Smart Diaper Choices for Smart Parents

Tickles cloth diapers: Bringing the goodness of nature & skilled craftsmanship for your baby

Disposable diapers, undoubtedly, are very practical as they have made parenting much easier. However, we cannot overlook the drawbacks of disposable diapers. While some of them might be dangerous to your toddlers’ health, almost all are harmful to the environment.

Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are sustainable but not the most convenient option, especially outdoors.

So, what should you choose, comfort or eco-consciousness? In this article, we weigh up both disposable and reusable diapers to help you find a viable solution.

Pros of Disposable Diapers

It’s a breeze

Disposable diapers are parents’ favourite because they are easily available and are easy to use.

Once they get wet or soiled, you just have to toss them off into your bins. Unlike reusable cloth diapers, they involve no poop scooping or deep cleaning.

A common reason why young parents might not prefer cloth diapers is because changing them and washing soiled diapers could be difficult during travelling.

Soaks it up

Another reason why disposable diapers are so popular is that they are highly absorbent and breathable.

The absorbance and breathability of cloth diapers vary from brand to brand, depending on the composition of the material. To get high absorbance, especially overnight, inserts could be used.

Size matters

Disposable diapers come in many sizes. Growing babies don’t have to suffer from tight diapers or their movements restricted by loose ones. There are multiple size options your baby could perfectly fit in.

Cloth diapers also have size options, but the range isn’t as broad as that of disposable diapers.

Pros of Re-usable Cloth Diapers

Eco-friendly

The single most important reason most parents prefer cloth diapers over easy-to-use disposable diapers is that they are eco-friendly and sustainable.

As they reused after a wash, they do not end up in landfills like disposable diapers. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the number of diapers thrown into landfills every year is about a startling figure of 8 billion.

A single disposable diaper takes about 500 years to degrade itself. This means every single diaper ever made is still out there in a landfill releasing its toxins into its surrounding.

Besides this, disposable diapers contain urine and faeces which increases the threat of bacteria and viruses leaching into surface and groundwater. This introduces the toxins from the diaper to the water system.

Butt friendly

As stated earlier, some disposable diapers are not safe for babies. Disposable diapers include Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), active compounds of ethylene, benzene, xylene, and toluene, polyacrylates, or phthalates.

Babies have soft skin. These harsh chemicals could lead to various skin rashes, allergies. If the diapers are left unchanged for long, they could also lead to infections and toxins entering your baby’s system.

Cloth diapers are much safer in this aspect. However, this largely depends on the fabric of the diapers.

Nevertheless, cloth diapers are safer when changed as frequently as disposable diapers.

Pocket friendlys

Your baby needs more diapers in a day than you might anticipate before the arrival of the baby.

Diapers must be changed frequently to avoid the consequences mentioned above. Let’s say your baby needs 8 diapers in a day. A pack of 64 diapers, which cost about 800 rupees for a reasonable brand, will last for 8 days. This adds up to rupees 3,200 every month, that is rupees 38,400 annually. This is when we take 8 as the minimum requirement.

Cloth diapers, as they are reusable, last much longer. They can be washed after each change and reused. This makes them highly cost effective. They are so easy to maintain that they can also be passed down to your next child.

What’s the verdict?

Disposable diapers are easy to use. But they are expensive, not always safe for your baby and definitely harmful to the environment.

Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are gentle, sustainable, and cost-efficient but are not easy to use. They need to be washed after use and are not the best travelling companion.

Is there a solution?

Look at the brighter side

Both disposable and reusable diapers have their own pros and cons. A good strategy would be to pick the best from each.

Cloth diapers are more viable in normal circumstances and also a relief on your pocket. However, this doesn’t imply the complete elimination of disposable diapers.

Disposable diapers can be used outdoors during travelling and family trips.

A balance between these two would lead a long way. And if it doesn’t, you’ll at least know what works for you and what doesn’t.

So, what’s your verdict?