Parents are always on the lookout for ways to cut back on their expenses. Alongside this need is the need to be assured of the quality and safety of baby products available today. One such concern is which type of diapers to use.
As cited in an article at WhatToExpect.Com, the family lifestyle can be used as the basis of this decision. Some parents have busy schedules and do not bother at all about the expense of products, while others are conscious of the budget regardless of how busy they are.
There is already an array of choices on disposable diapers at the moment. One just have to go to the diaper aisle at the grocery store and check out the corresponding style, size and price to one's specification. But there are downsides to using disposables. There are studies which show that some babies are allergic to the chemicals and gels used to absorb wetness. The question now is on what makes the alternatives, like cloth diapers, better in the long run?
It's a given that using disposables is convenient especially during traveling since one does not have to bring the used ones home, unlike the cloth ones. But others would like to point out how the number of diapers being used and thrown on a daily basis and cumulated through several years can add to the environmental concerns regarding garbage disposal.
The Upside of Cloth Diapers
There are a number of styles and price range to choose from. Based on a Parenting.Com article, several types of cloth diapers can be chosen by parents. There are even companies which will allow a trial period for hesitant users, allowing a certain rental fee for the usage of their products. One can only pay initially and save much more in the long run compared to buying disposable diapers week after week.
Here is a list of types of cloth diapers:
- Flat cloth diapers - these are the simplest type and cheapest as well. They require waterproof covering but are otherwise easy to use with Snappis diaper fasteners.
- Prefolds- they can be made from cotton, wool, hemp, or bamboo. They have a rectangular shape and have several layers of clothing in the middle.
- Fitted- they are like disposable diapers in shape and can hold the mess much better because of the elastic at the leg and back.
- Pocket or sleeve diapers- they are hourglass in shape to better fit the babies' bottoms. They have a dry inner layer that absorbs wetness.
- All-in-ones - these are almost the same as pocket diapers except that the inner layers don't have to be inserted. They are as easy to use as disposable ones but the most expensive among the other styles.
