Everything you wanted to know about reusable diapers

Children

November 15, 2021, 12:00

• New level of comfort
• Types of reusable diapers
• How to use

Today, manufacturers of children's products offer a variety of baby care products that provide comfort for the baby and convenience for parents. So, in addition to traditional disposable diapers, reusable ones are produced, which are becoming increasingly popular. How can diapers be reusable? Are they really hygienic? How to use them?

Types of reusable diapers

Modern cloth diapers are different from their predecessors and come in the form of panties and inserts. Diapers from different manufacturers undoubtedly differ from each other, but the principle of operation remains the same: liners absorb moisture, and panties prevent moisture from getting out.

Inserts are made from different materials:

• cotton;
• microfiber;
• white bamboo fabric;
• charcoal bamboo fabric.

Cotton is mainly used for babies because... They are very soft and do not rub the baby’s delicate skin, but they absorb relatively little moisture, but for newborns you don’t need more.

Inserts come in different thicknesses:

• two-layer;
• three-layer;
• four-layer
• and five-layer.

The absorbency of the liners depends on the material from which they are made and the number of layers. Often several materials are used in one liner. For example, the outer layer in contact with the baby’s skin is made of fabric, which, due to its properties, allows moisture to pass through and remains practically dry, while the inner layers absorb moisture.

DIY diapers

How to sew reusable diapers with your own hands is of interest to many young mothers. It's not at all difficult to do this. Of course, it will take a little longer than stitching a simple diaper, but the result is worth it. You can create a pattern based on regular diapers. You can use fleece for sewing; leather breathes well in this material. So, we make reusable diapers with our own hands:

• Trace a standard diaper on paper with a pencil.
• For allowances, add a centimeter on each side.
• Transfer the pattern to pre-washed fabric.
• In accordance with the original, sew thin elastic bands on the back and for the bends of the legs.
• Sew on the Velcro.
• You can put inserts made of gauze, terry cloth, or cotton into ready-made diaper panties.

Reusable diaper charcoal bamboo

The best material is considered to be bamboo-charcoal (black), which has a good microstructure, excellent absorption capacity, antibacterial properties and is an environmentally friendly material.

In these liners, the outer layer is made of bamboo-charcoal fabric, and the inner layer is made of microfiber.

The panties in reusable diapers are made of special fabric that does not get wet, but allows air to pass through both when dry and when filled. The inner surface of the panties consists of fabric that is highly permeable to moisture, but remains practically dry. This design allows the baby’s skin to breathe and remain dry, and does not cause diaper rash or dermatitis.

There are elastic bands sewn into the back and sides of the legs, which additionally protect against leaks, tightly fitting the baby's body.

The outer fabric of panties also varies:

• polyester with a special waterproof coating (within reason, of course, this is not film),
• natural cotton fabric, but unfortunately it gets wet faster and more often;
• velor outer layer, very soft and pleasant to the body, beautiful colors, but such a diaper will take a very long time to dry.

The inner fabric in diapers is also used in different ways:

• microfleece;
• charcoal-bamboo;
• mesh is a summer option.

It should be noted that panties with mesh are quite practical and easy to use.

• firstly, they dry very quickly;
• secondly, they are thin and comfortable to wear;
• thirdly, “big things” are easily removed from them and are easily erased.

Some manufacturers offer additional protective rubber bands and an inner layer of charcoal-bamboo fabric.

Here, choose what your heart desires and what your pocket allows. There is now quite a large selection of reusable diapers, plain and multi-colored, with buttons and Velcro, made from different materials.

By the way, about buttons and Velcro. Here, too, choose what is most convenient for you.

1. There are panties that fasten with buttons . Usually there are 2 pieces on each side, but there is also an additional third one that regulates the fullness of the legs.
2. Panties fastened with Velcro . The disadvantage of such a fastener is its fragility and the fact that it can “cling” to clothing.

Review of brands

Gloryes. Gloryes reusable diapers are completely reminiscent of synthetic disposable diapers. They are easy to put on and take off. They fit snugly to the baby's body. They have a universal size. It is possible to adjust the width and height using Velcro and buttons. They have excellent leak protection. Washing is very comfortable. Gloryes reusable diapers have an excellent combination of materials. The outside is laminated polyester, while the inside is microfleece. Microfiber makes up the middle layer. The price of the product is from 450 to 500 rubles.

Coolababy. Reusable diaper panties of a classic model, which have earned positive reviews from mothers. The inner layer consists of bamboo-charcoal fiber. Protective sides protect against leaks. The depth and volume are adjusted using buttons. Perfect for cold weather. The product costs an average of 490 rubles.

"Dumplings." Domestic popular brand. The material is completely natural: cotton, gauze. There is no greenhouse effect. The absorption zone is a little thicker, the remaining parts easily wrap around the body. No rough seams. Neat line. There are triangular and rectangular models. Easily washable. Without membranes and Velcro. Economical price - from 230 to 250 rubles.

Why might a reusable diaper leak?

Yes, accidents sometimes happen, how could we live without them? There are several reasons for this, if you prevent them, you will succeed.

1. A new diaper may leak at first. After several washes the problem will go away. This is due to the fact that natural materials contain oils that need to be washed off so that the fabric begins to allow moisture to pass through and absorb it.
2. You wash the diaper with soap or add conditioner. This should be abandoned, because... the pores of the material inside the diaper become clogged.
3. You keep your baby in a diaper for too long and he just can't absorb any more.
4. You chose the wrong size or fastened the diaper and it does not fit tightly to the baby's skin. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the size of the diaper and you will find a position that suits your baby.
5. The insert inside the diaper has become dislodged. Straighten it well when dressing.

How to wash and dry reusable diapers?

Reusable diapers need to be properly cared for to ensure they last a long time and are of high quality.

1. Be sure to wash before first use.
2. Wash in warm water 30-40°C for daily use.
3. Wash once a week at 60°C to prevent bacterial growth.
4. Use the extra rinse function.
5. Machine wash on full cycle.
6. It is advisable to use liquid gel for washing children's clothes.
7. Do not use bleaches or fabric softeners.
8. Do not iron!
9. Can be dried in a washing machine.

IMPORTANT : Do not dry reusable diapers and inserts on hot radiators. Drying on warm radiators is allowed, or place some fabric under them. Dry your panties with the inner layer down and the outer layer up, because... the outer layer is very afraid of high temperatures.

If these recommendations are not followed, the fabric of the diapers becomes coarser and loses its properties, the diapers begin to irritate the baby’s delicate skin, leak and do not absorb liquid well.

Follow these tips and reusable diapers will serve you long and reliably, because their service life is unlimited and even with daily washing they do not lose their appearance and absorbent properties.

Explanations

There are some questions that require clarification:

• There is a statement that any diaper disrupts the process of skin respiration. Judging by this logic, any clothing should prevent this, since a person is born naked. When making a choice in favor of one type of diaper or another, conduct an experiment on yourself. Put on clothes and underwear made of synthetics and cellulose and spend the whole day in them. The next day, choose clothes only from natural materials. Now compare your feelings.
• Opinion: diaper dermatitis is caused by reusable diapers. What it is? That's why diaper dermatitis is called diaper dermatitis because it is caused by the contact of delicate skin with wet diapers. To avoid this phenomenon, you need to take more careful care of your baby and change diapers to dry ones on time. They try to keep a disposable diaper longer (after all, it costs money).
• Reusable diapers require constant washing. Stock up on the required quantity: 3-5 diapers, 10 inserts. Enough for the day. We washed it in the evening, and in the morning everything was ready for further use. Reviews from housewives confirm the fact that washing does not cause much trouble.
• Are knit panties/diapers incredibly hot? No, they are quite comfortable, especially when it’s cool (for us this lasts 9 months out of 12). The advantage of a reusable diaper is that the natural material is highly breathable, unlike a disposable product, when each urination creates a gel layer that prevents the baby’s skin from breathing.

How many reusable diapers do you need and where to buy them?

It all depends on how you will use them, what diapers you choose, whether you will use disposable ones (for example, for a night's sleep and for walks in winter). On average, one child will need 5-10 panties and 2 times more inserts per day. It is convenient to wash all the diapers used during the day in the washing machine in the evening and hang them out to dry overnight. Then in the morning you will have a clean and fresh set for the whole day.

Reusable diapers from various brands can be purchased in many online stores. The choice is quite large, choose according to your taste and budget.

Speaking of your wallet, you will pay for the purchase of reusable diapers in the first 2-4 months, and they will last you for a long time, maybe even for more than one child