Nappies, also known as diapers, are a necessity for babies, infants and toddlers who can't yet use a toilet. Many parent's have trouble deciding whether to use cloth or disposable nappies, since these two types can vary widely in price, ecological impact and convenience.
Definitions
Cloth nappies are made of cotton or other materials and can be reused many times. They require washing, although there are diaper services that pick up and wash cloth diapers. Disposable nappies are made of waterproof plastic with an absorbent pad to collect liquid waste. Parents can throw away the entire nappy after use, avoiding any need for washing.
Cost
The upfront costs of cloth nappies are higher, since they require accessories such as waterproof covers, a diaper pail to store unwashed diapers and possibly a cleaning service. Disposable nappies cost more over the entire period of use, an average of $1,500 to $2,500 or more over the two to three years a child will be in diapers, according to Consumer Reports. Cloth nappy costs generally run about $25 to 60 per month, according to the New Parents Guide, a total of $900 to $2160 if the child is in diapers for three years.
Convenience
Many parents choose disposable nappies because they are more convenient. They do not require washing and can be thrown away with regular trash service. Cloth nappies, on the other hand, require more time. Aside from washing, cloth diapers may also take more time to put on the baby, since they sometimes require linings and waterproof covers to avoid leakage. Some modern cloth diapers come with disposable linings or can be used without linings and many no longer require waterproof covers, depending on the material they are made of and the fit of the diaper, making them more convenient than previous versions.
Health
According to an article in the New Parents' Guide, disposable nappies have been found to cause an increase in diaper rash. Some of the speculated causes of this and other health problems include that babies' skin may be reacting to the plastic used to manufacture the nappies, dioxin from the bleaching process, absorbent gels inside the diaper or fragrances. Cloth nappies have fewer health issues associated with them, but there are some concerns over proper sanitization of used cloth diapers and changing the nappies often enough to prevent problems.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of cloth nappies compared to disposables is a big issue for many parents, since up to 18 billion disposable nappies head to landfills each year and making disposables requires the use of oil-based plastic. Some companies, such as Seventh Generation, have begun to manufacture biodegradable disposable diapers as a more environmentally friendly option. According to a controversial 2005 study by the Environmental Agency in London, the environmental impact of washing cloth nappies makes them almost as damaging to the environment as disposables. Cloth nappy advocates dispute this claim, but it can be one more thing to consider when deciding which option is best for your family.
