Choosing the right diaper for your baby is something you begin to think about, not just with your first child, but also with your second, third, and so on. While there are so many options, how do you know if disposal or cloth is the right fit for your family?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ideally, parents should make the choice between cloth and disposable diapers before the baby arrives, so they can stock up or make delivery arrangements ahead of time.
While disposal diapers still seem popular on the retail shelves and among many, there are also parents who prefer only cloth diapers.
There are major differences between the two types of diapers. While disposal diapers can be bought at a local store and then, after use, head right to your trash bin, cloth diapers have another system for care and disposal.
Carie Garrett, owner of Baby Bottoms Diaper Service, which serves families in the Akron area, and a registered nurse, provides some answers about cloth diapers and how they work.
What kinds of cloth diapers can people use?
There are so many different styles of cloth diapers. They have come a long way since rubber pants and diaper pins. All the choices can be a little overwhelming and I think it is important for busy parents to just keep it simple.
How important is the type of cloth used for the diaper?
The type of cloth used for a diaper is really just personal preference. Natural fabrics, like cotton and hemp, are absorbent and breathable, but tend to be more expensive and take longer to dry. Synthetic fabrics dry faster and have a stay-dry feel, but tend to cause more issues with home washing overtime.
How can parents tell which cloth diaper is the best fit for their child?
It’s important to find a quality, durable diaper so that as your baby grows, it will continue to fit snug around the legs and waist.
What’s the difference between the leak protection of a disposal diaper and that of a cloth diaper?
I made the switch to cloth diapers when my first was nearly age 1. For that first year, we went through so many different brands of disposables. I used cloth diapers right from the start with my second, and we never once lost an outfit due to a blowout. You can get a customized fit with a cloth diaper.
How does the cloth diaper work?
We provide a cotton diaper that is sized to fit in a modern-day diaper cover without any fancy folds or pins needed. It is simply placed in diaper shell and then wrapped around baby just like a disposable.
How many diapers do families go through per day?
On average, babies go through eight-12 diapers per day. More for newborns, less as your baby gets closer to using the potty. It is important to change your baby’s diaper whenever it is soiled. There is no prize for how many times a baby can pee in a diaper before it is changed.
How do families deal with the disposal of the diapers?
When you are using a diaper service, you simply toss the diaper in the diaper pail, making it just as easy as a disposable. Then once a week, you place the bag of dirty diapers on your front porch and the bag is replaced with a clean set of diapers. Cloth diapers can be washed many times before they are retired to a new life as a rag.
What are the benefits of using cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers are soft, breathable and made of layers of fabric, instead of wood pulp and chemicals to make them absorbent. They are washed with clean-rinsing baby- and earth-friendly detergents, making them reusable and sustainable.
What’s the cost difference between disposal diapers and cloth diapers?
Parents who have the time and desire to wash their own diapers will save a ton of money. For those who want the benefits of cloth diapers, yet enjoy the convenience of a diaper service, the cost is comparable to disposables.
