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Cloth Diapers Versus Disposable Diapers - Which One You Need to Choose?
Among all the parenting choices you will have to face, the type of underclothes required for your baby is one of the more important ones. This is because these regions are very sensitive and can suffer from rashes and other discomforts if the baby’s excreta are not taken care of promptly and efficiently. The most common options available are disposable diapers and cloth diapers. Is it better to use cloth or disposable diapers? Read on to know more about them so you can make an informed decision.
What Are Cloth Diapers?
Cloth diapers are traditional diapers, having been used for thousands of years. They are made from natural materials, such as cotton. They come in various forms such as flat, pre-folded, fitted, contoured, tied-up, shaped and so on. Most cloth diapers these days are hybrid diapers, which contain an outer waterproof cloth and an inner water absorbent material. The most important thing to know about cloth diapers is that they are reusable, as they can be disinfected and washed much like any other clothing.
What Are Disposable Diapers?
Disposable diapers were invented in 1948. They have extremely absorbent materials in their inner lining, making them far more efficient than cloth diapers while still providing similar comfort levels. Because of this, they soon took over the market from cloth diapers and are now the most common form of diapers used. Disposable diapers are one-time use only as they cannot be cleaned and must be discarded.
Cloth or Disposable Diapers - Which is Better?
It is not easy to decide whether to use cloth or disposable nappies, as they both have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, you can decide yourself once you see what both types are offering. Here are some pros and cons of cloth diapers vs disposable diapers.
1. Comfort and Absorption
Cloth diapers are made from natural materials such as cotton, hemp, flannel, muslin, wool, bamboo, linen and even silk. These materials are used in conjunction with human-made materials like nylon, suede and polyester which are used as non-absorbent liners and allow the diaper to remain dry. On the other hand, disposable diapers are made of polytheylene, polyurethane, or similar plastics, and offer a better level of absorption. In terms of comfort, babies wearing disposable diapers were found by research groups in Germany to have considerably higher genital skin temperature, which could potentially lead to a reduction in sperm production. On the other hand, cloth diapers offer enough space for the baby to move around slightly, while still holding everything in place. This allows air to circulate inside the diaper, cooling the baby’s skin.
2. Effects on Health
Disposable diapers may have dyes and scents to impart pleasing colours and aromas. Certain chemicals used in the preparation of disposables are petroleum byproducts. Of these, chemicals like dioxin are known to be carcinogens. Some of these chemicals might also worsen symptoms of asthma in babies. However, there are no clear studies showing that disposable diapers have any effect on babies’ health. In addition, disposable diapers lead to far less diaper rash incidents as they are much more absorbent. However, if you are the kind of parent to err on the side of caution it would be advisable to use cloth diapers instead. To counter the rash problems encountered with cloth diapers, simply change your baby's diapers more often.
3. Cost
Cost is a major factor for most people as diapers are going to be required for at least a couple of years. Buying disposable diapers only for your child will cost around five times as much as using cloth diapers instead, even if you employ the expensive kind of cloth available. However, there are obviously some side costs to look into when using cloth diapers. For example, using washing machines for cleaning them will increase your water and electricity bills; new diaper liners have to be bought regularly; baby-friendly detergents are expensive, buying extra paraphernalia such as drying racks and so on.
4. Convenience
Disposable diapers are easy to use as they come with foolproof sealing methods that don’t take a while to learn. And while cloth diapers used to require a complex folding procedure to change babies, these days they come equipped with snap buttons or Velcro strips for closure. They also have leak-proof bands that prevent any wastes from escaping around the legs. However, as absorbent as cloth diapers can be, you will have to change them more often than you would a disposable diaper. Travelling with cloth diapers is a big problem as you will be faced with the dilemma of carrying soiled diapers around in your bag. Disposable diapers solve that problem entirely as one can simply throw them away when they are full.
5. Impact on the Environment
Most children will probably use up around five to seven thousand diapers before switching to underclothes and the production of disposable diapers has a severe impact on the environment. For example, cutting down trees, producing plastic, using various chemicals, transporting them, and finally allowing the waste products of these processes to pollute the air, water and soil have an adverse effect on the environment. More than a hundred billion disposable diapers carted to garbage dumps every year worldwide vastly increases the ecological footprint of disposable diapers. However, reusing a few cloth diapers, say around 30, is a great improvement. In addition, using disposable diapers means that your baby’s faeces will end up in a landfill, creating biohazard and promoting the spread of diseases, as human waste is meant to go into the toilet alone. When you use cloth diapers, your baby’s faeces will be flushed down the toilet into the sewage line, where the city or town corporation will effectively treat the wastewater, finally releasing it back into water bodies.
With a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each type of diaper, you should now be able to understand which one is for you. You can opt for one or switch between the two based on your convenience. At the end of the day, it really depends on your preference and the comfort of your baby so trust your instincts - after all, 'Mommy Knows Best'!
Also Read: Baby Skin Care – Easy Tips for Keeping Your Baby’s Skin Healthy Read more
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The Almost Unbelievable Story of a Baby Girl Who Was Born Twice!
The birth of your baby is an event the entire family looks forward to for months! The grandparents have grand plans and the Dad-to-be can barely contain his excitement. The birthday becomes an annual celebration and quite the biggest party for you. But what if your little one was born into the world not once but twice? Wait, how can you possibly be born twice? Will that mean you will have two birthdays every year? What happened in the time frame between the two births? Well, the story of how and why this little girl was born twice will not only answer your queries but also amaze you with wonder and merriment!
It happened when mom-to-be Margaret went for a routine ultrasound just 16 weeks into her pregnancy. She hadn’t expected the frightening result. There was a tumour in the tailbone of her unborn baby! Tumours can be extremely dangerous even for fully grown adults. One can only imagine the diagnosis this meant for her little one. The cause for this tumour (called teratoma) is unknown, and while it is very rare, it occurs in girls four times more frequently than in boys. In some cases, it is possible to give birth to a healthy baby and then have her tumour dealt with. But for Margaret’s baby, this wasn’t an option. The tumour was competing with the foetus for the body’s blood flow. Very soon, her heart could just fail to keep up, ending her life. Everything looked very bleak…
It was then that her doctor suggested a medical procedure involving a seemingly impossible operation! Margaret’s womb would be opened up. Her foetus would be taken out and operated upon. The baby would be then put back in and the uterus would be sewed up. If this sounds horrifying, let us tell you that this would also be do-or-die. It wasn’t a straightforward decision for the parents-to-be. But they knew that this was the only hope their child had.
The operation took place. The baby’s heart slowed down to a standstill. It was a highly critical procedure where the bulk of her tumorous growth was removed. Things could go either way as the operation progressed. She was in a world for which she wasn’t ready yet. This was a first birth where she was fragile, ill and totally dependent on medical support. But she was somehow kept alive by a specialist. This little one was a fighter who battled on outside her mother’s womb for a whole 20 minutes.
“Once the surgeons reached the baby she was lifted so she was ‘hanging out in the air.’ Essentially, the foetus is outside, like completely out, all the amniotic fluid falls out, it’s actually fairly dramatic.”
After the operation, Margaret was kept on bedrest. And lo and behold, the baby made it through to nearly 36 weeks – a full term of pregnancy. She then came into the world as Lynlee Hope. This was her second birth. This was when she entered the world as a baby whose birth weight was normal and who had no health complications. The infant whose chances of survival alone had seemed faint some weeks ago was now as healthy as any other baby in the nursery.
“It was a choice of allowing the tumour to take over her body or giving her a chance at life. It was an easy decision for us: we wanted to give her life. It was her second birth, basically. I was willing to endure all those risks to give her a chance at life.”Today, Lynlee has made a full recovery and the family is delighted with their newest member. For them, she stands for delight, love and hope – just like her name. Her story proves the amazing advancement that medical science has made and the miracles it is making possible. It also emphasizes the importance of routine testing during pregnancy, for had the tumour not been detected in time, this story would have had a very different ending. But let us dwell on the happiness of the moment. Both mom and daughter are perfectly healthy now and have embarked on a beautiful journey together. We do hope this little girl will get to celebrate two birthdays every year – she deserves to! Read more
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Be a Responsible Parent, Teach Your Kids Good Habits, and Make Them the Best Amongst All
There are times when children behave naughtily and act stubborn with us in front of guests or family gatherings. Even yet, if we teach them how to interact with their parents and others on a daily basis, they will quickly grasp the concept. Not all children are the same. Never underestimate your child in comparison to others. This gives children the impression that they aren't appreciated. As a mother, I enjoy hearing how well-behaved my child is in front of strangers and family members. Every day, we see and develop good habits, and it all starts at home. You must invest more time with your children, which is more pleasant for them than using a phone, playing games, or doing other activities.
Good habits encompass not only the activities they engage in on a daily basis, but also their behaviour, mental growth and development, vision, and perspectives. This is how excellent habits are established. It's simple for them because their grasping capacity is high at this time; otherwise, you won't be able to educate them on what's good or bad for them later. We don't know what to expect from the next generation. Please ensure that your child is free to share anything they do outside the home, as every parent must be aware of their child's every move.
So, be kind with your children and avoid being overly strict with them. If they're doing something incorrectly, explain and take care of them rather than shouting at them. It causes them a great deal of pain, and as a result, they react even more poorly to anyone around them. Of course, keep an eye on your child's behaviour to see what is really bothering them. Who will be more responsible for your child if you aren't?
A busy schedule prevents parents from focusing solely on their children, but this is no excuse because giving birth is more than a formality. You've brought them into this wonderful world; now it's your responsibility to make them your first priority and guide them right. So, whether you are a mother or a father, please concentrate on what's wrong with your child and call attention to it right away.
Thank you very much.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. i am 39 week of pregnant and having AFI level of 8 is this normal?and is delivery possible for me?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. yes. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the childdo ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
5 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
4 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
3 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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