Choosing a nappy for your baby can be a daunting task especially for first-time parents. Stores aisles are lined with different types of nappies from a host of manufactures. With so many options available make sure you see through the advertising and find a nappy to suit both your baby and your lifestyle.
Traditional Cloth Nappies
Traditional cloth nappies are also known as flat nappies or square nappies. They have been used for decades and are still popular among parents. Cloth nappies are usually made from Chinese cotton or Indian cotton. These large square pieces of cotton can be folded in different ways to fit your baby.
Cloth nappies offer the main advantages of being cost effective in the long run and good for the environment as they are reusable. Once you have purchased the initial supplies for cloth diapering such as the cloth nappies, pins, nappy liners and buckets to soak the nappies in the only cost that remains is the price of laundering. One of main drawbacks of cloth nappies is that they can be inconvenient, you will have to soak and wash the nappies if you don’t opt for a nappy service and then also fold them.
Cloth nappies are not very leak proof and will need to be changed frequently otherwise they can become very uncomfortable, soggy and bulky. Cloth nappies don’t draw moisture away from your baby’s bottom so you’ll need to change the nappy regularly to avoid diaper rash.
Modern Cloth Nappies
Modern cloth nappies are an evolving alternative to traditional cloth nappies. They are based on the same premise of being environmentally friendly and cost effective but there is a wide variety of modern cloth nappies to choose from. Although they work out dearer than traditional cloth nappies, they are still cheaper than disposable nappies in the long run according to staff at Kiwi Families. They are convenient to use as they don’t require folding and many brands come with either Velcro fasteners or fastening domes.
The type of fabric used is also more absorbent than traditional cloth nappies and when used in conjunction with stay dry liners they lock away moisture from your baby’s bottom so that your baby stays drier for longer. Due to new fiber technology used in their production they are thin comfortable to wear, putting them on par with disposable nappies. They are available in bright colors and funky designs to remove the outdated perception many parents hold about re-usable nappies.
Disposable Nappies
Disposable nappies are a staple for many new parents. Mainly because they are extremely convenient to use, you simply throw them away after removing them. Disposable nappies are great for keeping baby’s bottom dry as they lock moisture away in an absorbent gel or crystals, which reduces discomfort and the likelihood of developing rash. They are available in different sizes so they will be comfortable for your baby to wear as she grows and develops.
Although disposable diapers vary in price with generic store brands priced less than the main diaper manufactures like Pampers and Huggies, they do work out dearer than using either traditional cloth diapers or modern cloth diapers over the same period of time. The other main problem with disposables is that they are not very environmentally friendly; they are made from non-biodegradable materials, which according to the New York Times can take hundreds of years to completely decompose.
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