Many years ago, disposable diapers did not exist. People used only cloth diapers, which were washed often. Over time, disposable diapers have become increasingly popular as a convenience, especially for working moms and dads. With increased concern for the environment, cloth diapers have come back into the picture in the past few years. Parents in America now have to make their own decisions regarding whether disposable or cloth diapers better suit their needs.
Convenience
Consumer Reports states that most parents will change thousands of diapers by the time their child is a toddler. In the debate over whether cloth or disposable diapers are better, disposable diapers are favored for convenience. Consumer Reports explains that while some cloth diapers require pins to close, disposable diapers usually use Velcro. Disposable diapers can be thrown out after one use, while cloth diapers have to be cleaned and washed.
Energy
For those who value the environment, ABC News states that 18 billion disposable diapers are thrown into landfills every year. That creates a lot of waste in the earth's landfills. Cloth diapers can be reused over and over, so they do not create much waste in landfills. On the downside, washing cloth diapers still requires energy and water. Most parents who use cloth diapers for their babies have to run at least one load of laundry every day.
Health
ABC News also states that the baby's health is another consideration in determining whether to use disposable or cloth diapers. It cites a 2005 study in Germany that suggests that disposable diapers generally trap heat more than cloth diapers, and the amount of heat trapped in disposable diapers may lead to possible fertility problems in males. Another study cited by ABC News found that the materials in disposable diapers can lead to asthma.
Potty Training
The difference between disposable and cloth diapers may have an effect on potty training. ABC News states that disposable diapers may make potty training harder than if a young child wears cloth diapers, because disposable diapers are very absorbent, and children do not feel the wetness as easily as when they wear cloth diapers. That dry feeling makes it harder for them to know it's time to go to the potty or if they've already urinated.
Cost
Cost considerations can also weigh heavily on a parent's decision to use cloth or disposable diapers. Consumer Reports states that disposable diapers are generally more expensive than cloth diapers. Disposable diapers can cost $1,500 to $2,000 for the whole time that a baby uses them. Cloth diapers can be a lot cheaper than disposable diapers, especially if parents wash them at home rather than having a diaper cleaning service wash them.
