Is it Safe to Make Newborn Babies Wear Diapers Daily
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A question asked by most mothers and mostly grandmothers is whether it is safe to make newborn babies wear diapers daily. While older generations believe that disposable diapers hampered the child’s natural growth and affected milestones, the new generation started focusing on eco-friendly cloth diapers and their benefits.
So back then, newborn diapers or nappies were simply triangular pieces of cloth made of cotton covering the baby’s bottoms. After the introduction of disposable diapers, mothers got a lot of relief that they did not have to wash soiled clothes anymore.
The term diapers have always been associated with disposable diapers. These are made of non-biodegradable materials that are not considered suitable for the baby’s skin in the long run. However, the market has natural, eco-friendly alternatives to disposable diapers – The Cloth Diapers.
Continuously wearing a diaper can dry the baby’s bottoms and may even leave rashes. So, airing the baby’s bottoms between diaper changes is a good idea. In addition, while disposable newborn diapers are made of Superabsorbent polymers or SAPs (polymers can absorb and retain liquid multiple times), cloth diapers are made of cotton, which is easily biodegradable.
Not that disposable newborn diapers aren’t safe for the baby, but cloth diapers are much safer options. Nevertheless, we will list out safe ways of using disposable and cloth diapers.
Following are tips for using disposable diapers –
- Skincare – Once you change the diaper, you should clean the area with a wet sponge or wash the bottoms thoroughly. Dry well and leave it to air for a while. Apply a moisturizer while still slightly moist. Check for skin colour changes/patches on the skin/rashes. Apply a diaper rash cream if there are rashes. Once done, you can make the baby wear a fresh diaper.
- Overnight diapers – No two babies are alike in terms of sizes and the pee count. Choose overnight newborn diapers for those babies who wet more at night. These are thicker and have a much better capacity to absorb wetness.
- Changing diapers at the right time – The moment you notice a bulge in the diaper, you may want to check the diaper. No fixed time for changing diapers, but it shouldn’t exceed three hours either. Avoid leaving the baby in a wet diaper for long to avoid any infections or rashes.
The above-mentioned are tips for the safe use of disposable newborn diapers. Now we shall list out tips for the hygienic use of cloth diapers. There are a lot of apprehensions among parents who want to switch to cloth counterparts of disposable newborn diapers.
- A first-time cloth diaper mom must wash and dry the diapers. It is also called prepping before the initial use of new diapers. After that, moms can even use preloved cloth diapers. They need to treat them well before using them.
- Just like its disposable counterpart, a cloth diaper must be changed every 2-3 hours. However, in a cloth diaper, you will know whether it is wet faster than the former.
- Most of the time, the linings/inserts (inner layer) in a cloth diaper must be treated in boiling water. Then, the outer cover needs to be rinsed and washed in soft detergent water. Sun-drying is the best way to sanitize the diapers.
- First-time users of newborn cloth diapers need to keep the size and weight of the baby while choosing the appropriate newborn diaper. Good cloth diaper brands will mention the baby’s weight on cloth diapers while selling them.
- Lastly, mothers must buy spare pins, fasteners, and extra covers and linings for the diaper.
- Keep a pack of spare disposables, especially when you are travelling. They can come in use during an emergency. Always carry extra bags too to carry the soiled diapers.
- A plus point of cloth diapers is that they can be recycled and used as baby bibs, burp cloths and changing pads at home. And if you know another new mom, you can also hand over your cloth diapers, provided they are in good condition. They do last long.
Types of cloth diapers
New moms can choose among these diapers & covers that accompany them –
1. All-in-One (AIO) / UNO
Recommended for most first-time moms, this type is an all-in-one diaper. It has one layer which absorbs all moisture and is surrounded by a leak proof layer. It mimics a disposable diaper with an insert, which is half attached to the cover and makes it easier to dry.
2. Pocket Diapers
These are pockets in the diaper where a separate inner lining layer can be comfortably tucked in the pouch. The linings, generally made of fleece and suede, are good at absorbing moisture and keeping the baby’s bottoms dry for a long time.
3. Nappies & Langots
These come with drawstrings and are suitable for newborn babies. A nappy of langot is not waterproof and can hold up to one pee.
4. Padded Underwear
Padded underwear is underwear with multiple layers of absorbent material. These cloth diapers are most suitable for potty training and can soak up to one pee.
So, while investing in disposable newborn diapers online or cloth diapers, mothers must choose wisely. Both have their pros and cons. It is what suits your baby’s skin and is best for the environment that matters the most.