Disadvantages and advantages of cloth diapers:
Should a baby use disposable diapers or cloth diapers? The economic and environmental benefits of cloth diapers may lead one to believe that there are no disadvantages to these, but there are some.
Many parents have recently discovered that there are many benefits to cloth diapers. After all, it is a much cheaper and more environmentally friendly solution than disposable diapers.
But there are also disadvantages that you should keep in mind when choosing diapers for your baby.
Before the advent of disposable diapers with cellulose, it was the norm to use cloth diapers. Many years later, they are now starting to come back, and mainly for three reasons:
- You can wash and reuse them.
- They reduce the amount of garbage.
- They are much cheaper.
Although it requires a larger initial investment to acquire them, this will be cheaper in the long run as these diapers can be washed and used several times.
Furthermore, cloth diapers are adjustable and non-allergenic. They are usually made from natural fibers and have come a long way in their development since Grandma was a child. The new ones are relatively easy to wash and do not pose any hygiene problems.
As with everything, of course, there are not only benefits of cloth diapers, and below we look at both the positive and the negative regarding this diaper, so you can make an informed decision.
Benefits of cloth diapers
They are better for the baby’s skin
The first benefit of these diapers is that they are good for the baby’s health. They are made from completely natural products, such as cotton and bamboo, so the risk of irritation is minimal.
Furthermore, cloth diapers do not contain any chemicals that can lead to allergic reactions. Babies who carry them tend to be less likely to develop dermatitis.
The advantages of cloth diapers are that they are comfortable
Because they are made of natural materials that breathe, the skin can also breathe normally, and they do not retain moisture and heat. Also, ordinary diapers cannot measure up to the softness of these materials.
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They are better for the environment
Using cloth diapers is environmentally friendly. Around 20 billion nappies end up in landfills and the like every year, and they make up over 3.5 million tonnes of rubbish.
It takes about 500 years for disposable diapers to break down, and they release methane into the air. High concentrations of this gas can be explosive, and methane is also dangerous to inhale as it displaces oxygen.
By using reusable cloth diapers, you help protect the environment.
They are cheaper in the long run
As we mentioned above, you can save a lot of money by using cloth diapers. The initial expense may be greater, but since you can reuse them, you will quickly catch up.
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Advantages of cloth diapers are that you can decorate and customize them
As I said, you will use these diapers several times, and they are made of fabric, so you can embroider and decorate them as you like (as long as it does not affect the functionality or comfort).
Many variants come with different designs from the beginning, so you can also match them with the baby’s clothes if you want.
The disadvantages of cloth diapers
They require more maintenance
Because they are reusable, you need to wash them, let them dry and fold them. Of course, this is not as quick and easy as just throwing them away.
You must also wash them regularly so that you have enough clean diapers in stock, and so that it does not start to smell. Furthermore, you should be careful when washing these diapers so that no odor can cause problems.
Use neutral detergents and avoid using bleach and other types of disinfectants that can irritate your baby’s skin.
You must store them until you can wash them
When using disposable diapers, you can often just throw them in the trash. However, the situation becomes more complicated when you use cloth diapers outside the home because you have to put them in a bag until you get home.
If you are away for a short time, it is usually no problem, but if you are away for a few hours, the smell can be quite unpleasant.
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Some kindergartens do not accept them
Many kindergartens do not want to deal with cloth diapers, which is understandable because they do not want to store a pile of dirty diapers during the day. They may therefore require you to provide regular diapers when the baby is in kindergarten.
As you can see, there are many advantages to cloth diapers, but also some disadvantages. Remember that you do not have to choose one or the other; you can always alternate between them depending on the situation.
When it comes to the environment, your baby’s skin, and wallet, we recommend cloth diapers. However, it is easier to use disposable diapers when you are not at home.