A disposable diaper having front and rear augmented waistband zones having a specified size and stiffness is disclosed. For relatively thinner, less bulky diapers of currently marketed designs, providing augmented waistband zones is believed to reduce mental and physical effort for the caregiver in application of the diaper. The augmented waistband zones provide a robust-feeling structure proximate the waist edges, which the caregiver may grasp at front and rear to adjust the diaper on the wearer. Caregiver perception of a need to reach deeper into the diaper structure to grasp it at a thicker area to tug at it is believed to be reduced.
