| With the recent resurgence of cloth diapers, what are | | | | Disposable Diapers: |
| the pros and cons of cloth diapers as opposed to | | | | Disposable diapers have been around in a major way |
| disposables? Parents can be quite divided on this topic, | | | | since the late sixties. Their popularity grew with |
| so we will try to list the advantages and | | | | technology advances over the years, and they have |
| disadvantages of each type of diaper. As an average | | | | seen many changes. |
| baby will need about 5000 diapers, this is a very | | | | For:- |
| important area to consider. A decision to use cloth | | | | |
| diapers will not only have a great impact on your | | | | 1. Easy to use - disposables are definitely the easy |
| baby's comfort and health, it will also have financial and | | | | option. They are an all-in-one product, handy nd fast to |
| environmental consequences for you. | | | | use. |
| Cloth Diapers: | | | | 2. Disposable - disposables are thrown away once |
| Cloth diapering has been around since the dawn of | | | | used, unlike cloth diapers which naturally need to be |
| time. The material has obviously developed over time, | | | | washed. |
| and some cloth diapers now even have double or | | | | 3. Portable - easy to travel with as per above. |
| triple layers and a multiple, fiber-filled strip, making them | | | | 4. Tight and Snug - disposables tend to leak less than |
| much more absorbent than older styles. | | | | cloth. They have a tight, snug fit and are very |
| For:- | | | | absorbent. |
| | | | Against:- |
| 1. Cheaper - cloth diapers can be expensive at the | | | | |
| start, but in the long run they should work out more | | | | 1. Cost - as they are disposable, you will need to buy |
| economical, depending on what source you choose. | | | | more regularly and you will probably spend more on |
| 2. Diaper-rash - cloth-diapered babies tend to have | | | | disposables. |
| less diaper-rash, because natural cotton fibers 'breathe' | | | | 2. Not Green - bad for the environment, it is estimated |
| more easily. | | | | that around 6 million tons of untreated waste is |
| 3. Recycle - can be used for other children, so works | | | | deposited into landfills due to disposable diapers every |
| out even cheaper if you are planning a large family! | | | | year. Disposable diapers take a very long time to |
| Also cloth diapers don't go to landfill. | | | | decompose. |
| 4. Potty - cloth diapered children tend to potty-train | | | | 3. Potty - harder to potty-train as toddlers cannot feel |
| earlier, because the cloth tends to hold moisture closer | | | | the wetness as much as with cloth diapers, so it's |
| to baby's skin. | | | | harder for them to potty-train. |
| Against:- | | | | 4. Diaper-rash - according to one study, 78% of kids |
| | | | using disposable diapers get diaper-rash, compared to |
| 1. Diaper Pins - usually fastened with diaper pins, but | | | | only 8% of cloth-diapered babies. |
| now you can also find ones with Velcro or snap | | | | 5. Baby health - this is now the biggest concern as the |
| fasteners. | | | | chemicals used to make the super-absorbency of |
| 2. Creche - some daycare centers may refuse to | | | | disposable diapers is generally sodium polyacrylate, |
| allow children attending with cloth diapers. | | | | which has been linked to TSS (Toxic Shock |
| 3. Travel - can be messy to use on the go, and are | | | | Syndrome) and can cause allergic reactions. |
| not appropriate for travel. (Many cloth-diaper users will | | | | Overall, the decision to use disposable diapers or cloth |
| use disposables when traveling, or just being out and | | | | diapers is a very personal one. There is no one right |
| about.) | | | | answer for everyone. Consider the options carefully, |
| 4. Leaking - clothe diapers may leak more than | | | | and choose what is best for you and your family and |
| disposables if not used as they should be. | | | | your schedule. |