Cloth Nappies - Diapers

Cloth is better...maybe

The highly controversial and debateable question of whether to use cloth nappies or disposable ones is something that should be discussed prior to the birth of your first child. There are factors that may influence your decision, one of these is cost. An average child using cloth nappies will have around twenty nappies and five outer covers at an estimated cost of $500 but account has to be taken of washing and drying these nappies and the cost in your energy and time which is harder to put a figure on. If you choose to use disposable diapers the cost will vary as to whether you use the most expensive or a cheaper brand but an estimated cost of $2700 is likely. Here also, account has to be taken of transporting them home and storing and the disposal of waste and associated costs.

Neccessities of life

Cloth nappies or diapers were once an essential part of a parent’s ‘kit’ for the birth of their baby before the advent of disposables. The most common cloth diapers are made of layers of soft fabrics in the most generally available material. On the whole it is cotton terry towelling but bamboo, linen and hemp fibres are also used. It is vitally important that the fabric should be highly absorbent and comfortable for the baby.

Terry toweling nappies and diapers

Commonly, terry toweling diapers are bleached white with chemicals during the process of fabrication but it is possible to source unbleached cotton fabric diapers for the purist who prefers the natural and chemical free fabrics. Cloth diapers are reusable and can be washed and used again time after time which makes them extremely compatible for someone who wishes to be a friend to their environment and as a child will need between four and six thousand diapers before they are potty trained it is definitely an option which should be thought about.

Diaper/nappy liners are often used nowadays to make washing easier for the parent as these can be disposed of prior to the soaking and washing of the main fabric.

Disposable diapers

Nowadays we also have disposable diapers which although convenient to use are excessively expensive and have a disposable life span of approximately five hundred years which makes them extremely unfriendly to the environment. They contain many chemicals to aid the absorption process and as a consequence these chemicals may leach into the soil and water table when they are thrown away. They may also affect your child’s skin when it comes into contact with these chemicals particularly when it is wet, causing nappy rashes and other skin reactions. On the plus side, these diapers save time and energy in the fact that they do not have to be washed or dried and are available immediately they are needed. Many parents use these diapers in the early days after the child is born for the convenience and later switch to the more environmentally friendly option once they have gathered their resources.

Make your own

It is entirely possible to make your own reusable cloth diapers from your old, soft towelling remnants. These are so gentle next to the soft skin of the new baby. You only need a few sewing accessories and sewing thread, cut up the towelling pieces to the appropriate size and stitch around the edges, add a press stud to fasten them and you may even want to personalise them with a few embroidery stitches on a corner. These cloth nappies can be added to baby hampers as a fabulous homemade gift for the new mother.