Cloth Versus Disposable Diapers

The diaper market was revolutionized in the latter part of the twentieth century with the introduction of disposable diapers. This new entrant sidelined the cloth diapers, which were in use till that period. However, with the emergence of environmental concerns over the ever increasing number of used disposable diapers, people started thinking of other alternatives. This feeling helped in reviving the use of cloth diapers. The debate over the pros and cons of cloth versus disposable diapers is becoming more and more complex, with the proponents of both vying for better marketing outcomes.

As compared to the cloth diapers of earlier times, the latest cloth ones have more useful features. They are available in a wide range of designs and styles. Some of them have extra layers, while others have a fiber-filled strip for better absorption. They are also available with Velcro strips, which have replaced the large safety pins previously used for fastening. There are also specialized laundry services for cleaning cloth diapers. On the other hand, disposable diapers are also available in many styles. They range from the simple paper diapers with plastic covering to the more sophisticated ones, which are filled with gel-like material for faster absorption. They have cartoon characters printed on them and some have elastic linings for better fitting. Let us go through the various aspects of cloth versus disposable diapers.

Cost
Undoubtedly, disposable diapers are much more expensive than those made of cloth, but if you are paying a laundry service for cleaning the latter, the cost anyway increases. If you choose to do the laundering yourself, the cost will still include the expenses of sanitizing. The expense related to both the types can vary with various factors. While the cost of disposable diapers varies with brand names, the indigenous products of some supermarkets are relatively much cheaper but nowhere near the cloth variety. In short, cloth diapers are cheaper than disposable ones and you can save more by laundering them yourself.

Convenience
Disposable diapers have always been considered as the most convenient baby diaper, but with the advent of new features in cloth diapers, the latter is also now found to be equally convenient. Nowadays cloth diapers can be used along with liners which can be flushed on getting soiled. However, in some circumstances, disposable diapers are the better option, like, when you are traveling, during hospitalization, if you are camping somewhere else, etc. It is also seen that some day care centers use only disposable diapers, as they are convenient and do not cause spillage.

Health Concerns
In general, the use of diapers is associated with diaper rash. It is a painful condition caused by the aftereffects of the friction, abrasion and action of bacteria. Most people believe that disposable diapers cause this condition more than the ones made of cloth. The fact is that both forms can cause diaper rash, but comparatively, cloth diapers are safer. Disposable diapers do not show the wetness but the baby has to tolerate the moisture for a longer time, as compared to cloth diapers. As far as diaper rashes and other related infections are concerned, diapering practices are to be blamed rather than the type of diapers. Whatever the type of diaper used, you have to check it regularly, remove when it is wet and clean carefully (including your hands). Such hygienic practices can prevent infections and diaper rashes to a large extent.

Environmental Impact
Last but not the least is the environmental impact of diaper usage. It is believed that disposable diapers contribute to environmental pollution a lot more than the cloth ones. Even though some disposable diapers claim to be bio-degradable, they also need full sunlight and air for the process, which is not possible in the depths of landfills. Hence, it may take many years for the degradation of such diapers. Moreover, the urine and feces can also cause contamination of ground water. According to some studies, 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees are needed to produce disposable diapers for the babies in the U.S. only. As far as cloth diapers are concerned, the main concern is the use of water, electricity and detergents in the laundering process. Another problem is the water pollution caused by the waste water emitted by the laundry service providers.

As far as cloth versus disposable diapers is concerned, it is definitely better to use cloth diapers on a daily basis, provided you follow hygienic practices of diaper changing and cleaning. Disposable diapers can be reserved for outings, travels and some unavoidable circumstances.