The Pros And Cons Of Cloth Diapers

In recent years, many mothers have decided to use cloth diapers. After all, it is a much cheaper and more environmentally friendly solution than disposable diapers. This solution offers many advantages.

However, there are also drawbacks to using washable diapers that you should consider when selecting the diapers to use for your baby.

Before the appearance of disposable cellulose diapers, cloth diapers were the norm. Now, years later, many women are trying to put them back into use for three main reasons:

• You can wash and reuse them.
• They reduce the amount of waste.
• They are much cheaper.

Indeed, although you will have to incur significant costs in the beginning to purchase them, the fact that they are washable and reusable means that you will save in the long run.

In addition, washable diapers are adjustable and hypoallergenic. They are usually made with natural fiber fabrics (so don’t think we’re talking about the nappies our grandma used to use!). The new variants are relatively easy to wash and do not pose any major hygiene problems.

As with anything, in addition to their many advantages, there are also some disadvantages associated with cloth diapers. Here we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of both types of diapers to help you make an informed decision.

The benefits of washable diapers

They are better for your baby’s skin

The first advantage of these types of diapers is that they are good for your baby’s skin. They’re even made from 100% natural products like cotton and bamboo, so the risk of skin irritation is minimal.

In addition, washable diapers do not contain any chemicals that can lead to an allergic reaction. Similarly, babies who wear them have a lower percentage of problems such as dermatitis.

They are comfortable

Since these are natural and breathable fabrics, using them in times of heat causes the skin to perspire and does not trap sweat and extreme heat. In the same way, the touch of the fabric and its softness cannot be compared to that of disposable diapers.

They are better for the environment

The use of washable diapers is environmentally friendly. Indeed, many of us are well aware that about 20 billion disposable diapers are dumped in landfills every year , accounting for more than 3.5 million tons of waste.

Disposable diapers take about 500 years to decompose, releasing methane into the air in the process. High concentrations of this gas can be explosive and flammable. Methane is also dangerous to inhale because it replaces 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 in the long run if you use washable diapers. This is because the initial cost may be higher than buying a disposable pack, but you can reuse them. So you don’t have to incur huge costs every week to replace them. Just do the math.

Likewise, you can get some from your friends or pass them on to other new moms when you no longer need them. This way, some moms don’t even have to make an initial investment.

You can decorate and customize washable diapers

These diapers are not disposable and they are also made of fabric. You can personalize them by embroidering or otherwise decorating them. Those sold in stores sometimes already have beautiful, original and even funny designs. You can even match them with your baby’s outfits!

The Disadvantages of Using Washable Diapers

Despite the benefits, cloth diapers can be uncomfortable in certain situations. Especially if you are not at home and then have to change a dirty diaper without being able to wash it immediately.

They need more maintenance

Since they are reusable, you should wash, dry and fold them before using them again. Of course, this is not as quick and easy as throwing them away after use. You should also wash often, depending on how much you have, to make sure you don’t run out of diaper supplies.

You also need to be extra careful when washing because if you don’t do it right, the diapers can retain odors. This could cause problems. Use neutral detergents and also avoid using bleach and other types of disinfectants as they can irritate baby’s skin.

They stay put until you are ready to wash them

When you use disposable diapers, you usually just throw them in the trash. You can’t do this with washable diapers. However, this is inconvenient when you are not at home and need to change them, as you have to keep them in a bag until you get home and wash them.

If you’re going to be away for a short period of time, this probably won’t be a problem. However, if you are away for a few hours or want to travel, the smells can become quite unpleasant.

Some nurseries don’t accept them

Most nurseries are not interested in using cloth diapers. It’s understandable, because they don’t want to keep them until you take them. So most of them will require you to bring disposable diapers as a condition of admitting your child.

As you can see, there are many benefits to using cloth diapers. However, there are also some drawbacks, so keep this in mind. Also remember that you don’t have to be a purist anyway and you can always alternate between the use of washable and disposable diapers.

When it comes to the environment, your baby’s skin and your wallet, we recommend cloth nappies. However, it is much easier to choose disposable diapers when you are not at home!