Which is better Diaper or Cloth Diaper

My recent article was on “causes, precautions and treatment of diaper rash in babies”. Further, on the request of many parents sharing and discussing “what are the Pros & cons of cloth diapers?” With this idea sharing experiences and reviews of using a disposable diaper and cloth diaper for baby.

Not much to elaborate about diaper and cloth as we all are very much aware of them. These come under a different brand, price, size and material. But like to pen down the basics on these separately. The major use of diaper or cloth is to absorb the urine and poop off the baby without using the toilet. Also, protecting the worn clothes from being soiled from body waste.

Eight Pros & Cons of disposable diaper and cloth diaper for your baby are as follows:

Below discussing many advantages/benefits and disadvantages of diaper and cloth. You not only agree and also be able to relate to the pros and cons with your diaper routine. It would be incorrect to straightaway mention that cloth diapers are bad or disposable diapers are bad. First, you need to understand the different perspectives associated with using both types of baby underwear.

1. Economical and Save money

Purchase of the cloth diaper requires one-time investment. Whereas with purchase of every disposable diaper money is paid. That is it requires concurrent investment.

Cloth vs disposable diapers cost

The cloth diaper price is ranging in Rs. 700 to Rs. 900 approx. and which is a one-time payment. There is a defined pack of cloth diaper consisting of 10 absorbent inserts and an outer fabric covering. Whereas the price of the disposable diaper varies with brand, quantity, quality and features.

There are many brands in the market supplying disposable diapers. Every brand has its price range depending on the quality and features they provide. Purchasing big packs of diapers with a good number of the product is more economical over small packs. Few brands are offering the premium quality diapers with more softness for baby skin, good material and features that are helpful in routine use.

2. Washing and cleaning

The synthetic diapers are disposed of after use. Therefore, the question of washing and cleaning becomes irrelevant. But while disposing of the diapers the parents should tightly wrap the soiled diaper using the sticky tape on the back of the diaper. This reduces the risk of spillage.

 On the other hand, “How to clean or get the poop out of cloth diapers?” is a major concern for every mother using cloth for their babies. Although the cloth diapers are washed and reused but it is a time-consuming process. It is advisable to clean the dirty diaper immediately after use. To prevent the formation of foul odour and bacteria and penetrating the layers of the diaper.

3. Absorption power

Although the concept of cloth diapers for babies seems to be an alternative to disposable diapers. But in winters and at bedtime disposable diaper is a better option over the cloth. Because the cloth diaper has less absorbing power in comparison to a disposable diaper. The microfibre insert is having less absorption power such that it leaks on single urine. The wetness of the urine spreads to outer fabric and later to worn clothes.

Whereas the disposable diapers are leaking sometimes or when overfilled. When going for short travel or trips, disposable diapers are best to rely upon. Because cloth diaper leaks frequently even without coming in the knowledge easily. This makes the work hassle some and unhygienic.

4. Size and type of diaper

Disposable diapers come in different sizes for babies. The size depends on the age and weight of babies. Diapers come in pant style and tapped style. You purchase them based on your baby’s requirement. From personal experience it has been observed that 8 to 10 diapers are consumed in a day. Which makes it necessary for mothers to purchase diapers in bulk and also reasonable in monetary terms. The bulk purchase makes our money blocked. The growth of the baby is faster than stocked diapers. Using tight fitted short sized diapers is uncomfortable and may even result in rashes and dryness.

Whereas the cloth diaper is more convenient to use. Because it comes with an adjustable snap closure system. In the snap closure system, many snap buttons are attached to the outer fabric. These are attached at gaps in suitable manner. Therefore, easy to fit in different sizes from newborns to toddlers. The snap button are closed at the gap suitable to the baby’s waist size and weight. Which reduces the bulk requirement of the diapers. No tape or pant style format is there in cloth. There is a soft and cosy absorbent insert that gently drape the baby’s waist.

5. Hygiene

Paediatricians and studies are in favour of changing the diaper after one urination or poop. Because the remains of poop and urine are harmful to the kidneys and nervous system. Also, it is important is to keep the genital parts of the baby clean. Cleaning is a must after every urination and poop.

The layout of the cloth diaper is such that it is not easy to identify the urination and poop immediately. Which results in wetness and increased exposure to bacteria. Therefore, many health and skin problems in babies such as diaper rash, redness, fever due to wetness at nights and in winters, etc are evident.

Whereas the disposable diapers are also available with a signal line on its front part. On every urination or poop, the yellow signal line turns blue. Indicating the requirement of changing the diaper. It is advisable to use such premium option diapers for newborns and infants. Because they poop and urinate too frequently to attract germs and health issues.

6. Environment friendly

Cloth diapers are the most environment-friendly diapers to use. Because their absorbent layers are made of the organic and unbleached natural fibres. Some of these are cotton, hemp, bamboo and blend of many others.

Whereas the disposable diapers are made from synthetic materials. some of these are Polyethylene film, Polyethylene non woven Hydrophobic and hydrophilic, elastics, adhesives, wood pulp, etc. The natural and organic fibres used in absorbent insert of cloth are biodegradable and therefore, non harming for the environment, unlike disposable diapers.

7. Attractive patterns

The outer fabric of the cloth diapers is printed with attractive patterns, designs and pictures unlike disposable diapers. They come in different colours which looks quite fascinating to kids. Therefore, looks good when worn like bottom wear.

8. Reusable and disposable

Cloth diapers are washed and are reused. There is no defined number for reusing the cloth diaper. It is on your maintenance for using the cloth long. The inner layer of the cloth diaper with number of uses gets stained and filthy. Therefore, it needs to get changed reasonably. But the outer covering remains intact for use for a long time.

As the name itself suggests the diapers are disposed off after use. Sometimes the baby pee and poop many times a day therefore, it becomes necessary to store the disposable diapers in bulk quantity. As you know diapers are far more expensive than a cloth diaper, therefore much pressure on your pocket. Also sometimes the bulk purchase of diapers of particular size becomes useless because the diaper is undersized for the baby. This is opposite to the use of a cloth diaper for the baby.

Conclusion

Tried to put all possible pros and con of diaper and cloth at one place. It would be unfair to raise a judgemental question “Why are cloth diapers bad?” With this question, we are straightaway saying that disposable diaper is better over the cloth diaper. But ideally the debate on “which is better diaper and cloth” is open for all the mothers. But this debate ends with a different opinion of every mother for using the diaper or cloth for their babies. Disposable diapers are on top of the list on baby essentials. To part away with these completely is not possible and feasible. It is your choice for using diaper or cloth both or individually for your baby.

To share my experience I have also used a cloth diaper for my baby. The question that first arises is are cloth diaper better? It is for around 2 months of using the cloth for baby. But could not keep up to their usage for long. Because maintaining the hygiene of the genital parts of the baby is most important for me. Less adsorbant power and dirty stains of poop left on the cloth diaper are reasons for dropping their use. In such scenarios, the baby catches infection easily when exposed to germs.

Further, I agree with the money factor to choose cloth over a disposable diaper. But do you really save money with cloth diapers? or Are cloth diapers or reusable diapers really worth it? Considering the above advantages and disadvantages it is clear that cloth diapers are not But at the same time not keeping the money over the health of the baby. It is better to save in other areas of the household than in cloth diaper.

Mothers do consider every pros and con of both diaper and cloth carefully. It is necessary for making the correct choice of the baby’s essentials.