Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers

Which one is better?

The cloth diapers of today's market are much improved over past diapers, which sometimes were thin and not very effective. Today's diapers are often several layers thick, made of highly absorbent fibers, like hemp, and come in many varieties. Disposable diapers, too, are much improved than those of the past. Simple plastic diapers are at the base level, though many new styles feature kid-friendly characters and colors on the outside with insides that are highly absorbent of both liquid and odor.

The baby's health

Of course, the biggest concern of any parent is the health and well-being of their small child. Whether a newborn, a toddler or a child closing in on potty training, diaper rash is always at the top of a parent's mind. Absorbency of the diaper is the key ingredient in a plan for preventing diaper rash, which comes from the skin being wet and the forming of bacteria. Some parents have concerns about using disposable diapers because the diapers are often dyed and/or chemically treated with fragrances or other things. Plastic tabs on disposable diapers can also be harmful to a baby's skin if they come dislodged. The Journal of Pediatrics did a study that showed just over half of babies one year old that are diapered with disposables have diaper rash. Cloth diapers can also cause diaper rash if they are not cleaned well or changed often enough. Depending on the fabric of the diaper, some are more absorbent than others. All babies are different, and whether diapered in disposable or cloth, diapers need to be changed frequently, the baby needs to be cleaned properly and cloth diapers need to be laundered regularly.

Price Concerns

Diapers are one of the largest costs when it comes to caring for a child. Disposable diapers average around $60 a month, a diaper service costs about $65 to $70 a month and laundering cloth diapers at home costs around $45 to $50 a month. Disposable diapers run the gamut when it comes to price: some include just the basics and others include all the bells and whistles. A diaper service, too, can vary widely in cost, depending on the part of the country, the quality of the diapers and the frequency of service. Washing diapers at home varies, too, because of the wide variety of cloth diapers and materials and the life of the diaper. Costs also depend on the type of machine a parent uses. Generally speaking, most experts believe that buying and laundering cloth diapers at home are a cheaper plan, long-term, than purchasing disposable diapers or using a service, though ultimately, one must make the best choice for their family.

Saving the Earth

There is a lot of debate between the pro-disposable and the pro-cloth camps of moms and dads. Pro-cloth parents say the disposable diapers fill up landfills and are potentially harmful to children and the environment, pro-disposable parents say the water it takes to clean cloth diapers makes the two types nearly equal. It is of course ultimately the parents' choice, but consider that according to one source, nearly two billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually. Some disposable diapers are biodegradable, but many are not. It takes hundreds of years for plastic diapers to decompose. The amount of water it takes for a parent to wash diapers at home is the equivalent of flushing a toilet about five times a day for one week. Parents who go with cloth can expect to do at least two extra loads of laundry per week. Solids flushed down the toilet - usually from parents using cloth diapers - are treated safely in wastewater treatment plants instead of going to landfills.

What is most convenient?

For many parents, disposable diapers are convenient, clean and easy. They are great for travel, as they can simply be tossed instead of washed, and disposables can be changed less frequently because they are so absorbent. Cloth diapers, in their most recent incarnations, are nearly as convenient as disposables. They can be fastened without pins and come in many colorful, stylish prints. Diaper covers, too, are often cute and stylish for children of any age and sex. Multiple layers and natural fibers like hemp also make cloth diapers nearly as absorbent as disposables. Parents who travel and don't want to deal with dirty diapers can use flushable liners to keep things neater.