| When making the decision on whether you wish to | | | | also had a variety of problems reported to them that |
| use cloth diapers or the disposable version, new | | | | are directly related to disposable diaper use. Chemical |
| mothers may be confused as to which type is the | | | | burns as well as noxious odors have been reported as |
| better choice. Getting some of the basic facts may | | | | being emitted from certain diaper brands. Other |
| help you to make the decision that is best for you and | | | | complaints deal with the baby tearing plastic pieces off |
| your baby. | | | | the diaper and placing them in their mouth or nose. |
| Diaper rash is the greatest concern for most parents | | | | Children have also choked by swallowing tab papers |
| in choosing the right diaper. There are many things that | | | | and linings. There have also been reports of the plastic |
| can cause diaper rash. Lack of air circulation as well | | | | melting on the baby's skin and the baby's skin being |
| prolonged wetness against the skin can cause skin | | | | stained with ink. |
| irritation. This irritation is the result of bacteria forming | | | | The Journal of Pediatrics has reported that 54% of |
| ammonia that will interact with urine that is left sitting | | | | one-month-old infants using disposable diapers had |
| against the skin and can lead to the growth of | | | | rashes, with 16% of these being severe cases. In an |
| microbes. This form of diaper rash is found in both | | | | independent study by a leading diaper manufacturer, |
| cloth and disposable diapers. | | | | diaper rash increased from 7.1% to 61% when the use |
| Some infants also may develop allergies to certain | | | | of disposable diapers was increased. |
| soaps, dyes, and chemicals that can lead to diaper | | | | The cost of cloth diapers as opposed to the |
| rash. This form of diaper rash is found mainly in babies | | | | disposable type is slightly smaller, though not as much |
| that wear disposable diapers. Concerns with the | | | | as you would think. The maximum cost of disposable |
| chemicals sodium polyacrylate (absorbent gel) and | | | | diapers is estimated at $80 per month, while the cost |
| dioxin (a result of bleaching paper), and the various | | | | of cloth diapers is $60 per month. |
| dyes used in the making of disposable diapers has | | | | The convenience of using disposable diapers used to |
| caused the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) | | | | be greater than when using cloth diapers. That is not |
| and the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) to | | | | the case today. Many cloth diapers come with Velcro |
| become involved in various studies being done in | | | | tabs so the use of large safety pins has been |
| connection with disposable diapers. The EPA has | | | | eliminated. These diapers are also made with several |
| linked sodium polyacrylate to toxic shock syndrome | | | | layers of lining to keep your baby drier for a longer |
| while some dyes and dioxins can lead to central | | | | period of time. |
| nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. The FDA | | | | The choice of which diaper to use is totally up to you. |
| has received complaints of headaches, dizziness, and | | | | While your baby may do fine with disposable diapers, |
| rashes being caused by the fragrances found in some | | | | you have the comfort of knowing that cloth diapers |
| disposable diapers. | | | | are a healthier and less expensive alternative. |
| The United States Consumer Protection Agency has | | | | |