Advantages and disadvantages of disposable diapers

As a new parent, you have to make many decisions quickly while taking care of your child. There is one decision you need to make ahead of time to stock up: what type of diaper you want to use.

Historically, all diapers were reusable, but today there are many more choices. Many parents use disposable diapers because they are lightweight and comfortable. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of disposable diapers and their safety issues.

Advantages of disposable diapers

It's no secret that changing diapers is not fun. It's smelly and sometimes dirty. Disposable diapers help parents minimize the stress and hassle of changing their baby, speeding up the process.

One-time use. Disposable diapers are meant to be thrown away. This is their main argument for most parents. Instead of cleaning and washing reusable diapers or relying on diaper service, you can simply pack a disposable diaper, put it in a diaper bucket, and stop thinking about it.
Practical. The fact that you can throw away used diapers also makes them perfect if you're short on time. The laundry process is time-consuming, and storing dirty reusable diapers while running errands is difficult and messy. Disposable diapers can be thrown away and go about your business.
Potentially more hygienic. When your baby gets dirty in a reusable diaper, you need to clean up that waste. Urine can be washed in the washing machine, and feces should be flushed down the toilet. Taking a dirty diaper into the bathroom has many chances of making a big mess, and keeping your hands clean can be a challenge.
Potentially less irritation. The materials used in disposable diapers wick moisture away from baby's skin. Diaper rash occurs when a baby's skin stays wet for too long. In most cases, disposable diapers help your baby stay dry better than reusable diapers and reduce the development of a rash.

Disadvantages of disposable diapers

Of course, disposable diapers are not perfect. There are several significant drawbacks that have caused many parents to revert to reusable diapers. These disadvantages include:

Waste. Many parents today are aware of their impact on the environment and try to minimize it. Disposable diapers cause waste because they are not recyclable. However, some diapers are compostable, which means they break down over time. These diapers require more work and cost more, but they're technically disposable, which means parents avoid plastic waste.
Potentially more irritation. The plastic and dyes in disposable diapers can sometimes cause a baby to develop a rash, especially if they have sensitive skin. Not all disposable diapers are suitable for this, but "hypoallergenic" diapers, which are less bothersome to your baby, are also more expensive in most cases. On the other hand, reusable diapers are less likely to contain these allergenic dyes.
Fragile. You should only use disposable diapers for a few hours. This means that they are not always solid. It is easy to accidentally break the tabs holding the diaper together, or the baby may crawl out of the diaper. Fragile diapers mean more leaks or more chances to fall out and cause a mess.

Using disposable diapers safely

There are a few things to keep in mind when using disposable diapers. By following these tips, your baby will be clean, safe and healthy as long as you use disposable diapers:

Always change dirty diapers. If you notice that your child has soiled a diaper, change it immediately. Dirty diapers can cause irritation and infection if worn for too long.
Keep everyone's hands clean. Both you and your child can get their hands dirty while changing. Keep your hands away from your face and don't touch anything other than your baby's diaper during the change. As soon as he has put on a new clean diaper, wash your child's hands. Then throw away the old diaper and wash your hands.
Keep your diaper changing area clean. Keep the changing area clean. After placing your baby in a fresh diaper, wipe down the station with an antibacterial wipe and let it air dry. Empty the diaper bin once a day to prevent bacteria growth and odors from escaping.