Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers?

Advantages of Disposable and Cloth Diapers

Disposable diapers have been considered the convenient way to go. Our siblings use them, our friends use disposables, and society has advertisements everywhere for them. Our grandparents and maybe our parents used cloth diapers with no problem for them. In addition, we turned out fine. With these things in mind, a closer look was warranted.

Advantages of disposable diapers:

1. Soiled diapers go straight from the child's bottom to the trash. No mess!
2. This product is easy to find. Every store has them.

Disadvantages of disposable diapers:

1. The cost of diapers is continuous. Although children are potty trained at different ages, we will use an average of three years each child will be wearing diapers. Children go through several of these each day. The price of diapers can be as much as $80.00 a month.
2. Environmental cost. Each diapers takes several hundred years to biodegrade.
3. Half of the children in disposables will develop rashes. These rashes may be due to the chemicals found in the diapers.

Advantages of cloth diapers:

1. The one-time cost is a disadvantage. However, after buying a number of cloth diapers, rubber pants, and diaper pins, there is no cost incurred.
2. The option to use a diaper service for cleaning the diapers or washing them yourself is entirely up to you.
3. They are environmentally friendly. These are washed, dried, and re-used.
4. The detergent and chemicals that your child is being exposed to is all up to you.

Disadvantages:

1. The initial cost of diapers, rubber pants, and diaper pins can be steep; but it is a one time cost. After that, your cost will be minimal.
2. They will take more of your time. Allow for two extra loads of laundry per week.
3. There is a mess involved. Each soiled diaper needs to be rinsed out in the toilet before it is washed.

The choice to use disposable diapers or cloth diapers is influenced by societal pressure. Although now, before you automatically give in to peer pressure, look at cloth diapers with an informed and open mind.