Three-piece disposable absorbent article having an absorbent with cross-direction flexibility

A three-piece disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis, comprising:

• a) an elastic front panel capable of being stretched and retracted in multiple directions;
• b) an elastic back panel capable of being stretched and retracted in multiple directions, said back panel being distinct and spaced apart from said front panel;
• and
• c) an absorbent assembly situated between said front and back panels and being attached to each by a first attachment member, said first attachment member being aligned along said longitudinal central axis, said absorbent assembly including a liquid permeable bodyside liner, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a non-elastic absorbent positioned therebetween, said bodyside liner and said backsheet being secured together to completely enclose said non-elastic absorbent, and said non-elastic absorbent is capable of being elongated and contracted in only one direction when said backsheet is stretched and retracted, and that direction is aligned approximately parallel to said transverse central axis.