Before we start comparing the two options, let’s think about how many diapers the average baby will need.
1.Most babies are in diapers for 2-3 years.
2.During infancy the average baby goes through 12 diapers a day.
3.As they get older they will use less diapers each day, with a toddler using 4-6 diapers on average.
4.If we use 8 diapers for our calculations, that's 2,920 diapers each year and 7,300 total diapers over 2.5 years.
Disposable diapers
Positives
Some parents prefer the convenience of disposable diapers as they don't need to be washed and dried. They are good for when you don’t have access to a washing machine – for example on holiday.
There are plenty of brands and sizes of disposable diapers to choose from to suit your budget.
They are easily available in any supermarkets or departmental stores and are easy to transport as they are slim and light.
Initially, disposable diapers can be cost effective.
Disposable diapers are thought to be more absorbing than cloth diapers.
They are considered to be more sanitary than cloth diapers because of their one-off use.
Negatives
Disposable diapers usually end up in landfill where they take a long time to decompose.
The choice of disposable diapers can be overwhelming. Some parents find certain brands leak or do not fit their baby well, so you might need to shop around.
The cost of disposable diapers adds up over time.
Disposable diapers might contain harsh chemicals and an absorbent ingredient (sodium polyacrylate) that can cause diaper rashes.
It is thought that toddlers using disposable diapers are harder to potty train as they can’t feel the wetness.
Most people don's correctly dispose of diapers, i.e. they leave the poo inside the diaper and throw them. While decomposing, the poo inside the diaper lets off methane gas that could contribute to greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
Cloth Diaper
Positives
They are better for the environment because you wash and cloth diapers, rather than throwing each one in the bin. Choosing cloth diapers over disposable diapers can halve the average household waste.
Some cloth diapers come with a removable inner layer that you can slip into your baby's changing bag, and so you don’t have to wash the whole diaper every time.
Cloth diapers can work out cheaper in the long run. They can be reused for future babies or sold on.
Some parents say cloth diapers feel softer and more comfortable for their baby's bottom.
Natural cloth diapers may be less likely to cause diaper rashes because they don't use any harsh chemicals, dyes or plastics.
Negatives
Washing and drying your baby's diapers takes time, energy, electricity costs and effort.
Cloth diapers can be less absorbent than disposable diaper, so you might need to change these diapers more often.
You may have a large upfront cost to get your baby kitted out with a set of diapers. On the other hand, you may find second-hand cloth diapers for sale at your local market for a fraction of the new price.
Sometimes it can be tricky to find baby clothes to fit over cloth diapers, depending on their size and design.
Using cloth diapers can be difficult to manage if you’re going on a holiday as you can't just throw them away like disposable ones.
You need to be extra careful while cleaning them to ensure they are sanitary. Recommendations are that cloth diapers should be washed at 60℃.
Whichever type of diaper you choose, one thing is certain: you will be changing a lot of diapers. And your little one will spend a lot of time in diapers. So whichever type you choose, make sure they suit you and your baby.
Post time: May-24-2022
