Cloth diapers vs Disposable diapers, Pros and Cons

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Among many choices that parents face during parenting, the types of diapers required for your little one is one of the most crucial choices. Diaper choice is vital as it is concerned with the regions of the body that we usually keep covered and can lead to rashes if not taken care of properly. The prevalent options available are cloth diapers and disposable diapers. Now the dilemma is to choose the one between them, read on to acquire more information to make the right decision.

What are cloth diapers?

Cloth diapers are traditional reusable diapers available in cotton, terry cloth or flannel. These are the washable diapers that have been used for years and commonly known as langots for babies. There are many types of cloth diapers. They either come as a pre-folded piece of cloth liner or a diaper with a cover that seems similar to the disposable diaper. Most cloth diapers available in the market these days are hybrid diapers with an outer layer of waterproof material and an inner absorbent layer. The best thing about cloth diapers is that they are reusable and washable, much like any other nappy.

What are disposable diapers?

Disposable diapers are non-reusable nappies. They possess highly absorbent material in the inner lining that wicks the wetness and a waterproofing outer layer. Numerous manufacturers avail the disposable diapers, but the designs they offer are the same. Nowadays disposable diapers are very thin and lightweight.

Cloth diapers vs disposable diapers - What to consider

Let’s compare between the two based on the following important parameters

Comfort and absorption :

Cloth diapers are made up of natural materials like cotton, hemp, bamboo -, linen etc. These materials are combined with human-made material like nylon and polyester to develop non-absorbent liners that allow the diaper to stay dry. On the other hand, disposable diapers are made up of polyethene or other plastics that provide a better absorption capacity. When we talk about comfort, research studies have shown that wearing disposable diapers results in considerably higher genital skin temperature. It could lead to a reduction in sperm production. On the other hand, cloth diapers allow sufficient space for the baby to move around slightly while holding everything in place. It allows the circulation of air in the diaper, giving a cool temperature to the baby skin.

Impact on health :

Disposable diapers may use dyes and scents to exhibit attractive colour and pleasing aroma. Certain chemicals and petroleum byproducts are used to prepare the diapers that are not suitable for health. However, no detailed researches have shown the negative impact of diapers on the child's health. However, disposable diapers lead to fewer diaper rashes than reusable diapers due to their more absorbent capacity. Those who prefer cloth diapers have to change the baby's diaper more often.

Cost :

Consideration of cost is crucial as you need diapers for at least a couple of years. Buying disposable diapers for your baby will give a massive load over your budget. It will cost around five times as much as the cost of buying cloth diapers. Cloth diapers however could add cost to your budget if you send the washable diapers out for laundry services. This cost is saved if you do the washing at home. Cloth diapers are durable, so a good set can be used for more than one child in the family.

Convenience :

Thanks to the modern design, now the cloth diapers come with a Velcro strip or snap button and help moms get rid of complicated folds and scary pins used in langots for babies. They also come with leak-proof bands that stop any waste from escaping around the legs. However, when it comes to absorbency, disposable diapers are more convenient. Travelling with disposable diapers is easy because they are ‘use and throw’. Cloth diapers can seem to be big trouble as you would have to carry the soiled diaper in your bag, but there are waterproof wet bags that you can carry along to store the soiled diapers.

Environment :

If you are among those people who are concerned and conscious about the environment, then you must choose a reusable diaper, that is the cloth one. On average, a child uses approximately five thousand to seven thousand diapers before switching to underpants. These many numbers of disposable diapers have a severe impact on the environment. The disposable diapers end up in landfills creating huge biohazard garbage that promote the spread of diseases. When you use cloth diapers, your little one's waste will be flushed into the toilet. Though it should be noted that cleaning cloth diapers will consume water and energy as well.

Conclusion:

Choosing the correct diaper is a personal decision. You should take a decision considering all the pros and cons given above. Hope you have understood the difference between the two and can decide which one is more suitable for your tot. You can even switch between the two depending on your convenience.

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