The benefits of reusable diapers
When I tell my family, acquaintances, and friends that my children used reusable diapers, I am often met with great surprise. This is accompanied by questions such as: “Really? You wash diapers? You still use cloth diapers? Why? Do you really want to?” Well, yes, I do, because reusable diapers have many benefits and, in my opinion, they are much better than disposable ones. The advantages of reusable diapers are really numerous.
The benefits of reusable diapers
- They are safe: they do not contain harmful chemicals, they do not cause allergies, and they are not bleached with chlorine.
Reusable diapers are made of materials that are safe for children's skin. First of all, unlike many disposable diapers, they do not contain any chemicals designed to absorb moisture, which are often allergenic. Reusable diapers, or rather their absorbent inserts, absorb moisture just like clothing fabric. Of course, their absorbency is much greater than that of clothing. The materials used to make reusable diapers and reusable absorbent inserts are not bleached with chlorine. This is very important for the health of our children. As a result of chlorine bleaching, harmful substances may remain inside the diaper, which are not harmless to children's health. And it should be noted that a number of popular disposable diapers are bleached in this way! - Reusable diapers – they don't cause diaper rash or overheat.
I think the biggest reason people are reluctant to use reusable diapers is the myth and misconception that they cause diaper rash. First of all, modern reusable diapers are made of materials that “breathe,” i.e., they allow water vapor to escape.
Whether it's PUL (laminated polyester) or wool, these materials have breathable properties. At the same time, the properties of these materials are amazing because they do not allow moisture to pass through – in other words, they work as we expect a diaper to work.
When using pocket diapers, “dry bum” inserts, or microfleece-lined inserts, moisture is drawn away from the child's skin. The child stays dry.
Importantly, especially for boys, reusable diapers do not overheat the child's body (the testicles in boys). Reusable diapers are never as tight as disposable ones.
Children really have room to breathe in them and feel comfortable.
3. They are eco-friendly.
Reusable diapers are definitely more environmentally friendly than disposable ones. First of all, we use the same set of diapers for the entire diapering period. The diapers don't end up in the trash. We are used all the time (similar to clothes). When we have a second child, we continue to use the same diapers. This is definitely a very eco-friendly solution, in the spirit of zero waste. Once the diapering period is over, we can sell the diapers. Meanwhile, in the case of disposables, every used diaper ends up in the trash. Unless we choose eco-friendly diapers, disposable diapers are among the most troublesome types of waste, taking several hundred years to decompose. A single child produces 1.5 tons of waste in about 2 years of diapering! It's scary – really.
4. They are economical.
Many people have confirmed this – reusable diapers are definitely more economical than even the cheapest disposable ones. And during the diapering period, they bring real savings to the household budget. For one child, this can bring savings of around $1,500–3,000, and this increases if we use reusable diapers for subsequent children. It really pays off. We recommend our article on savings on diapering.
5. Reusable diapers help you learn about your child's physiology.
With reusable diapers, you can closely monitor what and how much your child has done. In addition, reusable diapers are changed frequently, so your child is not literally sitting in their pee and poop.
6. Reusable diapers promote faster potty training
7. Reusable diapers are soft and comfortable. They don't smell like chemicals.
Before I knew about reusable diapers, one of the things that put me off changing diapers the most was the unpleasant chemical smell of disposable diapers. Honestly, it was awful and hard to bear. At first, I thought it might be the smell of sterilization, but I quickly verified the information: disposable diapers are not sterilized at all. The smell comes from the chemicals inside the diaper. Reusable diapers don't have this. And it really improves the comfort of use – both for me and my child.
The diapers are soft – they don't rustle. They are comfortable – when sewn properly, they are safe for children's hips. Complete comfort.
8. They are colorful and pretty.
This is an aesthetic argument – but why not mention it: reusable diapers are pleasing to the eye. They are pretty: they have fabulous patterns and colors. Since we choose pretty clothes for our children, why not diapers?