Parents with an eye on their pocketbook or concern about the amount of waste generated by disposable diapers might consider switching to cloth diapers or nappies. In the past, cloth diapers meant committing to plastic pants, diaper pins and large squares of absorbant cotton. Today’s cloth diapers are a far cry from their humble roots, and parents may be surprised to learn just how easy they are to use, as well as impressed by the wide variety of styles and materials available.
Types
Contemporary cloth diapers are available in three primary designs. Fitted diapers are made of an absorbent material fashioned into a diaper shape. They may fasten with snaps, velcro or pins, and they require a waterproof diaper cover.
Pocket diapers incorporate a waterproof outer layer in the design, and parents can customize the absorbency by placing different combinations of inserts inside an inner pocket.
All-in-ones look and function just like a disposable diaper. Some also incorporate a pocket so parents can add extra layers of absorbency, but most all-in-ones are simple in design for easy use.
Materials
Modern diapers use a host of synthetic and natural materials. Parents who want their baby to stay dry can select diapers that utilize materials next to the skin that wick moisture, such as microfleece, velour or athletic material. The most common exterior material is polyurethane laminate, a slightly stretchy waterproof material. Absorbency is added to diapers using a variety of fabrics like flannel, cotton, microfiber, bamboo and cotton velour.
Care
New diapers must be washed several times in hot water to strip the materials of any residue and allow the absorbent materials to fluff up in preparation for holding liquid.
Once the diapers are used, solid materials are dumped into the toilet, and the diaper is stored in a dry pail or waterproof bag until wash day. You may want to get a diaper sprayer to make cleaning the diapers easier. The device attaches to the toilet, making it simple to spray off solid waste. To wash the diapers, just use an additive-free detergent on a long, hot wash cycle. Some parents prefer to do a second rinse cycle to rid the diapers of any detergent build-up, and then the diapers can be dried on low or hang dried.
Benefits
According to the Real Diaper Association, Americans use 27.4 billion disposable diapers each year. Disposable diapers are made with materials, such as crude oil, that are finite in supply, and some parents worry about chemicals used in the production of disposable diapers.
Cloth diapers lessen the occurrence of diaper rash in some babies, and allow parents to choose exactly what materials are close to their baby’s skin. Cloth diapers also save most parents a lot of money during the diapering years.
Cost
The amount of money you spend on cloth depends on the system you choose. All-in-ones are the most expensive, while fitted diapers can be as much as half the cost. Your investment also depends on how many diapers you purchase. Since babies use as many as 10 diapers a day or more, you need to decide how often you want to wash diapers.
