Deep Dive into Disposables
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Pros • Ease of Use: Since disposable diapers are so common, most
people already know how to use them, so there won’t be a
learning curve for your babysitter, family members or childcare
provider. Plus, the ability to change a diaper and toss it on the fly
is key for many parents.

• Timesaving: No washing or drying is required with disposable
diapers — and less laundry at this stage of baby’s life is a
good thing.

Cons • Chemicals: Disposable diapers are typically made with bleach
and dyes (the dyes are what makes the cute patterns), although
some more natural diapers use less chemicals than others.

“You can’t get rid of all chemicals because that’s what keeps the
disposable diapers absorbent and prevents them from leaking,”
says Albertson.

• Cost: You could easily buy and discard several thousand
disposable diapers before your child learns to use the toilet. Is it
any wonder why the industry enjoys approximately $30 billion or
more in annual revenues?
• Environment: Disposable diapers are said to make up about 50% of
a family’s waste. Approximately 3.6 tons of disposable diaper waste
will end up in landfills, according to a report in the journal Advances
in Technical Nonwovens.

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ALL THE RIGHT
RESOURCES …
WHEN MOST of us think about
diapers, disposable ones such as
Pampers, Luvs and Huggies are
what come to mind. They are more
popular than cloth diapers, making
up approximately 95% of diaper
use, according to The Green Guide.

“The vast majority of U.S.

parents choose disposable diapers,
at least for some of the time …
especially in the beginning when
baby can have a poopy diaper after
each feed,” says Sharon Mazel,
who co-authored the fourth and
fifth editions of “What to Expect
When You’re Expecting” and
other books in the series.

Disposable diapers allow for
quick, easy diaper changes.

However, with convenience comes
cost. Disposable diapers cost about
$2,500 over the duration of the
time babies are in diapers. If you
want to use disposable diapers that
are more environmentally friendly,
such as those made by Honest or
Seventh Generation, the cost can
be even higher.




Cloth Diaper Characteristics
WHILE DISPOSABLE DIAPERS are
more widely used, cloth diapers are
making a comeback.

“To succeed with cloth diapering,
you must have the information,” says
Albertson, who cloth diapered both her
daughters. “Like everything, if you don’t
have the support you won’t stick with it.”
Prefolds are the most basic form of
cloth diapers as well as the most economical—about $2 each. Folded into an absorbent rectangle,
they sit inside a waterproof diaper cover, which you purchase separately. When it’s time for a
diaper change, simply swap out the soiled prefold for a clean one and wipe off the diaper cover.

Pocket diapers have a built-in absorbent pocket for removable inserts, and all-in-one diapers,
where the absorbent layer is already attached to the waterproof outer layer. Both can only be used
once before washing, and they tend to cost a few dollars more than the combined price of a prefold
and a diaper cover. Still, they are less expensive than disposable diapers.

While cost is a big benefit, the downside to cloth diapers is the commitment. Cloth diapers
require a lot of washing, but you can make the process easier (see sidebar).

HOW TO WASH
CLOTH DIAPERS
1. Flush solid waste down the toilet.

2. Presoak heavily soiled cloth
diapers in cold water.

3. Wash diapers in hot water with a
mild detergent and bleach.

4. Double-rinse diapers
in cold water.

5. Skip fabric softener and
dryer sheets.

SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC
Pros Cons
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• More Diaper Changes: Since they aren’t made with chemicals, cloth diapers are less
absorbent than disposables, so be prepared to change baby’s diaper more often. You’ll also
have several more loads of laundry each week, which, besides being time consuming, can
result in higher water and electricity bills.

• The Inconvenience Factor: Learning how to use cloth diapers requires a little more effort
than disposables, and some daycare providers are reluctant to allow them. Also, if you have
to change a cloth diaper while you’re out, you’re stuck with it until you get home.

While some parents swear that cloth diapers
prevent diaper rash better than disposables,
there’s no compelling evidence for this claim,
according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Diaper rashes can happen to all babies,”
Mazel says. “The best way to prevent diaper
rash is to change your baby’s diaper often, and
after cleaning your baby’s bottom, let it dry
completely. I use the diaper to fan baby’s tush
before applying diaper cream or ointment.

Otherwise, you’d just be trapping in more
moisture, leading to discomfort and a greater
chance of rash for your baby.”
Different Choices for
Different Parents
IF YOU’RE STILL on the fence, you can
consider another option: hybrid diapers.

Pairing reusable cloth diaper covers with a
disposable inserts, hybrid diapers are more
convenient than cloth diapers and less
wasteful than disposable ones. Pampers Pure
Protection Hybrid Diapers, for example,
produce 25% less landfill waste compared
to their Pure Protection disposable diapers,
according to the Pampers website.

In the end, deciding on diapers is going to
come down to what’s best for your family.

Parents should weigh the pros and cons,
figure out their priorities and make the choice
that works for them. While not everyone
will agree on what type of diapers is best,
everyone agrees that diaper decisions are an
individual choice. n
Diaper Insecurity Amid
COVID-19 Diapers are a necessity, but
they aren’t affordable for
everyone. With the pandemic,
diaper insecurity is at a high.

According to the National Diaper
Bank Network, local banks
experienced a 300% increase
in diaper demands and other
essentials for babies.

“Here in Baltimore, we have
seen demand for diapers
skyrocket,” says Amina
Weiskerger, executive director at
ShareBaby, a nonprofit providing
basic items to low-income
children. “We increased our
distribution by 300%, (which)
continues to persist as diaper
prices remain high.”
Prior to COVID-19, an
estimated one in three families
faced diaper need, but
Weiskerger says that the needs
are so much greater as a result
of lockdowns, job losses, supply
scarcity and illness.

WashingtonFAMILY.com 25
SUDS: VIORIKA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS;
BABY: STEPHANIE PHILLIPS/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
• Earlier Potty Training: Some people believe that babies who wear cloth diapers potty train
earlier because they can feel the wetness.

• Natural: Prefolds, inserts or all-in-ones are made from cotton, terry cloth or flannel without
any dyes or gels.

• Reusable: You can use the same cloth diapers with each of your kids. The upfront cost may
be more than disposable, but you can find long-term savings, especially if you plan to have
more than one child.