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The do's and don'ts of diapering
You're going to change somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 diapers before the average toddler is potty-trained. We don't have to tell you that when that diaper needs changing, your little one's going to let you know loud and clear. Loud anyway. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. As long as that someone is you, you might as well make things as easy as possible on yourself -- and your baby -- by stocking your diaper supply wisely.
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The Great Debate: Cloth vs. Disposable
Much ado has been made about the relative benefits and shortcomings of cloth and disposable diapers. Contrary to what you may have heard, disposable diapers do not spread intestinal viruses and do not have a significantly more harmful effect on the environment than cloth. In terms of the environment, the two almost even each other out. True, disposable diapers take up landfill space, but cleaning cloth diapers uses energy and water.
- Disposable diapers labeled "biodegradable" need fresh air and sunshine to actually break down, neither of which is readily available in a landfill. In other words, don't bother paying extra for them.
- The lowest number of diaper rash instances are associated with professionally laundered cloth diapers and disposable diapers. Home-laundered cloth diapers are the biggest offenders.
- Your child's diaper-wearing career will set you back about $600 per year for disposables, $400 for a diaper service, and less than $100 for home-washed cloth.
- Fully 95% of diaper-buying parents choose disposable diapers.
Choosing the Perfect Diaper: Let's Get to the Bottom of It
For starters, there are four basic styles of disposable diapers to choose from:
- Basic: Most parents' last choice, these tend to be thicker and bulkier than the other styles.
- Ultrathin: The most popular style, many ultrathin diapers have the same or even better absorbency capabilities than more "deluxe" varieties.
- Supreme or premium: Usually the difference is in the features more than the performance. For example, supreme or premium styles might feature a clothlike cover or reclosable Velcro fasteners. If you're a savvy shopper, you may be able to find these same features on a cheaper, ultrathin style.
- Overnight: Specially designed to hold more liquid than everyday diapers, overnight styles do the trick in the wee hours.
Once you determine the style and features you prefer, you might have to experiment a little before finding the perfect fit. Your baby's body is changing quickly, so remember to adjust accordingly.
- Too big, too small, just right. Sizes vary from brand to brand; be sure to check the weight requirements for the most accurate fit.
- Diaper price increases with diaper size. In other words, bigger costs more. To be the most economical, choose the smallest diapers possible without sacrificing your baby's comfort and buy in the largest package available.
- When evaluating the effectiveness of a diaper, consider the following:
- How reliably does it prevent leaks?
- Does it keep your baby's skin dry?
- Does the padding shift or bulk up?
- How well do the fasteners hold?
- What's the price per diaper?
Become a Quick-Change Artist
No matter what diapers you use, the best possible way to keep your baby comfortable and healthy is to change a dirty diaper as soon as possible after it's soiled. You will probably end up changing your baby's diaper eight to 12 times a day. Clean your baby's skin before putting on a new diaper and remember to always wipe from front to back, on both boys and girls.
The Well-Stocked Changing Table
- Always have plenty of clean diapers on hand. This is one thing you don't want to run out of.
- Baby wipes are quick and easy. If they irritate your baby's skin, try an unscented, hypoallergenic variety, or use plain water (keep it handy in a spray bottle) and a clean cloth. If a diaper's only wet, all you really need to do is replace it with a dry one.
- Diaper ointments act as a protective barrier between wetness and a baby's sensitive skin.
- Use baby powder sparingly, if at all. Some babies can get rashes or irritation, and breathing it in can be dangerous to a baby's lungs.
- A lidded diaper pail with a deodorizer helps keep odors in check.
- Keep your baby happy during changing by playing a favorite song or offering a special toy. (Things can get messy, so make sure the toy is washable or easy to clean.)
- Have everything you need easily within your reach (and out of baby's reach).
- Never leave a baby unattended on the changing table.
- Place the changing table up against a wall to keep the baby from rolling off.
The Diaper Bag Survival Kit
- Large, soft-sided bag big enough to hold everything
- Clean diapers and plastic bags to hold dirty diapers
- Wipes, powder, and ointment
- Clean baby clothes and an extra blanket
- Food, bottles, and bib
- Medicine, if necessary, and your pediatrician's phone number
- Toys and pacifier
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Absorbents
Absorbents soak up urine and moisture, keeping them away from your baby's skin to prevent irritation. They can be synthetic or natural. Their most important function is to keep your baby dry. A dry bottom is unlikely to develop diaper rash, making you and your baby happy.
Diaper materials
Without the other diaper materials, your baby's diaper would be an ill-fitting lumpy mess. Synthetic polymers help keep your baby's diaper in top form and prevent urine from leaking out of the diaper.
| Absorbents | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Polyacrylate | ? | Serves to effectively absorb moisture and prevent leakage. It is located in the center of diapers in crystal form and is nontoxic. Urine combines with the crystals to form a gel that cannot leak out of the diaper. | | Cellulose wood pulp | ? | Used to make the absorbent padding of diapers. It absorbs urine like a sponge. | | Diaper Materials | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Polyester | ? | A synthetic material that forms the waist hooks and prevents diapers from sagging. | | Polyethylene | ? | Forming the backsheet of a diaper, it's a synthetic material that improves the fit and prevents leaks in diapers. | | Polypropylene | ? | Forming the topsheet and stretch side panels, it's a synthetic material that improves the fit and prevents leakage in a diaper. | | Rubber | ? | Used to make the elastic strands that help the baby fit snugly into the diaper. |
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Appropriate Uses
Cotton diapers
Absorbs urine leakage and keeps baby's skin dry.
Disposable diapers
Absorbs urine leakage and keeps baby's skin dry. They absorb more liquid than cotton diapers.
Disposable training pants
Absorbs accidents at night for the toilet-trained child.
Gender-specific diapers
Provides greater absorbency in the areas that receive the greatest leakage concentrations -- in the front for boys and in the middle for girls.
Overnight diapers
Absorbs a greater volume of liquid than regular diapers. They also leak less than regular diapers.
Avoiding Diaper Rash
Your baby should be changed eight to 12 times per day, especially after meals and after urinating or defecating.
Other tips to avoid diaper rash include:
- Choosing diapers that are not too tight.
- Letting the baby air dry between changes.
- Applying petroleum jelly to dry, unbroken skin before putting on a new diaper.
- Cloth diapers need to be changed more often than disposable ones.
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Diaper Rash Woes
Diaper rash can occur for many reasons:
- Prolonged contact between baby's skin, urine, and feces
- Soap residue in inadequately laundered, reusable cloth diapers
- Allergies to perfumes or other materials in disposable diapers
- Diarrhea and other illnesses
Be Careful
Diaper pins may become brittle and break, causing puncture wounds. Throw away any dull diaper pins.
Decrease the Yuck Factor
Be sure that diaper pails are closed tightly and out of child's reach.
Don't Play with the Diapers
Your baby could choke on tab attachments or the torn lining of disposable diapers.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Jones, S; W Freitag.Guide to Baby Products, 5th ed. Consumer Reports Books, Yonkers, NY, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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