Cloth nappies vs. Diapers — We have a clear winner

There are only 3 acceptable reasons for not using disposable diapers:

Your baby is allergic to diapers (long shot, but possible).

You can’t afford them (this is totally legit).

You care about the earth and don’t believe that all our landfills will be replaced by space junk in the near future!

Every other argument for using cloth nappies instead of diapers is ho-hum. And I’ll prove it to you. Let’s take the ‘reasons’ one by one.

Myth 1: Diapers cause rashes nappies don’t

This just defies logic. Nappies are wet. Diapers are dry. When the folds of wet skin rub together babies get red, splotchy rashes. So when the pee runs down the baby’s bottom and leg, it is obviously bad for the baby. Here’s how to change a baby’s diaper – a new mum’s guide.

Myth 2:  No. No. You change the nappy instantly because babies cry when they are wet.

You can change the diaper too. The most disgusting thing most parents do is let the baby pee in it more than once. Don’t be a scrooge and wait for it to weigh half as much as the baby before changing it. There are diaper brands like Pigeon that have an indicator that changes colour when the diaper is wet. Here’s why you should change her diapers often.

Myth 3: Harsh chemicals in diapers can cause skin cancer

You have probably heard that dioxin in diapers is the bad boy of cancer and can impact baby’s skin. There are parabens in her lotion, sulphates in her shampoo and a whole bunch of things like non-BPA free toys she is exposed to that can cause cancer. Are you going to stretch this logic to every potential carcinogenic compound in your baby’s world? Then, why use it for diapers?

Myth 4: Nappies are more hygienic

I don’t see you make the switch to cloth pads instead of sanitary napkins. Even if you change the nappy, you don’t often change the bed sheet or cloth that the baby is lying on. With materials like ‘quick dry’ in the market, people usually just fold the wet part of the cloth and wash the bed sheet at the end of the day. Ever wonder why some people layer the baby’s bottom with talcum powder? It’s to hide the smell! Also read about 5 tips to prevent diaper rashes.

Myth 5: It’s harder to potty train with diapers

A child in diapers can also learn to use the toilet for pooping and have bladder control at night at the same age as a child in nappies. Potty training is one milestone that varies from child to child and has nothing to do with being diapered.

If you are tired of washing cloth nappies, you tend to try and potty train the child even before they are ready. Research shows that trying to pressure a child to be trained could be harmful.

Finally, the biggie: Environment

While landfills continue to be a concern, have you ever thought about the electricity used by the washing machine, the emissions of the machine itself, the detergents and the water that goes into washing nappies?
Plus, here’s where the disposable diaper is a boon:

When you travel even for a short distance and need to wait even 5 minutes to change the baby.

When the baby poops.

And, in the case of a boy baby, even when he pees and you don’t want a sprinkler effect.

The sheer convenience of just using bottom wipes and not washing the baby.

The list could go on.

Bottom line: Unless you are environmentalist who uses cloth pads instead of synthetic sanitary pads, there is no reason for you to skip diapers.

This article was originally published on www.thehealthsite.com