Reusable diapers: advantages and disadvantages

Today, thanks to innovative solutions, mothers' hands are becoming freer for various things, in addition to caring for their child. Diapers play a special role for parents, because small children need to change them often, which takes a lot of time and money. Recently, reusable diapers have become fashionable. They certainly have their advantages and disadvantages, but using such products is quite convenient. Our editors offer our readers a rating of the best reusable diapers designed for swimming and potty training. For each model, the advantages and disadvantages are described here, as well as the main characteristics that parents will have to rely on when choosing.

What are reusable diapers

Reusable diapers for children are hygiene products that are identical in function to disposable diapers. They are reused many times, which saves the family budget. Once soiled, the diapers are put in the washing machine, dried and used again.

Cloth diapers can withstand up to 2000 washes. If you buy 8–10 copies, it will last up to 2–3 years. Reusable clothing includes not only store-bought panties with liners, but also homemade gauze diapers.

Fabric panties with liners are made of a material that can absorb liquids, retain moisture and allow air to pass through. At the same time, the child’s skin remains dry, clean, and is not irritated by urine or feces. Standard reusable absorbent panties for infants consist of three layers:

1. Upper. Beautiful material, waterproof, soft. But it must breathe so as not to create a greenhouse effect.
2. Average.
   The liquid retention liner is placed in a pocket on the middle part of the panties. The gasket can be thin or reinforced. They are made from bamboo, microfiber, wool - materials with increased absorbency.
3. Interior. This part is in direct contact with the body, skin, and is made of soft fabric. Contact should be pleasant for the baby.

The panties are attached using special buttons or Velcro, there are several of them, so that mothers can adjust the size to the baby’s body. There is an elastic band along the bottom edge of the panties, a gathering to hold liquid inside the underwear.

This is interesting! Reusable diapers are not a modern invention. In the 16th–19th centuries, babies were packed in cloth panties with padding made of wool, cotton wool, and moss.

Dumplings

This model is produced in Russia and has already been liked by many mothers and their babies.

pros:

• something that can be used on a child from the very first day of birth;
• the product is made of material that is produced according to GOST, or rather from medical gauze;
• In addition, such a diaper can be used for a very long time, which will be very gentle on the family budget;
• The material perfectly allows air to pass through, which prevents the occurrence of diaper rash and chafing on the baby’s skin.

But there are still certain disadvantages.

Cons : fastening occurs due to ties, which is not always convenient, as they can come undone, especially when the child has begun to lead a more active lifestyle.

Which is better: disposable or reusable diapers

Reusable diapers for newborns came to the Russian market relatively recently. Parents use classic disposable diapers for children aged 20–25. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. Let's compare disposable, reusable and gauze diapers.

Reusable

Advantages

• Budget savings. You will have to spend money on the purchase once.
• Environmentally friendly. Made from natural materials, hypoallergenic synthetics.
• Breathability. Cotton, microfiber, bamboo fabric breathes, the skin on the butt does not dry out.
• Makes the potty training process easier. The child feels slight discomfort in wet panties and controls bowel and bladder urges.
• They do not harm the environment. They decompose over several decades after being released.

Flaws

• It takes time to dry and wash.
• Inconvenient to use on the road.
• You need to change the earbuds and have 2-3 of them with you when you go for a walk or at a party.
• For newborns weighing up to 5–7 kg, it is difficult to choose the size.
• The material is difficult to wash off from feces.

Disposable

Advantages

• They do not require time to wash or dry. After proper use, they are thrown into the trash.
• The child sleeps peacefully at night. There is no need to change the insert or wake up the baby if he peed.
• Don't let your butt freeze in the cold. This is important when walking.
• Easy to size for premature and low birth weight babies.
• The child's skin does not come into contact with urine or feces. Waste products are quickly absorbed and retained inside.

Flaws

• Expensive. Parents spend at least 4–5 thousand rubles a month on disposable diapers.
• Unnatural material.
• Babies often suffer from allergies to disposable diapers and their skin becomes sore.
• Having difficulties with potty training. If a child wears disposable diapers until he is 2 years old, he often does not see the need to go to the potty; he is already dry, warm, and pleasant.
• They harm the environment. Synthetic diapers with gels inside take more than 100–200 years to decompose.

Gauze

Advantages

• Economical option. To make it you will need gauze, thread and a little time.
• Naturalness of the material. The skin does not suffer from allergies or rashes on the butt.
• Perfect size. Mothers sew diapers according to the exact data of the child.
• The skin breathes. Gauze allows air to pass through well. This protects the skin from diaper rash.

Flaws

• Difficulty in production and use. Not all mothers can properly make diapers with their own hands and attach them to the baby’s body.
• The need for a quick change after contamination. Diapers do not retain moisture. If your baby pees on the street, you need to urgently run home.
• Restless nights. The gauze gets wet from urine and feces. Kids wake up demanding a change of clothes.
• Leaks. Bed linen and diapers are not protected from feces and urine.
• Requires washing, ironing and drying. This is an additional investment of time for mom.

When choosing between disposable and reusable hygiene products, we advise you to pay attention to the following points:

1. What are they needed for. If you travel far by car, on a train, and there is no way to change a diaper, wash and dry it, buy a pack of disposable diapers. For a short walk, a reusable option at home is sufficient.
2. Child's age. This determines how many inserts you need per day for reusable diapers, and the ability to find a size for a child up to 6 kg. We recommend using disposable diapers for newborns up to 2-3 months, and reusable ones for older children.
3. Is the baby comfortable, is there any discomfort? If the baby is crying, the buttons on the reusable diaper are bothering him and they slide off, sew gauze panties. This is an ideal option for low birth weight and premature babies.

What diapers are you leaning towards to use?

• Reusable 53%, 27 votes
  27 votes 53%

  27 votes - 53% of all votes

  Read also:  Correct attachment to the breast is the key to successful breastfeeding
• Disposable 29%, 15 votes

  15 votes 29%

  15 votes - 29% of all votes

• No diapers 10%, 5 votes

  5 votes 10%

  5 votes - 10% of all votes

• Gauze 8%, 4 votes

  4 votes 8%

  4 votes - 8% of all votes

Total votes: 51

04.04.2019

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You or from your IP have already voted.

Thus, up to six months you will have to use 2-3 types of diapers, and after that you can stop at reusable ones.

What options are there?

Reusable diapers are divided into several groups according to the following criteria:

• Manufacturer. Babyland, Sunny Baby, Coolababy have become popular among mothers .
• Dimensions. Some companies offer to choose panties according to the baby’s weight, others do not differentiate between models in any way, making universal options with buttons, Velcro or ties.
• Material. These are panties made of cotton, hemp, bamboo fabric or synthetic with microfiber.

The last criterion is the main one when choosing waterproof cloths for babies, so we will dwell on fabrics and materials in more detail. Let's look at their pros and cons.

Cotton and hemp

This is a natural fabric that is safe for the skin of babies. Absorbs liquid well and does not create a greenhouse effect. But there are also several disadvantages:

• It's difficult to wash if mom doesn't put the panties in the washing machine immediately after bowel movement.
• High price. Compared to disposable and synthetic products.

Hemp panties with liners have some disadvantages. This:

• Long drying.
• Hardness after washing. Knead them with your hands before putting them on your child.
• The need for additional rinsing to remove powder.

Fleece

Soft panties, pleasant to the body. They absorb well, retain moisture, and warm the butt. But they take a long time to dry and wear out quickly from frequent washing. You need to constantly monitor what the panties look like inside. If the fabric is wrinkled or shrunk from hot water, the diaper will have to be renewed.

It is believed that fleece diapers or inserts made from such fabric promote the growth of bacteria on the skin. As a result, the butt becomes swollen and a rash appears.

Synthetic

These are microfiber and combined materials: cotton + soy, hemp, cotton + microfiber, bamboo in combination with non-natural fabric. This allows the diaper to absorb liquid well, not let it out, and keep the butt warm and clean for a long time.

Watch this short video from Dr. Komarovsky’s program about reusable diapers:

Separately, it is worth mentioning the inserts. There are a great many of them in pharmacies. When choosing, be guided by the baby’s tendency to allergic reactions and the price. Woolen, terry, and fleece liners are popular among parents. For little allergy sufferers, inserts made from soy, merino wool, and silk are suitable.

Sunny baby

This diaper model is ideal for babies who have reached 3 kilograms, but their weight does not yet exceed 13 kg. The outer layer of the fabric is covered with an impregnating layer. It is thanks to this that moisture does not leak out of the gasket. But the composition of the impregnation allows the skin to breathe quite well. All this protects the baby’s skin from diaper rash and chafing. Therefore, parents will not have the need for powders and ointments that will keep the skin healthy. Changing the liner is convenient, but you have to do it quite often. So, with standard use of diapers, they can be worn for no more than three hours without feeling discomfort. There are numerous buttons on the surface of the diapers that will allow you to adjust the size of the diaper so that it fits the baby’s body and legs as tightly as possible. But despite this, the diaper still sometimes leaks in the area of ​​the legs. Although there is a certain protective insert on the back that does not allow urine to flow out along the upper plane.

pros:

• The model is quite easy to wash and remove all discharge;
• the absorbent surface absorbs everything quite well;
• the fabric itself, that is, the outer material of the diaper, does not allow moisture to pass through.

Minuses:

• Due to the specific nature of the absorbent surface, the liners have to be washed quite often.

How to choose the right one

When choosing reusable absorbent swim trunks, pay attention to the following criteria:

What is included

It’s good if the set of panties includes 2-3 inserts made of different fabrics. If not, buy several earbuds separately at once. Take several types: 3-layer for home, 5-layer for a walk.

Is the clasp comfortable?

Buttons are considered the best option. Velcro deteriorates when washed, and the ties cannot be called a reliable fastening option.

Are children's panties adjustable at the waist?

Absorbent swimming trunks are bought not for one month, but for a long time. The child is growing, you need to have a margin in the width of the waist on your underpants, and in the girth of your hips.

The main indicators of the quality of reusable diapers for boys and girls are natural material and the ability to buy panties of the right size.

How not to make a mistake, let's talk in more detail.

Choosing fabric

Before purchasing, pay attention to the inside and outside of the diapers. The fabric should be soft, easily wrinkled, and thick. For a newborn baby, buy absorbent panties made of cotton, bamboo, or microfiber. For six-month-old children, choose diapers made from synthetics or combined fabrics.

It is important to pay attention to the color of the material. The inside of the panties is neutral - gray, white, without bright patterns or shades. The dye may damage the skin if it comes into contact with urine. Choose the top layer in any colors. But it must be soft and waterproof.

If you notice scratchy seams or smell an unpleasant odor from the product, refuse to purchase.

Choosing a size

Manufacturers rarely differentiate reusable absorbent panties by size; they often offer a universal option for clothing for babies. To adjust for weight and age, buttons, Velcro, elastic bands, and ties are used.

Sometimes imported models have the following size chart:

For premature, low birth weight babies up to 2-3 months, it is difficult to choose reusable panties. Wait out this period in regular diapers. When your baby weighs 4-5 kg, buy size S.

Choosing earbuds

Manufacturers of reusable diapers use flannel and bamboo for inserts. They absorb well and do not allow liquid to leak out. Note the jet black bamboo for this part of the set. According to reviews from parents and experts, it is the safest for the child’s health, has antimicrobial properties, but takes a long time to dry.

Cotton fabric dries quickly but retains little liquid. Microfiber can be dried quickly, it allows air to pass through well, holds an average amount of urine, and is safe, although not completely natural.

Rating of the best

Reusable diapers are produced in Europe, Russia, America, China, and Japan. The range is so wide that it is very easy to get confused. Let's present an overview of the best brands, according to parents. (Important! The table can be scrolled left and right)

You can buy reusable diapers at the pharmacy. This is the safest option. Mothers can carefully examine the product, read where and what it is made of, return it and make a quality claim.

Another option is to order a diaper online. You can buy panties and inserts in bulk directly from the manufacturer. On Aliexpress, parents are pleased with the price, but no one can guarantee the quality of the purchase.

GlorYes! Premium

This diaper is suitable for both newborns and children who have already reached a weight of 18 kg. This reusable diaper provides reliable leak protection for up to 6 hours and keeps your baby comfortable.

pros:

• long-term wearing without any discomfort;
• does not cause irritation or abrasion on the skin.

Minuses:

• This type of reusable diapers is quite expensive, which is quite significant for the parent’s wallet.

Should you trust a Russian manufacturer?

Domestic companies producing reusable diapers are among the top best in the world market in the segment of children's products. Many mothers are surprised to learn that they have been using Russian-made products for a long time, thinking that they bought imported diapers.

Among the domestic companies, the following brands can be distinguished:

1. Little Fox;
2. Mum's Era$
3. "Pampusiki";
4. "Waterproof";
5. GlorYes! Premium.

Answering the question whether you should trust the manufacturer of reusable diaper systems and whether they meet modern child safety requirements, we can definitely say that you should.

Such a purchase will bring emotional pleasure, delight in use and save the family budget.

conclusions

Buying a set of cloth diapers is an investment. Before you settle on one brand, experiment with a few different types to see what you like.

With some trial and error, you may find that one diaper is great for daytime use, another for sleepovers, and another for relaxing. Or perhaps you fall in love with one diaper brand but decide to use inserts from another line to increase absorbency. The only thing that matters is to try different types and find the best reusable diaper for your family.

Reviews from doctors and experts

Pediatricians, dermatologists, and psychologists are positive about the idea of ​​using reusable diapers. Doctors note the following advantages of such products:

1. A one-year-old baby can easily potty train after wearing reusable panties.
2. The skin does not rot under a layer of synthetics.
3. Cloth diapers are hypoallergenic.

Along with a positive assessment of reusable inserts, doctors do not deny the desirability of using disposable diapers. They save time for a tired mother, provide a restful night's sleep, and are better suited for long walks in winter. We advise parents to combine both types of products for up to a year, gradually abandoning waterproof cloths in favor of a potty.

Parents have mixed feelings about reusable panties with liners. Some are against it, choosing the classic disposable diaper, others used the reusable option, but were disappointed. Here are a few comments from active cloth diaper users to form an objective opinion.

Check out reviews of the Mum's Era brand:

And this is a video review of the GlorYes brand:

Ekaterina, 28 years old:

— No, reusable diapers are a thing of the past. Washing, ironing, this is not for me. There is no time left for the baby at all. And at night it is uncomfortable to sleep in such panties, the child wakes up every time, and you have to change the inserts. While this and that, the baby is playing out, there’s no time for sleep.

Valentina, 25 years old:

— I am in favor of reusable anti-diapers. Comfortable, dry, warm, and most importantly, economical. We bought it once, spent 5 thousand and forgot about it for a year and a half. The child is happy, his butt doesn’t complain. And you can wash it in a machine.