| The following choices are available to you when it | | | | - Offers the most inexpensive way of providing |
| comes to choosing a diaper for your baby. | | | | diapers for your baby. |
| Disposable Diapers | | | | - Offers Flexibility - Cotton diapers can be folded and |
| Disposable diapers have a plastic outer liner to keep | | | | refolded to fit your baby as he grows. (However, |
| moisture in, an inner layer of absorbent paper, and | | | | newer diaper design may offer lees flexibility in size. |
| sometimes an inner plastic lining or gel that keeps | | | | Disadvantages |
| moisture away from your baby's skin. Disposables | | | | - Is time consuming and messy. You have to soak, |
| come equipped with adhesive fasteners, and some | | | | wash, rinse and dry diapers before they are ready for |
| brands have elastic around the legs to further prevent | | | | use. |
| leaks. Have lots on hand to start with, because you'll | | | | - Can be inconvenient when you are traveling. |
| probably need seventy to ninety diapers a week with | | | | Using Disposable Diapers |
| a newborn. | | | | Advantages |
| Cloth Diapers | | | | - Offers convenience and is especially handy for |
| Cloth diapers are usually made out of gauze or cotton | | | | traveling and visiting. |
| flannel. In the past, they required pins to fasten them, | | | | - Encouraged at many day-care centers. |
| but they come now with Velcro fasteners and an | | | | Disadvantages |
| outer waterproof lining. Cloth diapers are generally | | | | - Costs roughly twice as much as caring for your own |
| quick to dry and very absorbent, and they come | | | | diapers. (For the entire time your child spends in |
| unfolded and prefolded. You'll probably need three or | | | | diapers). |
| four dozen to start with if you don't use a diaper | | | | - Demands frequent trips to the store to maintain your |
| service. | | | | supply. |
| - Unfolded diapers can be folded into any shape or | | | | - Costs rise because your baby needs larger sizes as |
| size. This allows them to "grow' with the baby. | | | | he grows. |
| - Prefolded diapers come with an extra thickness | | | | - May cause diaper rash because the plastic outer |
| down the center for added absorbency, so that they | | | | liners prevent air circulation. |
| don't need to be folded. This saves time but also | | | | - Disposing off human waste in trash is illegal in some |
| makes them less flexible in size. | | | | areas, so disposables may require the same rinsing as |
| Waterproof Pants | | | | cloth diapers. |
| Plastic pants have elastic around the waist and legs to | | | | - Adds 6000 to 8000 diapers to landfill for every baby |
| prevent leakage. They allow no drying or air circulation; | | | | before being toilet trained. |
| therefore, they can sometimes lead to diaper rash or | | | | Using Diaper Service |
| sensitive skin. More breathable alternatives to traditional | | | | Advantages |
| plastic pants are now available, and many diapers | | | | - Saves time, requires no rinsing. |
| have outer linings sewn on. If you plan to use | | | | - Is less expensive than using disposables. |
| waterproof pants, have three or four small pairs on | | | | - Uses special disinfectant soaps and uses less water |
| hand for your newborn. | | | | per diaper than washing them at home. |
| Choosing Diaper Care | | | | - Costs do not increase as your baby gets bigger. |
| Whether you decide to buy disposable diaper, wash | | | | Disadvantages |
| you're own, or use a diaper service will depend on a | | | | - Is more expensive than washing your own diapers. |
| number of factors, including your schedule, your budget, | | | | - Is inconvenient when you are away from home. |
| and your baby's reaction to various kinds of diapers. | | | | - May be hard to locate a service in some areas. |
| Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages | | | | Bathing and diapering allow you to hold and make |
| of each method. | | | | plenty of eye contact, to sing special songs, and to |
| Washing Your Own Diapers | | | | play silly games. And rocking your baby to sleep can |
| Advantages | | | | be one of the most blissful activities of your day. |