Baby Boutique Marketplace

The debate over cloth vs. disposable diapers continues as parents try and find the best option for their newborn baby.  There is a wealth of information and no shortage of opinion on this subject. But what are the facts?  And what should a parent choose?

The trend of going green is translating into the baby goods and manufacturing industry.  Baby stores are focusing more and more on organic baby items. How do diapers play into this debate? Cloth diapers and cloth diaper services are becoming a popular baby gift. Options for cloth diapers have changed.  Many are now multilayer, more absorbent, and have easier fastening systems.  There are convenient services that collect the dirty diapers and deliver clean ones.  Cloth diapers tend to be less irritating and cause fewer diaper rashes. Disposable diapers have also improved.  Many contain super absorbent gels that keep moisture away from skin and reduce leakage.  Some are now made with biodegradable materials which contain no plastic and can be gentler on the skin.

Both cloth and disposable diapers have some drawbacks.  If not properly cleaned, cloth diapers can cause rashes from any remaining bacteria.  Cloth diapers, despite being made from breathable fibers, can sometimes cause skin irritation if not changed fequently. They can leak and be inconvenient for travel and use in public places.  Disposable diapers have issues as well.  Disposable diapers can result in prolonged dampness and need to be changed appropriately.  Some contain sodium polyacrylate, an absorbent gel, which pulls moisture away from the skin, but can lead to skin sensitivities.

The cost of disposable vs. cloth depends on whether or not you use a service.  The cost of utilizing a service and using disposable diapers is roughly the same per month; savings is only gained if you launder the cloth diapers yourself.

That brings us to the question of environmental impact: do cloth diapers really make a difference?  Advocates of disposable diapers would argue that the water and energy used to clean cloth diapers negates any positive impact on the environment.  On the other hand, many environmentalists cite the lack of biodegradability, untreated waste in landfills, and potential groundwater contamination as reasons enough to use cloth diapers.  They further claim that disposable diapers that say they are biodegradable contain materials that need to be exposed to the elements in order to fully decompose, which does not happen in land fills.

What this all boils down to is personal choice.  Parents need to make the choice that is right for them and the best fit for their child and their lifestyle.  Perhaps this means a combination of cloth and disposable.  And what works for one child might not be the same for a sibling.  Most importantly, when exploring baby items and the like, parents should educate themselves and be aware of the different diaper options now available.