Overview
Changing diapers is definitely the most common task associated with having a baby. According to studies done on the subject, you will change thousands of diapers before your child is age two or three.
Disposable diapers have long been the standard for today's active busy parents. They are convenient and meet the needs of most parents. "Disposable diapers make up 80 percent or more of all diaper changes in virtually all developed countries," states the American Academy of Pediatrics. Disposable diapers consist of an absorbent pad covered by non-woven fabric that can absorb 800 times its weight in liquid. The chemical crystals that are contained within the pad help to keep the liquid away from the baby's skin. Disposable diapers may have elastic at the waist and legs to provide a better fit and prevent leakage. Fastening tape holds the diaper together. Over the years, disposable diapers have become lighter and thinner, but are still able to absorb a great amount of liquid and waste.
With growing concern about our planet's ecosystem, selecting cloth diapers is quickly becoming a popular choice for our "going green" society.
Cloth diapers can be purchased through a diaper service, which drops off clean diapers and picks up soiled ones, or they can be laundered by you exclusively. This last option is the most economical. If washing yourself, keep the soiled diaper separate from other clothes. Dump the stool in the toilet and rinse with cold water, then soak with a detergent solution mixed with bleach for 30 minutes. Wring them out and then wash in hot water with detergent.
Cloth diapers are most commonly fastened with diaper pins. To prevent pricking, your hand should rest between your baby's skin and the pin while attaching. Diaper tape is also available and comes in a dispenser much like household tape. Single layer cloth diapers that are folded down to size have been replaced by a rectangular double layered diaper that has a fiber-filled center strip for absorbency. Waterproof diaper covers or underwear are often used in conjunction with cloth diapers to prevent wet clothes, bedding or furniture.
What to Look for
What to Look For
Both cloth and disposable diapers have effects on the environment. Cloth diapers use more energy and water in laundering and contribute to air and water pollution, while disposable diapers take up space at landfills and contribute to a city's solid waste. Your own concerns and needs will determine which diaper choice is right for your family.
When considering the cost of using a service for cloth diapers versus buying disposable, the price is roughly the same. Buying in bulk tends to save you money.
Buy diapers according to your baby's weight not age. Each diaper brand has its own size chart, so check the box before buying your usual size from a particular brand.
Common Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls
Cloth diapers do not protect your baby's skin from wetness as well as disposable diapers. Frequent wet and soiled skin can cause diaper rash.
Another concern with diapers is their ability to prevent leakage. Disposable diapers with their elastic waist and legs prevent leakage. Cloth diapers are gathered around the waist and when filled tend to sag, causing leaks. Intestinal diseases are easily transmitted among children with the leakage of urine and stool, so some group settings, such as daycare, require disposable diapers.
