Depending on the priorities and needs of a family, some may find cloth diapers to be the best choice while others prefer to use disposables. Factors to be considered in this decision include safety and environmental issues, cost and convenience.
Advantage of Disposables
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, disposable diapers are better at preventing leaks than cloth diapers. They recommend using disposable diapers in a childcare setting where intestinal diseases may be easily transmitted. They also claim that disposable diapers are better for preventing diaper rash because they are better at pulling wetness away from the baby's skin.
When traveling, disposable diapers may be the more convenient choice. Since disposables are made of super-absorbent materials, they do not need to be changed as often as cloth diapers.
Disadvantages of Disposables
According to the New Parent's Guide, one of the main concerns of using disposable diapers is what they contain. The gel used in the absorbent core of the diaper is called sodium polyacrylate. This chemical has been linked to allergic reactions and toxic shock syndrome. In addition, the dyes and fragrances used in disposable diapers have been known to cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and skin rashes. Another concern is infants pulling the disposables apart and choking on the plastic.
Another disadvantage to using disposable diapers is their cost. Depending on the brand and size, a parent may expect to spend between $50 and $80 a month on disposable diapers for a single child.
Advantages of Cloth Diapers
Available in a variety of absorbencies and textures, cloth diapers have come a long way over the years. They are available with self-sticking tabs and removable inserts. A parent's main concern when it comes to diapers is preventing diaper rash. Advocates of cloth diapers say that because cloth diapers don't contain man-made chemicals, they are healthier for preventing diaper rash.
Disadvantages of Cloth Diapers
There are two choices when using cloth diapers: to launder them yourself or have them laundered by a diaper service. While laundering cloth diapers may save money over buying disposables, the cost of using a diaper service is roughly equivalent to the cost of buying disposables. As cloth diapers need to be soaked, laundering them at home may be time consuming.
Environmental Factors
Disposable diapers may be viewed as bad for the environment because of the space that they take up in landfills. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, disposable diapers add from 1 to 2 percent to municipal solid waste sites. In addition, over 200,000 trees a year and 80,000 pounds of plastic are used each year for disposable diapers in America alone.
Although less obvious, there are energy and environmental factors to be considered with the use of cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are washed in hot water, which contributes to energy usage as well as air and water pollution levels. Therefore, both options have their own environmental consequences.
References
- Caring for Your Baby and Young Child; The American Academy of Pediatrics
- New Parents Guide
