Anyone who has ever cared for a newborn or infant knows that one thing you can count on is the need for a fresh diaper. As such, diapers are a topic worthy of serious consideration as you will be using them from the moment your child is born until they are potty trained. Many parents have concerns about the chemicals used in diapers and how their baby will react to them. The issue of chemicals was one of the catalysts for the discussion of disposable vs. cloth diapers. It should be noted that you can find excellent options in both categories, but the use of chemicals is not the only thing to consider when it comes to diapers. Continue reading for our suggestions of topics to ponder when considering disposable vs. cloth diapers.
Cost
Since you will be using them for a long time, the cost is something that has to be factored in when making the decision on disposable vs. cloth diapers. Typically, cloth diapers have a larger initial investment because each diaper is more expensive and you will need to be a significant number of them to keep up with your newborn’s frequent urination and bowel movements. On the other hand, cloth diapers are reusable so it may be a worthwhile investment if you plan on having more kids.
Time
One of the major benefits of cloth diapers is that they are reusable, so you don’t have to go out and buy new diapers on a regular basis. However, if you are going to use them multiple times, they have to be cleaned after each use. As many of you may have guessed, the need to clean the cloth diapers equates to more laundry that must be done. The time spent on laundering cloth diapers is certainly worth pondering in the disposable vs. cloth diapers debate.
Out and About
While neither option may have an advantage when it comes to convenience at home, you still have to think about when you are not at home. Disposable diapers are convenient when you are visiting a park or museum because you can only throw them away when they are used. However, cloth diapers would require you to have a separate bag with you to put the dirty diapers into so they can be cleaned at home.