Upon the arrival of your new baby, you'll have a variety of important decisions to make: breastfeed or bottle feed, co-sleeping or crib sleeping, and cloth nappies or disposable nappies. The case for cloth nappies versus disposable nappies is still hotly debated between mothering groups, and each has their reasons for their choices. Disposable nappies are convenient and fast, while cloth nappies are more environmentally conscious and cheaper in the long run. Weigh the difference to choose what type is right for you.
Cost
There is a big difference between the types of nappies when it comes to costs. Disposable nappies are cheaper in the beginning. One box of nappies costs around $18, as of 2009. But "Consumer Reports" magazine estimates that the average baby will use up to $2,000 of the disposable kind before he is out of diapers altogether.
Cloth nappies are more expensive to begin with; the average family purchases about $150 to $250 in nappy supplies to get started according to GreenBabyGuide.com, but then only maintains the laundry service for about $50 per month as the rest of the cost.
Maintenance
Disposable nappies are the easier of the two types of nappies to care for. To clean up the disposable nappy, you only need to discard it. Diaper pails exist to seal in the unpleasant smell until they are thrown in the garbage.
Cloth nappies need more maintenance. When changing a nappy, the waste needs to be cleaned from the nappy. Most parents opt for a spray system or to rinse them over a toilet. They must then be washed and sanitized in the regular laundry, which can turn some parents off of using cloth nappies altogether.
Environmental Concern
When it comes to protecting the environment, cloth nappies clearly have the advantage. Because they are washed and reused over and over again, they don't end up in the garbage, and you're doing your part to protect the environment.
Disposable nappies pose a problem to those environmentally conscious individuals. Disposable nappies are not biodegradable, and they only add to the problem of excess garbage.
Health
The debate between parents on which type of diaper is better for baby's skin and health is still unresolved, as there has been little research on the topic. While cloth diapering parents believe that unbleached cloth nappies, free of chemicals or absorbent material is better for skin, disposable diapering enthusiasts believe that the absorbency of disposable nappies is superior to that of cloth.
A medical synopsis written and issued by the U.S. Army Medical Command detailed findings that pointed toward disposable nappies leading to fewer diaper rashes than cloth nappies overall. In the end, it is frequent changing of your child's nappy that will protect her skin.
Convenience
When you're out and about town, disposable nappies may be a more convenient choice. When your child soils his diaper, you just need to dispose of it and provide a fresh, new one. With cloth diapers, you might find yourself carrying the soiled diaper in your bag until you can reach home and clean it, a drawback for some parents. However, those who are committed to cloth nappies will find ways to make it more convenient, like carrying freezer bags to contain the mess or switching between the two types of nappies to find the ideal balance.
