Choosing Diapers for Your Baby
Do you know that your baby is likely to spend around 1000 days in diapers, and might require at least 5,000 diaper changes all this while?
Therefore, what you choose for your baby is going to affect her skin, comfort, and health. However, your selection is likely to be influenced by budgetary considerations. While cloth diapers are inexpensive and easy to use, disposable diapers cannot be reused and are costlier.
Disposable diapers were introduced in early 60's, and they changed the entire industry scenario thereafter. The disposable diapers used waterproof plastic layer outside the diaper, and a pad treated with absorbent chemicals along with an inner liner. The use of chemicals, such as Sodium polyacrylate ensures that diaper absorbs more fluid while its upper surface remains dry. However, the exposure to such chemicals also increases the risk of developing allergic reactions. If inhaled, the small amount of Sodium polyacrylate can also lead to death.
Besides the use of harmful chemicals, there is a growing concern on the use of disposable diapers. This is because nearly 5 million tons of natural body excrement is getting added everyday via disposables, which is likely to have scores of intestinal viruses. This is also contaminating the groundwater all across the globe.
The disposable diapers are not biodegradable as 30 percent of material used in making these diapers is plastic. As more and more people are getting environment conscious, the popularity and demand for cloth diapers for babies is also growing. Not only cloth diapers are simple to use and less complicated, but they are also environment-friendly.
Many people argue that disposable diapers augment the risk of diaper rash. In fact, there are many misconceptions related to diaper rash. Remember, the diaper rash can occur with the use of any type of diaper- cloth or disposable. Diaper rash would surely make your child miserable. Many people say that diaper rash is abnormal, and it indicates that the baby is allergic to certain types of foods or drinks. But, developing diaper rash is completely natural. But, the good news is that you can always control the occurrence of diaper rash. But, you first need to understand what causes diaper rash. As the baby's skin is very sensitive, the exposure to chemical and moisture caused by body's excrement such as urine can make it more sensitive. However, there are many ways to prevent or minimize diaper rash. You should change your baby's diapers more often, and try changing them once in every 2 hours in newborns and 3-4 hours in children above 1 year of age. If you are using disposable diapers, try using different brands. Changing different brands of diapers may allow you find the best one which suits your baby in terms of size and fitting. This would cause less wetting, and thus less diaper rash.
In case your baby develops diaper rash, you can use Petroleum ointment, which is a very good ointment for daily use. You can also use White zinc oxide, which is a thicker ointment, which is ideal for babies, who are more prone to develop diaper rash.
Sandra Rathbun is a parent of three beautiful babies and the owner of Baby, a blog she regularly writes on about her experiences with free baby samples.
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