that is joined to a first portion of the topsheet and/or first portions of the leg cuffs. The second wetness guard may be a discrete component that is joined to a second portion of the topsheet and/or second portions of the leg cuffs. The absorbent article may comprise a removable fastening member comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end, and a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end. The absorbent article comprises an outer cover material joined to a non-absorbent core facing side of the backsheet. The outer cover material or the backsheet may comprise a first graphic in the first waist region. The outer cover material or the backsheet may comprise a second graphic in the second waist region. The second graphic may be a mirror image of the first graphic relative to the central longitudinal axis to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver. 
     The various absorbent articles may be placed in packages. The packages may be sold in arrays or on-line arrays. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the designations are used to designate substantially identical elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example absorbent of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2 , garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2 , taken about line  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example absorbent core for the absorbent articles of the present disclosure having an extended hourglass shape; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of another absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 7  is a left side view of an example absorbent article comprising a discrete fastening member of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is another left side view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure without a discrete fastening member; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure comprising crotch folds created by crotch narrowing joints; 
         FIG. 9A  is a plan view of an example absorbent of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure illustrating crotch notches; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, and comprising two wetness guards; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, and illustrating wetness guards; 
         FIG. 13  a is plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, and illustrating two wetness guard configurations; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, and illustrating two wetness guard configurations; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of an example discrete wetness guard for use with the absorbent article of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, and illustrating two wetness guard configurations; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of how the sleeve type wetness guard of  FIG. 16  would surround a portion of an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view of an example of a discrete fastening member for an absorbent article of the present disclosure, garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of an example of a discrete fastening member for an absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the discrete fastening member taken about line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view of an example of a discrete fastening member for an absorbent article of the present disclosure, garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of an example of a discrete fastening member for an absorbent article of the present disclosure, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 23  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure having umbilical cord notches; 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view of the example absorbent article of  FIG. 23 , garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 25  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure having umbilical cord projections; 
         FIG. 26  is a plan view of the example absorbent article of  FIG. 25 , garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIGS. 27-29  are schematic illustrations of absorbent articles showing graphics and/or indicia, with their garment-facing surfaces facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 30  is a plan view of an example insert positioned on a wearer-facing surface of an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 31  is a plan view of an example insert for use with an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional example illustration of the insert, taken about line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 32A  is another cross-sectional example illustration of the insert, taken about line  32 A- 32 A of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a plan view of another example insert for use with an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 34  is a plan view of another example insert for use with an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 35  is a plan view of an example absorbent article, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective side view photograph of an example absorbent article; 
         FIG. 37  is a plan view of an example absorbent article, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of an example absorbent article; 
         FIG. 39  is a side perspective view of an example absorbent article; 
         FIG. 40  is a plan view of an example absorbent article, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 41  is a plan view of an example absorbent article, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view photograph of an absorbent article with folded over cuffs, wearer-facing surface facing away from the surface on which the absorbent article is resting; 
         FIG. 43  is a plan view of an absorbent article with folded over cuffs; 
         FIG. 44  is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article prior to the cuffs being folded toward the longitudinal axis; 
         FIG. 45  is an example end view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 43  before any tack down bonds are applied; 
         FIG. 46  is an example plan view of an absorbent core of an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 47  is an example plan view of an absorbent core of an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 48  is a top view of an instrument used in the Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test; and 
         FIG. 49  is a side view the instrument used in the Crotch Compression Force measurement Test. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the configurable absorbent articles disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting forms are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the configurable absorbent articles specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example forms and that the scope of the various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting form may be combined with the features of other non-limiting forms. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, the terms “join” and “joined” encompass configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element. 
     As used herein, the term “array” means a display of packages comprising disposable absorbent articles of different sizes having like article constructions. Packages for the absorbent articles have the same brand and/or sub-brand, and the packages are oriented in proximity to each other in a given area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up of products normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) that conveys to consumers that the different individual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, “Pampers®.” In other instances, the arrays may have brands from the same manufacturer, such as “Pampers®” and “Luvs®”, for example. 
     Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across a line-up. 
     As used herein, the term “on-line array” means an “array” distributed by a common on-line source. 
     Configurable absorbent articles that provide improved fit, more flexible application options, narrow crotch regions, bodily exudate containment and improved skin health for premature, NAS, and other babies (or other wearers) are provided herein.  FIG. 1  is a plan view of an absorbent article  10  folded about its lateral axis, garment-facing surface of a first waist region or a front waist region facing the viewer.  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the absorbent article  10  of  FIG. 1 , with the absorbent article  10  laid flat with the elastics extended, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the absorbent article  10  of  FIG. 2 , with the absorbent article  10  laid flat with the elastics extended, garment-facing surface facing the viewer.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article  10  of  FIG. 2 , taken about line  4 - 4 . The absorbent article  10  may comprise a lateral axis  12 , a longitudinal axis  14 , a first waist region or a front waist region  16 , a second waist region or a back waist region  18 , and a crotch region  20 . In a reversible absorbent article, the “first” and “second” waist regions  16  and  18  may be referred to in the claims since the absorbent article can be applied in either direction. The absorbent article  10  may have a first wetness guard  22  and a second wetness guard  24 . In some instances, only one wetness guard may be provided on the absorbent articles of the present disclosure. The single wetness guard may be provided on either side of the lateral axis  12  of the absorbent articles  10 . The absorbent articles  10  may also comprise cuffs  26  or raised barriers for containing bodily exudates so that they may be absorbed by an absorbent core. 
     The absorbent articles  10  may comprise a first end edge  28  on a first side of the lateral axis  12  and a second end edge  30  on a second side of the lateral axis  12 . The absorbent articles  10  may comprise a first side edge  32  on a first side of the central longitudinal axis  14  and a second side edge  34  on a second side of the central longitudinal axis  14 . The absorbent articles  10  may comprise a liquid permeable material or liquid permeable topsheet  36 , a liquid impermeable material or liquid impermeable backsheet  38 , and an absorbent core  40  positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet  36  and the backsheet  38 . 
     The topsheet  36 , the backsheet  38 , and the absorbent core  40  may be manufactured of any suitable materials. Suitable topsheet materials may comprise porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), non-apertured material, apertured materials, apertured nonwoven materials, apertured nonwoven materials that are produced using an overbonding and ring rolling process, or a material having a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Spunbond high loft materials may also be used, whether apertured or non-apertured. The topsheet  36  may have an embossed pattern, graphics, patterned, indicia, and/or three-dimensional features, either along with or instead of apertures. In some instances, the topsheet  36  may be a planar topsheet. In other instances, the topsheet may be a topsheet like that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0250662, to Isele et al., filed on Mar. 2, 2015 or in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0136014, to Arora et al., filed on Nov. 5, 2015. The topsheet may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. If the topsheet is apertured, it may be desirably to have the topsheet by hydrophobic. 
     Suitable backsheet materials may comprise breathable materials or highly breathable materials that permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article  10  while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, bodily exudates from passing through the backsheet  34  (i.e., liquid impermeable materials). Such materials may comprise nonwoven materials, woven materials, films, and/or laminates comprising a combination of one or more of these materials. Other backsheet materials may be non-breathable materials, such as films, for example. 
     One measure of the breathability of a backsheet or backsheet/outer cover nonwoven material laminate is the perviousness of the backsheet or the laminate to the passage of water vapor, reflected by the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of the backsheet or laminate. The MVTR of the laminate or backsheet may be in the range of about 500 g/m 2 /24 hr to about 5000 g/m 2 /24 hr, about 1000 g/m 2 /24 hr to about 4000 g/m 2 /24 hr, or about 2000 g/m 2 /24 hr to about 3000 g/m 2 /24 hr, specifically reciting all 0.1 g/m 2 /24 hr increments within the above-referenced ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. 
     The MVTR can be determined by placing a quantity of a hydrophilic material, such as calcium chloride, into a non-porous, open-top vessel (not shown) having an outwardly-extending flange around the vessel opening. A portion of the material for which the MVTR is to be determined is placed in overlying relationship relative to the vessel opening and is in contact with the flange of the vessel to completely cover the open end of the vessel. An annular gasket and an annular retaining ring are then placed over the material to be tested and are securely clamped to the vessel flange by any convenient clamping arrangement, to tightly and completely seal the periphery of the vessel opening in order that transmission of air or moisture vapor can only occur through the material being tested. The resulting assembly is then weighed to determine the initial weight of the vessel and its contents. 
     After the initial weight has been determined, the assembly is placed in a chamber having a constant temperature (40° C.) and a constant humidity (75% relative humidity). The vessel is maintained under those atmospheric conditions for a period of five (5) hours, after which it is removed from the chamber, wrapped tightly with an impervious film to prevent transfer of moisture into and out of the vessel, and is allowed to reach thermal equilibrium with the ambient atmosphere in which the weigh balance is located. Thermal equilibrium is achieved in about 30 minutes, after which the film overwrap is removed from the vessel, which is again weighed to determine the final weight of the vessel and its contents. 
     The MVTR is calculated by the following formula, which provides the MVTR in g/m 2 /24 hr: 
     
       
         
           
             MVTR 
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                 24.0 
               
               
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     A suitable absorbent core  40  for use in the absorbent articles  10  of the present disclosure may comprise any absorbent material  42  which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining bodily exudates. In addition, the configuration and construction of the absorbent core  40  may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) may have varying caliper zones, hydrophilic gradient(s), a superabsorbent gradient(s), or lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). In other instances, the configuration and construction of the absorbent core  40  may be uniform and homogeneous, such that the absorbent article  10  can be reversible. In such an instance, the absorbent material  42  may be uniform and homogeneous (i.e., not profiled). In some forms, the absorbent core  40  may have an hourglass shape, an extended hourglass shape, or rectangular shape, for example.  FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example absorbent core  40  having an extended (extended about the longitudinal axis  14 ) hourglass shape. In an instance, the absorbent material  42  may have an hourglass shape and the absorbent core  40  may be rectangular (i.e., the core bag is rectangular and the absorbent material  42  has an hourglass shape). The absorbent material  42  and/or the absorbent core  40  as a whole (including the core bag) may have a first width, in a direction parallel to the lateral axis  12 , in the first waist region  16 , may have a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis  12 , in the second waist region  18 , and may have a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis  12 , in the crotch region  20 . The first and second widths may be greater than the third width. The first and second widths may be the same, substantially the same, or different. In some instances, the absorbent material  42  may have the shape illustrated in  FIG. 5  that is then surrounded by a rectangular core bag. 
     The absorbent material  42  may comprise superabsorbent polymers, co-form, foams (including but not limited to High Internal Phase Emulsion foams), air-felt (cellulosic material), or mixtures thereof. In some forms the absorbent material  42  may comprise less than 30%, less than 35%, less than 40%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% superabsorbent polymers, by weight of the absorbent material. In other forms, the absorbent material  42  may only comprise air-felt and may be free of, or substantially free of (e.g., less than 5% by weight of the absorbent material) any superabsorbent polymers. The absorbent material  42  may have air-felt and less than 15% of superabsorbent polymers, less than 10% of superabsorbent polymers, less than 5% of superabsorbent polymers, less than 3% of superabsorbent polymers, or less than 1% of superabsorbent polymers. In other forms, the absorbent material  42  may comprise a mixture of air-felt and superabsorbent polymers (e.g., 30% to 70% air-felt and 30% to 70% superabsorbent polymers). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the absorbent material  42  may be enclosed in a core bag  44 . The core bag  44  may comprise a first substrate  46  at least partially on a first side of the absorbent material  42  and a second substrate  48  at least partially on a second side of the absorbent material  42 . The first substrate  46  may form a C-wrap around portions of the absorbent material  42  and the second material  48  to enclose the absorbent material  42 . In other instances, the core wrap may have any suitable configuration known to those of skill in the art. In some forms, the absorbent core  40  may comprise one or more absorbent material free areas or channels, or substantially absorbent material free areas (e.g., areas with substantially no superabsorbent polymers or air-felt). In this instance, the first substrate  46  may be joined, bonded, or glued to the second substrate  48  in these areas or channels. In other forms, channels may be embossed into the absorbent core  40 . Some example channel and absorbent core configurations are described in further detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,979,815, 9,216,118, and 9,216,116. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the absorbent articles  10  may comprise one or more acquisition materials  50 . The absorbent articles  10  may also comprise one or more optional distribution materials  51  ( FIG. 4 ) either between the topsheet  32  and the acquisition material  50  or between the acquisition material  50  and core bag  44 . In some instance, the acquisition material  50  and/or the distribution material  51  may extend the full width and/or length of the core bag  44 . In other instances, the acquisition material  50  and/or distribution material  51  may extend less than the full width and/or length of the core bag  44 . The acquisition material  50  or the distribution material  51  may have a rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, or an extended hourglass shape, for example. The acquisition material  50  may be used to aid the topsheet  36  in acquiring bodily exudates and moving the bodily exudates into the absorbent core  40 . The distribution material  51 , if provided, may help the absorbent articles  10  distribute bodily exudates above the absorbent core  40 . As an example, the acquisition material may be a nonwoven material and the distribution material may be cross-linked cellulosic fibers, tissue, or another nonwoven material, for example. In some instances, only an acquisition material may be provided, only a distribution may be provided, or neither may be provided depending on the desired properties of a particular absorbent article. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the pair of cuffs  26  may extend at least partially between, or fully between, the first end edge  28  and the second end edge  30 . The cuffs  26  may or may not have one or more elastics  52 . In some instances, if the cuffs  26  do not have elastics  52  they may be pre-strained prior to being joined to the absorbent articles  10  so that they may still stand (i.e., extend upwardly) relative to the topsheet  36 . In other instances, the cuffs  26  that are free of elastics may not be pre-strained. In some instances, only a single pair of cuffs may be provided to aid in helping narrow the crotch region  20 . In some forms, referring to  FIG. 6 , a second pair of cuffs  27  may be provided in addition to the first pair of cuffs  26 . In an instance, the second pair of cuffs  27  may be free of elastics and may or may not be pre-strained. In other instances, each of the cuffs  26  or  27  may have one or more elastics  52  and  53 , respectively. The elastics  52  and/or  53  may cause the cuffs to stand (i.e., extend upwardly) relative to the topsheet  36 . The elastics  52  and  53  may have any suitable length along the longitudinal axis  14 . In a form, the cuffs  26  (or  27 ) may each have three longitudinally extending folds (labeled F in  FIG. 4 ) to allow them to stand and extend a suitable distance from the topsheet  36 . Glue or bonding of the cuffs is indicated at  54  in  FIG. 4 . In other forms, the cuffs  26  or  27  may have any suitable configuration. The cuffs generally aid bodily exudate containment to the area of the absorbent core  40  and reduce side edge leakage. Contracted and/or standing portions of the cuffs  26  and/or  27  may be more prominent on a first side of the lateral axis  12  or the second side of the lateral axis  14 . In other instances, the contracted and/or standing portions of the cuffs  26  and/or  27  may be the same on both sides of the central lateral axis  12 . In some instances, the cuffs  26  and/or  27  may extend the same distance on each side of the central lateral axis  12 . In some instances, the absorbent articles  10  may not comprise any cuffs. 
     In other instances, the absorbent articles  10  may not comprise any cuffs, but some form of raised barriers may be used in their place. A pair of raised barriers may be attached to the topsheet  36 , positioned under the topsheet  36 , or formed from a portion of the topsheet  36  and/or acquisition or distribution materials. The raised barriers may comprise flexible foams, liquid impermeable materials, nonwoven materials, films, and/or other suitable materials. The raised barriers may be “raised” relative to the topsheet  36  and may act in a similar fashion as the cuffs  26  and  27 , thereby causing bodily exudates to remain over the absorbent core  40  such that they can be absorbed by the absorbent core  40 . The raised barriers may have any suitable thickness measured in a direction parallel to the lateral axis  12 , such as 2 mm to 10 mm, for example. In some instances, one raised barrier may be provided and this single raised barrier may fully surround, or partially surround, the absorbent core  40  or portions thereof. The raised barriers may be raised a suitable amount from the topsheet  36  to contain the bodily exudates within the absorbent articles  10 , such as in the range of 1 mm to 30 mm, or 2 mm to 20 mm, for example. Further details regarding raised barriers, including example structures and shape can be found in U.S. Patent Appln. Publ. No. 2014/0171898 to Greening II, et al. The raised barriers may be used with at least one pair of cuffs as well for better containment. The cuffs may be positioned laterally inboard or laterally outboard of the raised barriers. The raised barriers or the cuffs  26 ,  27  may be referred to as “bodily exudate containment means”. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , an outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be positioned on a non-absorbent core-facing side of the backsheet  38 . The outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be joined to the backsheet  38  using an adhesive  56 , for example. The outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be formed of one or more layers and typically may be a soft material. The outer cover nonwoven material  58  may comprise a plurality of bonds, embossments, or three-dimensional features to provide a more consumer appealing appearance or for other reasons. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 1  with a fastening member  100 .  FIG. 8  is a side view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 1  without the fastening member  100 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 1 , garment-facing surface facing the viewer. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 6-9 , the absorbent articles  10  of the present disclosure may comprise a pair of crotch narrowing joints  60  in the crotch region  20 . In other forms, only one side of the crotch region  20  may comprise a crotch narrowing joint  60 . The crotch narrowing joints  60  may be created when a wearer-facing portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  or a wearer-facing portion of the cuffs  26  or  27  (if a second set of cuffs is provided) is joined to a standing portion or other portion of the cuffs  26  or  27  (if a second set of cuffs is provided) or to a portion of the topsheet  36 . The joint may be an adhesive bond, a mechanical bond, a thermal bond, and/or any other suitable type of bond, or joinder. In other instances, the crotch narrowing joints  60  may be formed by joining a wearer-facing portion of the backsheet  38  (or laminate comprising the backsheet  38  and outer cover nonwoven material  58 ) to a portion of the cuffs  26  or  27  or to a portion of the topsheet  36 . In any event, portions of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  proximate to the first and second side edges  32  and  34  may be joined directly or indirectly to a portion of the cuffs  26  or  27  or a portion of the topsheet  36 . By providing these crotch narrowing joints  60 , the absorbent articles  10  are able to achieve a narrow folded crotch width, (“W” in  FIG. 1 ) at or proximate to the lateral axis  12 . This narrow folded crotch width may be especially important for premature babies for a number of reasons. First, smaller babies have less space in between their legs. Thus, the smaller the folded crotch width, the better the absorbent articles will fit them without applying any leg separating forces on their legs, thereby allowing the legs to rest in a comfortable position, such as near the body midline, for example. Second, in a typical diaper, the inner thigh areas of the legs of the baby may be in contact with portions of the cuffs and/or the backsheet. In the absorbent articles  10  of the present disclosure the baby&#39;s inner thigh areas may be in contact with portions of the cuffs  26  and/or  27  and portions of the soft outer cover nonwoven material  58 , thereby providing a more comfortable wearer experience and at times reducing inner thigh chafing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the crotch narrowing joints  60  cause portions of the crotch region  20  to fold inwardly toward the longitudinal axis  14 , when the elastics of the cuffs are at least partially relaxed, thereby creating crotch folds  61 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , these crotch folds  61  provide for the narrow folded crotch width W. The crotch folds  61  also provide the absorbent article  10  with angled portions  63  in the crotch region  20 . The angled portions  63  may have an angle in the range of about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees, about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees, about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees, relative to the lateral axis  12 , specifically reciting all 0.1 degree increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. All angles are measured according to the Folded Crotch Angle Test herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in addition to the crotch narrowing joints  60 , the absorbent core  40  may have an extended hourglass shape with leg notches  62  elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  14 . This feature allows for the legs (“L”) to be positioned at multiple locations within the leg notches  62  to fit different wearers and situations. The legs of a wearer, for example, may be positioned more proximate to a first end edge  41  or more proximate to a second end edge  43  of the absorbent core  40  to suit certain situations or positions of the baby. As referenced above, the acquisition materials  50  and/or distribution materials  51  may have a similar shape or a different shape. The absorbent core  40  may have a width measured along its lateral axis  12 ′ in the range of about 5 mm to about 300 mm, about 10 mm to about 100 mm, about 15 mm to about 75 mm, about 15 mm to about 40 mm, about 15 mm to about 25 mm, or about 20 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The absorbent core  40  may have a width measured along either the first end edge  41  or the second end edge  43  in the range of about 15 mm to about 500 mm, about 20 mm to about 300 mm, about 25 mm to about 100 mm, about 30 mm to about 50 mm, about 35 mm to about 40 mm, or about 38 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. 
     In some forms, referring to  FIG. 10 , instead of the crotch narrow joints being provided, crotch notches  64  may be cut out of the absorbent articles  10 , absorbent cores  40  thereof, and/or other components thereof (e.g., acquisition material  50 ) in areas proximate to the lateral axis  12 . In other forms, the crotch notches  64  may instead be formed in components of the absorbent articles before or during manufacture. The crotch notches  64  may have any suitable size and shape to achieve a narrow folded crotch width. Some example shapes are illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The crotch notches  64  may be formed in the topsheet, the backsheet, the acquisition material, the outer cover nonwoven material, and/or portions of the cuffs, for example. The crotch notches  64  may be used with the hourglass or extended hourglass shaped absorbent cores disclosed herein. The acquisition material  50  and/or distribution material may also be hourglass shaped, for example. The crotch notches  64  may be cut out so that a chassis of the absorbent article is hourglass shaped, or has an extended (along the longitudinal axis  14 ) hourglass shape. 
     The crotch narrowing joints  60  may be an optional feature. It has been discovered that a narrow Folded Crotch Width, in some instances, may still be achieved even without the crotch narrowing joints  60 . This narrow Folded Crotch Width may be attributable to the elongated hourglass shapes of the absorbent core (see  FIG. 5 ) in combination with elastic contraction from at least one pair of leg cuffs  26 , and possibly from two pairs of leg cuffs  26  and  27 . In such an instance, the absorbent article, in a folded configuration, may take on the example shape of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9A  illustrates the narrow Folded Crotch Width as “W”. 
     The folded crotch width, (i.e., W in  FIG. 1 ) measured according to the Folded Crotch Width Test herein, may be less than about 150 mm, less than about 100 mm, less than about 75 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 45 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 35 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 25 mm, less than about 20 mm, or less than about 15 mm, depending on the size of the absorbent article  10 . The folded crotch width, measured according to the Folded Crotch Width Test herein, may be in the range of about 10 mm to about 150 mm, about 10 mm to about 100 mm, about 10 mm to about 75 mm, about 15 mm to about 50 mm, about 15 mm to about 45 mm, less than 45 mm, less than 40 mm, less than 35 mm, about 20 mm to about 40 mm, about 25 mm to about 35 mm, or about 15 mm to about 30 mm, for example, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above-specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. 
     As discussed above, referring to  FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 11 , one or more wetness guards  22 ,  24  may be provided on the absorbent article  10 . In general, the wetness guards  22  and  24  are provided to establish a barrier between the lower back, waist, and/or legs of the baby and portions of the topsheet  36  that are soiled with bodily exudates. A first wetness guard  22  may be positioned on the first side of the central lateral axis  12  and a second wetness guard  24  may be positioned on the second side of the central lateral axis  12 . As mentioned previously, only one wetness guard (either  22  or  24 ) may be provided in certain absorbent articles  10 . In some forms, other wetness guards may also be provided either in addition to the wetness guards  22  and  24 , or in lieu of them. As an example, some wetness guards may extend longitudinally at least partially between the first end edge  28  and the second end edge  30 . The wetness guards  22  and  24  may have any suitable width (measured in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis  12 ) and the length (measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis  14 ). In some instances, the wetness guards  22  and  24  may have a first width and the absorbent articles  10  may have a second width. The first width may be the same as or different than (larger or smaller) than the second width. For example, a wetness guard may only extend intermediate the cuffs  26  or the cuffs  27  and not extend all the way to the first and second side edges  32  and  34 . In some instances, one of the wetness guards  22  or  24  may have a first width and the other of the wetness guards  22  or  24  may have a second width. The first and second widths may be the same or different. In some instances, one of the wetness guards  22  or  24  may have a first length (measured in a parallel to the central longitudinal axis  14 ) and the other of the wetness guards  22  or  24  may have a second length. The first and second lengths may be the same or different. The first wetness guard  22  may have a longer length than the second wetness guard  24 , or vice versa. In some instances, the wetness guards  22  and  24  may have the same length such that the absorbent article  10  may be reversible. The first wetness guard  22  may overlap a first portion of the absorbent core and the second wetness guard  24  may overlap a second portion of the absorbent core. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the first wetness guard  22  may have a first end  66  and a second end  68 . The first end  66  may be positioned proximate to the first end edge  28  of the absorbent article  10 . The second end  68  may be positioned intermediate the first end edge  28  and the lateral axis  12 . Although the second end  68  of the first wetness guard  22  is illustrated as being straight, it may also be concave or convex relative to the lateral axis  12  or may have any other suitable shape. The first wetness guard  22  may be positioned over at least a portion of the topsheet  36  and may overlap or cross the longitudinal axis  14 . In other instances, the wetness guard  22  may be positioned over a portion of the topsheet  36  and portions of the cuffs  26 ,  27  or the raised barriers. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 11 , a first portion  70  of the first wetness guard  22  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the first end edge  28  of the absorbent article  10 . A second portion  72  of the first wetness guard  22  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the first side edge  32  of the absorbent article  10 . A third portion  74  of the first wetness guard  22  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the second side edge  34  of the absorbent article  10 . The joining may comprise using mechanical joining or adhesive joining, for example. The joining may be intermittent or continuous. Through this joining, referring to  FIG. 12 , the second end  68  may be free of attachment to the topsheet  36 , the cuffs  26 ,  27 , and the raised barrier such that a pocket,  71 , is created at least between a non-wearer-facing surface of the first wetness guard  22  and the topsheet  36 . In other instances, the second end  68  may be joined to, or partially joined to, the topsheet  36 , the cuffs  26 ,  27 , and/or the raised barriers, for example. A pocket may also be created by the second wetness guard  24  in a similar fashion as the pocket  71  of the wetness guard  22 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 11 , the second wetness guard  24  may have a first end  76  and a second end  78 . The first end  76  may be positioned proximate to the second end edge  30  of the absorbent article  10 . The second end  78  may be positioned intermediate the second end edge  30  and the lateral axis  12 . Although the second end  78  of the second wetness guard  24  is illustrated as being straight, it may also be concave or convex relative to the lateral axis  12  or may have any other suitable shape. The second wetness guard  24  may be positioned over at least a portion of the topsheet  36  and may overlap or cross the longitudinal axis  14 . In other instances, the wetness guard  24  may be positioned over the portion of the topsheet  36  and portions of the cuffs  26 ,  27  or the raised barriers. 
     A first portion  80  of the second wetness guard  24  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers  56 , the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the second end edge  30  of the absorbent article  10 . A second portion  82  of the second wetness guard  24  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the first side edge  32  of the absorbent article  10 . A third portion  84  of the second wetness guard  22  may be joined to the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38  proximate to the second side edge  34  of the absorbent article  10 . The joining may comprise using mechanical joining or adhesive joining, for example. The joining may be intermittent or continuous. Through this joining, the second end  78  may be free of attachment to the topsheet  36 , the cuffs  26 ,  27 , and the raised barrier, such that a pocket (like pocket  71  of  FIG. 12 ) is created at least between a non-wearer-facing surface of the second wetness guard  24  and the topsheet  36 . In other instances, the second end  78  may be joined to, or partially joined to, the topsheet  36 , the cuffs  26 ,  27 , and/or the raised barriers, for example. 
     In other instances, the first and/or the second wetness guards  22  and  24  may be joined to the topsheet  36 , the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, and/or the backsheet  38  at any suitable locations on a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10 . In an instance, all, or some of the perimeters of the wetness guards  22  and  24  may be joined to the wearer-facing surface. In other instances, all or some of non-perimeter areas may be joined to the wearer-facing surface. The two wetness guards  22  and  24 , if both are provided, may be joined to a portion of the wearer-facing surface in the same fashion or in different fashions. In an instance, one or both of the wetness guards  22  and  24  may be discrete components that are not joined to the absorbent article  10  in a package, but instead are provided as a discrete component. Nurses or caregivers may then position the wetness guard or guards on portions of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent articles  10  as appropriate. The wetness guards  22  and  24  may have a space between themselves and the first and second end edges  28  and  30 . Stated another way, the most longitudinally outward portions of each wetness guard does not have to be positioned on the first end edges  28  or the second end edge  30 , but instead a gap may exist, such as a 0.5 inch gap, for example. 
     The wetness guards  22  and  24  may have the same construction or a different construction. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the wetness guard  22  and  24  may each comprise a laminate comprising a first liquid impermeable material (or substantially liquid impermeable material)  86  and a second liquid permeable material  88 . The wetness guards may also comprise other liquid permeable or impermeable layers. The layers  86  and  88  may be joined together in any suitable fashion, such as through the use of an adhesive  90 . The adhesive  90  may be continuous or discontinuous and may be slot coated or spirally applied, for example. The first liquid impermeable material  86  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials or films or a nonwoven and a film as a laminate. The second liquid permeable material  88  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials or non-film materials. The first liquid impermeable material  86  may face a portion of the topsheet  36 , while the second liquid permeable material  88  may face the wearer or form a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. As such, the first liquid impermeable material  86  may be used to create a barrier between the portion of the topsheet  36  under the wetness guards and the second liquid permeable material  88  to keep material  88  dry and sterile. The second liquid permeable material  88  may be used to provide a lower back, waist, and/or legs of a baby with a soft, dry, sterile, and comforting surface. In an instance, the wetness guards  22  and  24  may comprise only one or more hydrophobic nonwoven materials without a liquid impermeable film. The hydrophobic nonwoven material(s) may be untreated, such that it remains naturally hydrophobic. In other instances, the hydrophobic nonwoven material(s) may be treated to become more hydrophobic. 
     The first and second wetness guards  22  and  24  may form a crotch receiving area  92  in the absorbent article  10 . The crotch receiving area  92  is the area between the two wetness guards  22  and  24  where a baby&#39;s crotch area is positioned when the absorbent article  10  is positioned on the baby. The crotch receiving area  92  between the first and second wetness guards  22  and  24  may be any suitable size (length or width) for a particular size baby. A ratio of the surface area of the crotch receiving area  92  to the wetness guards  22  and  24  (together or separate if only one is provided) may be about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4:1, about 3:1, about 2:1, about 1:1, or about 0.5:1, or may be in the range of about 10:1 to about 1:1, specifically reciting all 0.1 increments of the ratios specified above and all ratios formed within the specified range. The crotch receiving area  92  may have an area in the range of about 25 cm 2  to about 750 cm 2 , about 40 cm 2  to about 500 cm 2 , about 50 cm 2  to about 400 cm 2 , about 50 cm 2  to about 250 cm 2 , about 50 cm 2  to about 200 cm 2 , about 50 cm 2  to about 150 cm 2 , about 50 cm 2  to about 100 cm 2 , or about 60 cm 2  to about 80 cm 2 , for example, specifically reciting all 0.1 cm 2  increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. 
     The absorbent article, when laid flat, elastic contraction pulled out, may have a length, in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis  14 , of less than 500 mm, less than 400 mm, less than 300 mm, less than 275 mm, but at least 100 mm. The absorbent article, when laid flat, elastic contraction pulled out, may have a width, in a direction parallel to a central lateral axis  12  of less than 200 mm, less than 150 mm, less than 130 mm, less than 100 mm, but at least 50 mm. 
     To create the first and/or second wetness guards  22  and  24 , the backsheet  38  and the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may extend beyond the first and second end edges  28  and  30  and be folded over the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article  10 . The folded over portions of the backsheet  38  and the outer cover nonwoven  58  may be joined to the topsheet  36 , portions of the cuffs  26 ,  27 , the raised barriers, and/or the backsheet  38 . As such, the folded over portion of the backsheet  38  may form the first liquid impermeable material  86  and the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may form the second liquid permeable material  88  of the wetness guards  22  and  24 . In other instances, the backsheet  38  and the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may not be joined to a portion of the wearer-facing surface, but instead may merely be folded over the wearer-facing surface. 
     In another instance, the first and/or second wetness guards  22  and  24  may be formed from discrete laminates each comprising the first liquid impermeable material  86  and the second liquid impermeable material  88 . These discrete laminates may be joined to the topsheet  36 , portions of the cuffs  26 ,  27 , portions of the raised barriers, and/or to the backsheet  38 . 
     The absorbent article  10  may have a wearer-facing surface area (the entire wearer-facing surface including areas of the wetness guards) in the range of about 150 cm 2  to about 1,500 cm 2 , about 175 cm 2  to about 1,000 cm 2 , about 200 cm 2  to about 800 cm 2 , about 200 cm 2  to about 500 cm 2 , about 200 cm 2  to about 400 cm 2 , about 200 cm 2  to about 300 cm 2 , about 200 cm 2  to about 250 cm 2 , about 210 cm 2  to about 240 cm 2 , or about 225 cm 2 , for example, specifically reciting all 0.1 cm 2  increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. 
     The wetness guards  22  or  24  may have an area in the range of about 10 cm 2  to about 800 cm 2 , about 15 cm 2  to about 600 cm 2 , about 15 cm 2  to about 400 cm 2 , about 20 cm 2  to about 300 cm 2 , about 20 cm 2  to about 200 cm 2 , about 20 cm 2  to about 100 cm 2 , about 20 cm 2  to about 75 cm 2 , or about 25 cm 2  to about 70 cm 2 , for example, specifically reciting all 0.1 cm 2  increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. As mentioned above, the wetness guard  22  may have an area that is the same or different than the wetness guard  24 , if both are provided in an absorbent article. 
     In another instance, referring to  FIG. 13 , at least one of or both of the wetness guards  22  and  24  may only be attached to the first side edge  32 , the second side edge  34 , and/or a portion of the absorbent article  10  proximate to one of the side edges  32  and  34 , for example. In other instances, the wetness guards  22  and/or  24  may be attached to the outer cover nonwoven material  58 , the backsheet  38 , the topsheet  34 , one of the raised barriers, and/or one of the cuffs ( 26  or  27 ), for example. In such an instance, the wetness guard  22  in  FIG. 13  may be configured to be folded over into the position illustrated in, for example  FIG. 2 . The wetness guard  24  may have a similar configuration as the illustrated wetness guard  22  or may be provided as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The wetness guard  22  (and/or the wetness guard  24  if provided in the same configuration) may comprise a fastener  23 , such as a plurality of hooks or an adhesive, for example, such that when the wetness guard  22  is folded over the absorbent article  10 , it can be joined by the fastener  23  to a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10 . The materials of the wetness guard  22  may be the same as or similar to that described above. 
     In still other instances, referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , one or both of the wetness guards  22  and  24  may be a discrete component ( FIG. 15 ) from the absorbent article  10  ( FIG. 14 ) and may be configured to be placed on the absorbent article  10 , in for example, the positions illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or in other positions as desired by the nurse or caregiver. In some instances, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , one wetness guard  22  may be a discrete component and the other wetness guard  24  may be joined to the cuffs  26  (or  27 ), the raised barrier, the topsheet  36 , and/or the backsheet  38 . The discrete wetness guard or guards may be packaged with the absorbent articles  10  or may be packaged and/or sold separately. The discrete wetness guard  22  (and/or the wetness guard  24 , if discrete) may have a first fastener  23  and a second fastener  25 . The first and second fasteners  23  and  25  may be used to join the discrete wetness guard  22  to a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10  as desired and maintain the wetness guard  22  in position during use of the absorbent article  10 . The materials of the wetness guard may be the same as or similar to that described above. 
     In yet other instances, referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , at least one of, or both of, the wetness guards  22  and  24  may be provided in a sleeve form. The sleeve may be positioned on the absorbent article  10  in a package, positioned separately from the absorbent article  10  in the package, or may be sold in a separate package. Once positioned on the absorbent article, the sleeve may be moveable in the directions of arrows  94  and  96  to allow a nurse or caregiver to position the wetness guard  22  as desired. In some instances, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , one wetness guard  24  may be joined to the wearer-facing surface and another wetness guard  22  may take the form of a sleeve. In some forms, the materials of the wetness guard may be the same as or similar to that described above. In other forms, only portions of the wetness guard positioned over the wearer-facing surface may have the wetness guard constructions described herein, with other portions (i.e., portions wrapped around a non-wearer-facing surface  98  of the absorbent article  10 ) being constructed of other materials, such as nonwoven materials without films, for example.  FIG. 17  illustrates an example of how the wetness guard  22  in the form of a sleeve would surround the absorbent article  10 . 
     The absorbent articles  10  of the present disclosure may have one or more fastening members. The fastening members may be related art fastening members (i.e., taped fastening members) that are permanently attached to the absorbent article  10  in the back waist region  18  and are engaged by fasteners (e.g., hooks) to a garment-facing surface of the front waist region or vice versa. In some instances, a landing zone may be provided on the garment-facing surface of the front waist region  16  for such engagement. In other instances the fastening members may be fully removable fastening members  100 . The fastening members may be stretch panels that may be discrete elements. Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the fastening members  100  may each comprise a first surface  102 , a second surface  104 , a first end  106 , and a second end  108 . The first surface  102  may be opposite to the second surface  104  and the first end  106  may be opposite to the second end  108 . The fastening members  100  may comprise a first fastener  110  configured to engage a first portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  or a first portion of a landing zone and positioned on the first surface  102 . The absorbent article  10  may be free of a landing zone. The fastening members  100  may comprise a second fastener  112  configured to engage a second, different portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  and positioned on the first surface  102 . In some instances, it may be desirable to provide the first fastening member  110  on the first surface  102  and the second fastening member  112  on the second surface  104 , so that the fastener can be folded into a loop to hold a tube, for example. The first portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be in the front waist region  16 , the back waist region  18 , or the crotch region  20 . Likewise, the second portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be in the front waist region  16 , the back waist region  18 , or the crotch region  20 . The fastener  110  may be positioned proximate to the first end  106  and the fastener  112  may be positioned proximate to the second end  108 . In some instances, only one fully removable fastening member  100  may be provided on an absorbent article  10  and the other fastening member may be permanently joined to the absorbent article on at least one of its ends. 
     Since the fastening members  100  are removable from the absorbent article  10 , they can be fastened as desired or as needed by a nurse or caregiver. In some instances, the nurse or caregiver may remove the fastening members  100  from the absorbent article  10  and not use them if the baby is in a certain position, for example. In other instances, the nurse or caregiver may only use one of the fastening members  100  if the baby is in another certain position, for example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-22 , the first fastener  110  and the second fastener  112  may not extend to the perimeter of the fastening members  100 . This may help prevent, or at least inhibit, rough fastener material (e.g., hooks) from contacting or irritating a wearer&#39;s skin. The fasteners  110  and  112  are illustrated as rectangular but may be any other suitable shape, such as circular or ovate, for example. In some instances, it may be desirable to have fasteners without corners to again prevent, or at least inhibit the fasteners from at irritating a wearer&#39;s skin. In a package, the first and second fasteners  110  and  112  may be joined to the first surface  102  so they are at least inhibited from unintentionally engaging other portions of the absorbent pads, other fastening members, and/or other items. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , the fastening members  100  may comprise a first nonwoven or other substrate  114 , a second or other nonwoven substrate  116 , and an elastic material  117  positioned at least partially intermediate the first and second substrates  114  and  116 . The elastic material may comprise an elastic nonwoven material, an elastic film, or elastic strands, for example. The elastic material may be apertured or micro-apertured to promote breathability. In other instances, the fastening members may comprise one or more substrates and may not comprise an elastic material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a middle portion  118  (e.g., between the first and second ends  106  and  108 ) of the fastening member  100  may define one or more slots  120  or apertures therein. The slots or apertures  120  may have any suitable size and/or shape. In certain instances, premature, NAS babies, and other babies are on feeding tubes, corded monitoring device (e.g., heart rate monitor), corded life support device, or the like. These tubes and cords may be positioned through the slots  120  or apertures to help hold the tubes and cords in place. In some instances, the middle portion  118 , or other portions, of the fastening member  100  may be formed of a highly breathable material, such as a highly breathable film, nonwoven, film/nonwoven laminate, or an apertured film or apertured nonwoven material, for example. 
     In some countries, it may be desirable to allow air to flow to the belly button area after birth when a portion of the umbilical cord on the baby is drying out and/or healing. Referring to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , a first umbilical cord notch  122  may be defined in the first end edge  28  in the front waist region  16  and a second umbilical cord notch  124  may be defined in the second end edge  30  in the back waist region  18 . The first and second umbilical cord notches  122  and  124  may have any suitable size, shape, and/or depth relative to the first and second end edges  28  and  30 , respectively. In some instances, only the first or the second umbilical cord notch may be provided. The benefit of having two umbilical cord notches is that the absorbent article  10  may be applied with the front waist region  16  on a front of a wearer or with the front waist region  16  on a back of the wearer. Stated another way, by providing the two umbilical cord notches, the absorbent article  10  may be reversible. The longitudinal axis  14  (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) may extend through the umbilical cord notches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , first sides of the fastening members  100  may be permanently fixed to a portion of the back waist region  18  and may not be releasably joined to the absorbent article  10 . The first side of the fastening members  100  may be permanently fixed to the portions of the back waist region  18  using one or more bonds  138 , lines of adhesives, or may be otherwise permanently fixed. Second sides of the fastening members  100  may comprise fasteners used to join the second sides of the fastening member  100  to portion of the front waist region  16 . Alternatively, the second sides of the fastening members  100  may be permanently fixed to the front waist region  16  and the first sides of the fastening members  100  may comprise fasteners used to join the first sides of the fastening members  100  to the back waist region  18 . 
     In some countries, it may be desirable to cover up the belly button of a baby after birth. Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , a first umbilical cord projection  126  may extend from the first end edge  28  in the front waist region  16  and a second umbilical cord projection  128  may extend from the second end edge  30  in the back waist region  18 . The first and second umbilical cord projections  126  and  128  may have any suitable size, shape, and/or height relative to the first and second end edges  28  and  30 , respectively. In some instances, only the first or the second umbilical cord projection may be provided. The benefit of having two umbilical cord projections is that the absorbent article  10  may be applied with the front waist region  16  on a front of a wearer or with the front waist region  16  on a back of the wearer. Stated another way, by providing the two umbilical cord projections, the absorbent article  10  may be reversible. The longitudinal axis  14  (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) may extend through the umbilical cord projections. 
     The umbilical cord projections may have one or more slots  130  or apertures defined therein. The slots  130  or apertures may have any suitable size and/or shape. In certain instances, premature, NAS babies, and other babies may be on feeding tubes, corded monitoring device (e.g., heart rate monitor), or the like. These tubes and cords may be positioned through the slots  130  or apertures to help hold the tubes and cords in place. 
     In some instances, no umbilical cord notches or umbilical cord projections may be provided on an absorbent article (see e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In still other instances, an umbilical cord notch may be provided on a first side of the lateral axis  12  and an umbilical cord projection may be provided on a second side of the lateral axis  12 . 
     As mentioned above, it may be desirable to reduce contact with premature and NAS babies as much as feasible because of their delicate body and skin. On the other hand, it is also desirable to have the absorbent article on the baby to be as free of bodily exudates as possible to protect the baby&#39;s skin. In instances where the babies are positioned in incubators, conventional wetness indicators may not function adequately owing to the high humidity environment of the incubators. The present disclosure provides a way to solve these issues by providing the outer cover nonwoven material  58  and/or the backsheet  38  with a low opacity. By providing the outer cover nonwoven material  58  and/or the backsheet  38  with a low opacity, nurses are able to visually determine, without touching the baby, whether the absorbent articles need to be changed, thus not disturbing the baby if the absorbent article is not soiled or sufficiently soiled. 
     The opacity of the backsheet  38  may be in the range of about 10% to about 80%, about 15% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, or about 25% to about 70%, specifically reciting all 0.1% increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. All opacity % are determined using the Opacity Test herein. 
     The opacity of the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be in the range of about 1% to about 50%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 15%, or may be less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, or less than about 10%, specifically reciting all 0.1% increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. All opacity % are determined using the Opacity Test herein. 
     The opacity of both the backsheet  38  and the outer cover nonwoven material  58  measured as a laminate may be in the range of about 15% to about 95%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, or about 40% to about 60%, specifically reciting all 0.1% increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. All opacity percentages are determined using the Opacity Test herein. 
     Either in addition to or in lieu of the low opacity outer cover nonwoven material  58  and/or the backsheet  38 , the absorbent article  10  may comprise a wetness indicator  132 , which may be positioned on a wearer-facing side of the backsheet  38  or in other suitable locations. The wetness indicator may be visible from a wearer-facing surface or a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article  10 . Thus, as bodily exudates come into contact with the wetness indicator, the wetness indicator may change colors or appear or disappear to indicate to nurses or caregivers that the absorbent article is soiled and needs changed. In other instances, the wetness indicator may change colors, appear, or disappear based on temperature changes (caused by bodily exudates entering the absorbent article) within the absorbent article  10 . In other instances, the absorbent article  10  may be free of a wetness indicator. 
     The absorbent articles  10  may comprise lotions, ointments, skin protecting ointments, vitamins, anti-bacterial treatments, anti-microbial treatments, anti-fungal treatments, on the topsheet  36 , leg cuffs  26  and/or  27 , and/or other components to promote skin health for the baby. 
     Package 
     The absorbent articles of the present disclosure, in their various forms, may be placed into packages. The packages may comprise films, for example. The packages may comprise indicia, brand names, claims, pictures, and/or graphics, relating to the absorbent articles. The absorbent articles within the packages may have all or some of the features disclosed herein. In some instances, the packages may comprise absorbent articles with different features or sizes in the same package or in different packages. As an example, a package may comprise a plurality of absorbent articles and a plurality of discrete fastening members and/or discrete wetness guards configured for use with the absorbent articles. At least some of the plurality of fastening members may each comprise a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end, and a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end. 
     Arrays 
     The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be sold or displaced in arrays or on-line arrays. The arrays or on-line arrays may comprise different sizes of the absorbent articles or absorbent articles with different features. The arrays or on-line arrays may also comprise the discrete fasteners or discrete wetness guards. 
     Any configurations of the wetness guards  22  and  24  described herein may be used together, for example, a wetness guard that is discrete may be used with a wetness guard that folds over, or a wetness guard that is attached at only one side of the absorbent article  10  may be used with a permanent or discrete wetness guard. Other features of the absorbent articles may be used in combination with any of the wetness guard configurations described herein. 
     Crotch Compression Force 
     The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may have a Crotch Compression Force in the range of about 0.4 N to about 2.5 N, about 0.4 N to about 1.5 N, about 0.5 N to about 2.0 N, about 0.6 N to about 1.5 N, about 0.7 N to about 1 N, about 0.8 N to about 0.9 N, about 0.75 N to about IN, or less than about 2.0 N, less than about 1.8 N, less than about 1.6 N, less than about 1.5 N, or less than about 1 N, specifically reciting all 0.01 N increments with the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. All Crotch Compression Force measurements are made according to the Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test herein. 
       FIGS. 27-29  are schematic illustrations of absorbent articles  10  with graphics and/or indicia  134 ,  136  (hereafter “graphics”), with their garment-facing surfaces facing the viewer. The graphics  134  may be on a first side of the central lateral axis  12  and viewable from the garment-facing surface and the graphics  136  may be on a second side of the central lateral axis  12  and viewable from the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article  10 . The graphics  134  and/or  136  may or may not cross the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article  10 . The graphics  134  and/or  136  may be a single graphic or multiple graphics that form a single image, multiple images, single patterns, or multiple patterns. The graphics  134  may be a mirror image of the graphics  136  (or may be the same or substantially the same), relative to the central lateral axis  12 , to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver or wearer. In other instances, the graphics  134  may not be a mirror image of the graphics  136 , relative to the central lateral axis  12 . Referring to  FIG. 29 , the graphics  134  and/or  136  may be at least partially comprised of brand names, characters, and/or logos. The graphics  134  and/or  136  may be printed on, positioned on, and/or applied to the backsheet  38  and/or the outer cover nonwoven material  58 , for example. If the graphics  134  and  136  are on the backsheet  38 , the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may have an opacity such that the graphics  134  and  136  are viewable therethrough. The graphics  134  and  136  may be on a garment-facing side of the backsheet  38  and/or the wearer-facing side of the backsheet  38 . The graphics  134  may also be printed on, or otherwise applied to, a landing zone in the front waist region  16 . Likewise, the graphics  136  may be printed on, or otherwise applied to, a landing zone in the back waist region  18 . By providing two landing zones, the caregiver is able to recognize that the absorbent article  10  is reversible. The landing zones may be a separate material joined to the outer cover nonwoven material  58  or may be formed by portions of the outer cover nonwoven material  58 . 
     By having graphics  134  and  136  that are mirror images of each other, relative to the central lateral axis  12 , the absorbent article  10  may be reversible. Stated another way, a baby&#39;s (or wearer&#39;s) back waist region may be positioned adjacent to graphics  134  or  136  depending on how the absorbent article  10  is donned on the baby. If the absorbent article  10  is meant to be reversible, the absorbent material  42  within the absorbent core  40 , in some instances, may be uniform and homogeneous. The absorbent core  40  may also be longitudinally centered in the absorbent article to aid in reversibility of the absorbent article. By providing graphics that mirror each other on opposite sides of the central lateral axis  12 , a caregiver will quickly recognize that the absorbent article is reversible. Further, the graphics may indicate where fasteners (e.g.,  110 ,  112 ) may be attached (e.g., landing zone) on the garment-facing surface to provide a caregiver with a guide as to proper application of the fasteners and, thereby, a proper application of the absorbent article  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 30-34 , one or more inserts  140  may be provided for use with the absorbent article  10 . The one or more inserts  140  may be packaged together with the absorbent article  10  or packaged and sold separately. One or more inserts  140  and one or more absorbent articles  10  may be in a kit. The one or more inserts  140  may be positioned within the absorbent article  10  after the absorbent article  10  is donned on the wearer or before the absorbent article  10  is donned on the wearer. The inserts  140  essentially provide an additional absorbent containment element that may be used prior to soiling the absorbent article  10  or after soiling of the absorbent article  10 . The inserts  140  may be advantageous in that the baby or wearer may not need to be fully changed and, thereby, moved or handled less, compared to if only the absorbent article  10  was used. Multiple inserts may be used at one time, so that once soiled the most wearer-facing insert may be removed. In some instances, the inserts  140  may be fastening or joined to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10  or to a wearer-facing surface of another insert using any suitable joining techniques. In other instances, the inserts  140  may merely be placed on the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10  or the wearer-facing surface without some separate attachment or joining mechanism. In these instances, the inserts  140  may remain in place by friction or merely by weight of the baby. In some instances, at least portion of the inserts may have low coefficients of friction to allow them to slide over a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article  10 , when being inserted into the absorbent article while it is on a wearer. The inserts are helpful as full absorbent article changes may be reduced, thereby leading to less stress on (i.e., less movement of) a baby or premature baby. 
       FIG. 30  is a plan view of the insert  140  positioned on a wearer-facing surface of an absorbent article  10  of the present disclosure.  FIG. 31  is a plan view of the insert.  FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional illustration of the insert  140  of  FIG. 31 , taken about line  32 - 32 .  FIG. 33  is a plan view of another insert  140 ′.  FIG. 34  is a plan view of another insert  140 ″. 
     The inserts  140  may comprise a topsheet  142 , an optional acquisition material and/or distribution material  144 , an absorbent core  146 , a backsheet  148 , and optionally an outer cover nonwoven material  150 . The topsheet  142  may be formed of one or more nonwoven materials, one or more films, or a laminate formed of one or more nonwoven materials and one or more films. The topsheet  142  may comprise a liquid permeable material or apertures  152  defined in the topsheet  142  may make the topsheet  142  liquid permeable or more liquid permeable. The topsheet  142  may also comprise three-dimensional features, embossments, bond patterns, lotions, and/or surfactants, for example. The acquisition material and/or distribution material  144  may be formed of nonwoven materials, foams, or other suitable materials. The acquisition material and/or distribution material  144  is only illustrated in  FIG. 32 , since it is an optional feature. Optionally, a layer of cross-linked cellulosic fibers may also be present intermediate the topsheet  142  and the acquisition material and/or distribution material  144 . The absorbent core  146  may comprise an absorbent material. The absorbent material may comprise airfelt and superabsorbent polymers, mostly or only airfelt, or mostly or only superabsorbent polymers. The absorbent core  146  may have areas that are free of the absorbent material (e.g., channels that are free of the absorbent material) or may have areas where the absorbent material is densified (e.g., channels that are formed by densified areas in the absorbent material). The backsheet  148  may be liquid impermeable, and may or may not be air permeable (or “breathable”). In some instances, the backsheet  148  may not be provided and bodily exudates that are not absorbed by the absorbent core  146  may pass through the insert  140  and into the absorbent articles  10 . The outer cover nonwoven material  150  may or may not be provided and may be formed of a nonwoven material, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 32A , in some instances, the insert  140  may have the cross section illustrated when taken about line  32 A- 32 A of  FIG. 31 . In such an instance, the topsheet  142  may form a C-wrap around end regions of the backsheet  148  and be joined to the backsheet  148  using adhesive bonds  149 , or other types of joining. In such an instance, a portion of the backsheet  148  may rest on the topsheet  36  of the absorbent article  10 . Stated another way, a portion of the backsheet  148  may form a garment-facing surface of the insert. An optional acquisition material and/or distribution material  144  may be provided. The insert of  FIG. 32A  may, in some instances, have an outer cover nonwoven material as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 33 , an insert  140 ′ is illustrated. This example insert  140 ′ has a grasp tab  154  on one end and a cut out  156  on the other end. The grasp tab  154  may be used by a caregiver to easily grasp and remove the insert  140 ′. The grasp tab  154 , in an example, may be formed only of a backsheet material, or other liquid impermeable material, so that bodily exudates cannot wick to the grasp tab  154 . In other instances, the grasp tab  154  may be formed of a portion of the topsheet  142 , a portion of the backsheet  148 , and/or a portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  150 . By providing the grasp tab  154  on one end and the cut out  156  on the other end, a material savings may be achieved when the inserts are manufactured in strip of a plurality of the inserts  140 ′. Any of the inserts described herein may be manufactured in a strip of a plurality of the inserts and may be packaged as a roll of inserts, for example. Lines of weakness  158  may be formed intermediate the various inserts. In such an instance, a roll of a plurality of inserts may be provided to a caregiver or nurse and the caregiver or nurse can then tear off any suitable number of inserts for use on a particular wearer. The inserts may also be packaged in stacks, for example, or in other forms. 
     Referring to  FIG. 34 , the insert  140 ″ is illustrated. The example insert  140 ″ may have a grasp tab  154  on both ends to allow for easier caregiver or nurse placement and removal of the inserts  140 ″. 
     In some instances, the various inserts may comprise stiffening members or stiffened portions (e.g., foams, densified regions) to aid in application of the inserts into a donned absorbent article  10 . 
     In some instances, it may be desirable for the absorbent articles to be free of fragrances, perfumes, and/or lotions. In other instances, one or more components of the absorbent articles, such as the topsheet, for example, may be free of fragrances, perfumes, and/or lotions, 
     Referring to  FIG. 35 , the elastics  52  may extend the full longitudinal direction, substantially the full longitudinal direction, or only part of the full longitudinal direction of the absorbent article  10 . In certain instances though, the elastics  52  may only be joined to the cuffs  26  in a joined area  222 . The elastics  52  may not extend the full longitudinal direction of the absorbent article  10  after the absorbent article is separated from other absorbent articles at the first end edge  28  and at the second end edge  30 . In this instance, the elastics  52  may “snap back” toward the joined area  222 . Portions of the elastics  52  outside of the joined area  222  may be free of joinder to the cuffs  26 , thereby not applying elastic forces to areas of the cuffs  26  outside of the joined area  222 . The joined area  222  may be centrally located on the elastics  52  in the longitudinal direction (i.e., a direction about the longitudinal axis  20 ). Stated another way, the joined area  222  may exhibit symmetry with respect to the lateral axis  12 . In other cases, the joined area  222  may not exhibit symmetry with respect to the lateral axis  12  or may not even cross the lateral axis  12 . In this instance, the joined area  222  may be fully positioned on a first side of the lateral axis  12  or may be fully positioned on a second side of the lateral axis  12 . More than one joined area  222  may exist for a single cuff  26 . In a single elastic  52 , one joined area may be on the first side of the lateral axis  12  and a second joined area may be on a second side of the lateral axis  12 . The joined areas  222  may have a length extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  14  of about 0.25 inches to about 10 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 7 inches, about 1 inch to about 6 inches, about 1 inch to about 5 inches, or about 1 inch to about 4 inches, specifically reciting all 0.1 inch increments with the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The certain longitudinal length of the joined areas  222  in a particular absorbent article  10  may depend on the size of the absorbent article  10  and/or the intended use of the absorbent article  10 . The joined area  222  may comprise one or more adhesives and/or one or more mechanical, ultrasonic, and/or thermal bonds, for example, to join the elastics  52  in the joined area  222  to the cuffs  26 . The joined areas  222  are illustrated as a rectangular block for illustration purposes only, and other suitable shapes are within the scope of the present disclosure. The elastics  52  may be under a pre-strain when joined to the cuffs  26  to activate the joined areas  222  when the pre-strain is released. In some instances, the elastics  52  may only extend longitudinally through the joined area  222  and may be pre-strained. The cuffs  26  may be formed of one or more materials or nonwoven materials. If only one material is used, that material may be folded over itself to enclose the elastics  52 . If two materials are used, the materials may sandwich the elastics therebetween. The joined area  222  may be two or more discrete bonds  222 ′ with pre-strained elastics  52 P therebetween as illustrated in  FIG. 37 . The elastics  53 , if provided, may have the same or different features as the elastics  52  described in this paragraph. In other instances, only the elastics  53  may have the features described in this paragraph with respect to the elastics  52 . By providing elastics  52  and/or  53  with one or more joined areas  222 , the absorbent pad may form a U-like shape by bringing the first end edge  28  towards the second end edge  30 . This may provide better bodily exudate containment. An example absorbent article having this U-like shape is illustrated in  FIG. 36 . 
     In other instances, the joined areas  222  may not be provided and the cuffs may comprise a first nonwoven substrate or a first substrate and a second nonwoven substrate or a second substrate. The first and second nonwoven substrates may be joined to each other at different longitudinal pre-strain forces. As such, when these pre-strain forces are released, the cuff may contract and form a structure like the top absorbent article of  FIG. 36 . One pre-strain force in one of the first and second substrates may be negligible or may be zero. 
     Referring to  FIG. 37 , an absorbent article  10  may have cuffs  26  with a certain elastic configuration. The elastics  52  and/or  53  may or may not have the joined areas  222 ,  222 ′ discussed above. The elastics  52  may each have a first bond  224  proximate to the first end edge  28  and a second bond  226  positioned more distal from the first end edge  28  than the first bond  224 . The elastics  52  may also each have a third bond  228  proximate to the second end edge  30  and a fourth bond  130  positioned more distal from the second end edge  30  than the third bond  228 . The elastics  52  may be cut (example cut lines “CL” illustrated in dash in  FIG. 37 ) intermediate the second bond  226  and joined area  222  (or  222 ′) or, if the joined area  222  is not provided, intermediate the second bond  226  and the fourth bond  230 . If the joined area  222  is provided, the elastics  52  may also be cut intermediate the fourth bond  230  and the joined area  222 . The bonds  224  and  226 , owing to contraction of the elastic  52  therebetween, may cause the first end edge  28  to curl or fold over a portion of the wearer-facing surface proximate to the first end edge  28 . The bonds  228  and  230 , owing to the contraction of the elastic  52  therebetween, may cause the second end edge  30  to curl or fold over a portion of the wearer-facing surface proximate to the second end edge  30 . These curled or folded over portions may help contain bodily exudates on the absorbent article  10  so that they may be absorbed by the absorbent core  40  and so that clothing around the absorbent article  10  is not soiled.  FIG. 38  is a perspective front view of a curled or folded over portion of an absorbent article in the front waist region.  FIG. 39  is a perspective view of the curled or folded over portion of an absorbent article in the front waist region. The back waist region may also have the curling or folded over features in the example absorbent articles of  FIGS. 38 and 39 . These features may be used with or without the various wetness guards  22 ,  24  disclosed herein. In other instances, these curled or folded over portions may be used to create the wetness guards  22 ,  24  when they are curled or folded over. When used as wetness guards, the curled or folded over portions may be tacked, bonded, and/or glued to the wearer-facing surface to hold them in place. The elastics  53  of the cuffs  27 , if provided, may have the similar or the same features as the elastics  52  of the cuffs  26  described in this paragraph. The bonds  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  may comprise adhesive bonds, mechanical bonds, ultra-sonic bonds, and/or thermal bonds, for example. One or more tack down bonds  221  may also be present on the absorbent article  10 . The tack down bonds  221  may be used to join the cuffs  26  to the topsheet or to other portions of the absorbent article  10 . Referring to  FIG. 40 , instead of providing the first, second, third, and fourth bonds  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230 , a continuous bond  232  may be provided in at least one end region of the elastics  52 . The continuous bond  232  may function like the first, second, third, and fourth bonds  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  described above and may result in curled or folded portions illustrated in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . The continuous bonds  232  may comprise adhesive bonds, mechanical bonds, ultra-sonic bonds, and/or mechanical bonds, for example. Continuous bonds may also be provided on the elastics  53  of the cuffs  27 , if provided. The elastics may be pre-strained before the continuous bond is applied such that elastic contraction within the continuous bonds may cause the end portions to curl or fold over. 
     Referring to  FIG. 41 , portions of the absorbent core  40 , the absorbent material  42  within the absorbent core  40 , and/or other layers of the absorbent articles may comprise one or more fold lines  233  to allow easier folding of portions of the absorbent articles  10 . The fold lines  233  may be areas with reduced or no absorbent material  42  or embossed areas, for example. The fold lines may be at any suitable locations within the absorbent core  40  and/or the absorbent article  10 . The fold lines may be helpful to a caregiver or nurse when situating the absorbent pad  10  at least partially around a baby, for example. 
     Methods for producing cuffs of the absorbent articles are also disclosed. The cuffs may be made online or by hand. In an online context, a first nonwoven web or a first web may be advanced (e.g., on a conveyor) in a machine direction. One or more elastics may be applied in a pre-strained condition to the first nonwoven web. The pre-strained elastic may have the same machine direction length as the first nonwoven web. The pre-strained elastic may be joined to the first nonwoven web in a plurality of joined areas  222  (e.g., one or more joined areas per discrete cuff length). In some instances, the pre-strained elastic may only be joined to the first nonwoven web in the joined areas  222 . The joining may use adhesives or bonds, as discussed herein. The remainder of the elastic outside of the joined areas  222  may be free of joinder to the first nonwoven web. The first nonwoven web may then be folded over itself to enclose the elastic. In other instances, a second nonwoven web or second web may be positioned over the first nonwoven web and may be joined to the first nonwoven web to enclose the elastic. The second nonwoven web may also be joined to the elastic in the joined areas  222 . The formed web of cuffs may then be cut to suitable discrete lengths. When the web of cuffs is cut to suitable discrete lengths, the elastic in each cuff may “snap back” towards the joined areas  222 , leaving the elastic only pre-strained in the joined area, with the remainder of the elastic being non-pre-strained and not attached to the first and/or second nonwoven discrete webs. The cuffs may then be attached to an absorbent article. Once the cuffs are attached to an absorbent article, the structure of  FIG. 36  may be created. In some instances, the first nonwoven web may first be joined to a moving web comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially therebetween, among other components (e.g., an acquisition layer positioned intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core). In this instance, the cuffs and the moving web may be cut into discrete absorbent articles at the same time. 
     In addition to being joined to the first and/or second nonwoven webs in the joined areas  222 , the elastics may also be joined to the first and/or second nonwoven webs at bonds (e.g., bonds  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  or continuous bonds  232 ). These features may apply in a single web cuff that is folded over itself or to a two web cuff. Also, the elastics may only be joined to the first and/or second nonwoven webs at the bonds and not in the joined areas  222 . In any event, if the elastics are joined to the bonds (e.g.,  224  and  226 ), portions of the elastics intermediate the bonds will remain pre-strained after the elastics are cut intermediate bond pairs (e.g., “CL” of  FIG. 37 ) and after the cuffs are cut into suitable discrete lengths. This may cause the pre-strained elastic portions intermediate the bonds (e.g.,  224  and  226 ), to contract upon release of the pre-strain force and cause the curling or folding of longitudinal end portions as illustrated in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . 
     In some instances, discrete cuffs, like the pairs of cuffs  26  and  27  may not be provided in an absorbent article. Instead, referring to  FIGS. 42-45 , a pair of cuffs  326  may be integrally formed in the absorbent article  10  by folding the first and second side edges  32  and  34  inwardly toward the longitudinal axis  14 .  FIG. 42  is a perspective view photograph of an absorbent article with folded over cuffs.  FIG. 43  is a plan view of an absorbent article  10  with folded over cuffs  326 .  FIG. 44  is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article  10  prior to the cuffs  326  being folded toward the longitudinal axis  14 .  FIG. 45  is an example end view of the absorbent article  10  of  FIG. 43  before any tack down bonds are applied. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 43-45 , the structure of the absorbent article  10  is illustrated. The absorbent article  10  comprises a topsheet  36 , an absorbent core  40 , a backsheet  38 , and an outer cover nonwoven material  58 . The absorbent core  40  is disposed at least partially between the topsheet  36  and the backsheet  38 . Elastics  352  may also be positioned intermediate the topsheet  36  and the backsheet  38  or may be positioned intermediate the backsheet  38  and the outer cover nonwoven material  58 . Portions of the topsheet  36 , the backsheet  38 , and the outer cover nonwoven material  58  may be folded towards the longitudinal axis  14  to create a structure like that illustrated in  FIGS. 43 and 45 . The elastics  352  may only be joined to the cuff  326  in a joined area  322 , much like joined area  222 . The joined area  322  may comprise an adhesive that joins the elastics  352  to the topsheet  36  and/or backsheet  38  (or to the backsheet  38  and/or the outer cover nonwoven material  58 ). One or more tack down bonds  321  (similar to tack down bonds  221  described herein) may also be present on the absorbent article  10  proximate to the first end edge  28  and the second end edge  30 . The tack down bonds  321  may be used to hold the ends of the cuffs  326  in the folded over configuration. In some instances, the elastics  352  may not be provided and the cuffs  326  may “stand” because of the tack down bonds  321 . Any suitable number of tack down bonds  321  may be provided. 
     The tack down bonds  321  in combination with the joined area  322  of the elastics  352  may cause the cuffs  326  to “stand” more than without the elastics  352  and the joined area  322  as illustrated in  FIG. 42 . In some instances, the elastics  352  may be joined to the topsheet  36  and/or backsheet  38  (or to the backsheet  38  and/or the outer cover nonwoven material  58 ) along their full length or along most of their length. Other features, such as the wetness guards  22 ,  24 , for example, of the absorbent articles  10  described herein may also be used with the absorbent article of  FIGS. 42-45 . One or more acquisition materials and/or distribution materials may also be provided at least partially intermediate the topsheet  36  and the absorbent core  40 , similar to acquisition material  50  and distribution material  51  described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 46 , an absorbent core  40  of any of the absorbent articles  10  disclosed herein may have apertures  200  defined therein. Any suitable number of apertures may be provided and the apertures  200  may have any suitable shape, such as round or ovate, for example. The apertures  200  may also have any suitable size. The apertures  200  may all be the same in size and/or shape or may be different in size and/or shape. The apertures  200  may be dispersed uniformly or non-uniformly in the absorbent core  40 . The apertures  200  may make the absorbent core more flexible and allow the absorbent core to fold or flex easier. The absorbent core may be shaped as discussed herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 47 , an absorbent core  40  of any of the absorbent articles  10  disclosed herein may have slots  202  defined therein. Any suitable number of slots  202  may be provided and the slots  202 . The slots  202  may all be the same in size and/or shape or may be different in size and/or shape. The slots  202  may be linear or non-linear, continuous or discontinuous. The slots  202  may extend in any suitable direction. The slots  202  may have any suitable width. In some instances, the slots  202  may not have material removed in their creation, but may only be cut lines in the absorbent core  36 . The slots  202  may be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly in the absorbent core  40 . The slots  202  may make the absorbent core  40  more flexible and allow the absorbent core  40  to fold or flex easier. The absorbent core may be shaped as discussed herein. 
     Test Methods 
     For all test methods, condition the samples at 23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing. 
     Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test 
     The Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test is measured using a horizontally oriented constant rate of extension tensile tester ( FIGS. 48 and 49 ) with a computer interface (a suitable instrument is a horizontally oriented MTS Criterion 42 interfaced with a computer running TestWorks 4 software, as available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn.) using an S-beam type load cell, with moment or off-axis side load cancelling capabilities, for which the forces measured are within 10% and 90% of the limit of the cell. Two vertically oriented cylindrical posts ( 1001  and  1002 ), each with a diameter of 7.0 mm, are utilized to compress the sample. One post is affixed to the moveable crosshead ( 1003 ), and the other is affixed to a moveable sled ( 1004 ) as part of the stationary test fixture. The absorbent article sample is suspended between the vertical compression posts. The posts are then simultaneously brought together, compressing the crotch region of the sample, simulating the compression at the crotch region of an absorbent article from the legs of the wearer during normal use. During the experiment the instrument collects force and distance data. All testing is performed in a conditioned room maintained at about 23° C.±2 C and about 50%±2% relative humidity. 
     Accurately align the vertical compression posts so that they are vertically parallel to each other and are horizontally aligned along the central axis of the instrument&#39;s moveable fixture travel path. One post is affixed to the moveable crosshead, and the other is affixed to a moveable sled on the stationary fixture. By way of a pulley and cable system ( 1005 ), as the crosshead travels toward the stationary fixture it causes the sled affixed to the stationary fixture to simultaneously travel at the same rate toward the crosshead. This allows the two compression posts to travel in a linear path toward each other during the experiment. 
     Remove the individual samples from any outer packaging, and allow them to precondition at about 23° C.±2 C.° and about 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing. Open the sample and secure the middle 50 mm of the front and back waist edges to either side of a 25.4 mm wide support bar, so that the crotch region of the sample is suspended in a “U” shape between the compression posts. The sample is centered between the compression posts and aligned so that the crotch region will be laterally compressed during the experiment. Separate the compression posts so that the interior gap between them is wide enough to not initially touch either side of the sample prior to testing. The suspended sample is lowered into position for testing, so that the bottom of the crotch region is 15 mm below the top of the compression posts. 
     Program the tensile tester to perform a compression test, collecting force and extension data at an acquisition rate of 50 Hz as the crosshead travels at a rate of 120 mm/min, which equates to the compression posts moving toward each other at a rate of 240 mm/min, until the gap between the compression posts is equal to 20 mm. Zero the load cell; start the tensile tester and the data acquisition. Program the software to record the force when the interior gap between the compression posts is equal to 20 mm to the nearest 0.001 N. Repeat this procedure for 10 substantially similar samples. Average together the 10 individual Crotch Compression Force measurements and report the value nearest 0.001 N. 
     Opacity Test 
     Separate the outer cover nonwoven material and backsheet from the absorbent article samples using cryogenic spray. 
     Opacity by contrast ratio measurements are made using a 0°/45° spectrophotometer suitable for making standard CIE L*a*b* color measurements (e.g., Hunterlab Labscan XE spectrophotometer, Hunter Associates Laboratory Inc., Reston Va. or equivalent). The diameter of the instrument&#39;s measurement port should be chosen such that only the region of interest is included within the measurement port. Analyses are performed in a room controlled at about 23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2% relative humidity. 
     Calibrate the instrument per the vender instructions using the standard black and white tiles provided by the vendor. Set the spectrophotometer to use the CIE XYZ color space, with a D65 standard illumination and 10° observer. Using cryogenic spray and scissors carefully excise the specimen from the article for testing. The region of interest is selected from the crotch region near the longitudinal centerline of the chassis excluding significant wrinkles, creases, or wetness indicators. Place the specimen flat against the instrument with the outward facing surface toward the spectrophotometer&#39;s measurement port and the region of interest within the port. Ensure that no tears, holes or apertures are within the measurement port. Place the white standard tile onto the opposing surface of the specimen such that it completely covers the measurement port. Take a reading for XYZ and record to 0.01 units. Without moving the specimen, remove the white plate and replace it with the black standard plate. Take a second reading for XYZ and record to 0.01 units. Repeat this procedure at a corresponding site for a total of ten (10) replicate specimens. 
     Opacity is calculated by dividing the Y value measured using the black tile as backing, divided by the Y value measured using the white tile as backing, then multiplying the ratio by 100. Record the opacity value to the nearest 0.01%. Calculate opacity for the 10 replicates and report the average opacity to the nearest 0.01%. 
     Folded Crotch Width Test 
     The Folded Crotch Width (W) (see  FIG. 1 ) is measured by folding an absorbent article sample so that the front and back waist edges are aligned, and so that corresponding lateral edges are aligned with each other. Using a calibrated ruler certified by NIST, measure and record the lateral width of the outer surface of the sample along the fold to the nearest 0.1 mm. Repeat this procedure for 10 substantially similar absorbent articles samples. Average together the 10 individual Folded Crotch Width (W) measurements and report the value nearest 0.1 mm. 
     Folded Crotch Angle Test 
     The Folded Crotch Angle (A) (see  FIG. 1 ) is measured by folding an absorbent article sample so that the front and back waist edges are aligned, and so that corresponding lateral edges are aligned with each other. Using a calibrated protractor certified by NIST measure, and record the angles (A) of the two angled portions  63  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the sample relative to the lateral axis of the folded sample to the nearest 0.1 degrees. Repeat this procedure for 10 substantially similar absorbent article samples. Average together the 20 individual Folded Crotch Angle (A) measurements and report the value nearest 0.1 degrees. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.