I think there are many people who usually use disposable diapers but are considering or wondering whether to use cloth diapers.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of cloth diapers, comparing them to disposable diapers! Please use this as a reference while comparing it to your own parenting style.
Let's get started! cloth diaper life
Introducing the benefits of cloth diapers in an easy-to-understand manner using comics.
Would you like to try cloth diapers for the first time?
How was it?
From here, we have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of cloth diapers in more detail, so please take a look!
Which is better, cloth diapers or disposable diapers?
``What are the benefits of using cloth diapers?'' and ``Which is better, cloth diapers or disposable diapers?'' are questions we often hear.The actual pros and cons of cloth diapers will depend on your lifestyle and parenting style, but let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of cloth diapers.
Advantages of cloth diapers
Now let's take a look at the benefits of using cloth diapers!Reusable and economical
The longer you use cloth diapers, the more cost-effective they become compared to disposable diapers.There are individual differences in how long it takes for a diaper to fall off, so let's limit it to 2 years of use and make a trial calculation based on continuous use.
*The price will likely vary depending on the price of the cloth diaper itself and how many diapers are used/prepared, so we will calculate it based on a range.
Cloth diapers for 2 years → Approximately 52,000 yen to 162,000 yen
Disposable diapers for 2 years → Approximately 146,000 yen to 219,000 yen
The cost of disposable diapers increases the longer you use them and the more times you use them.Cloth diapers require you to buy a certain number of diapers before you start using them, so the initial expense is high, but after that, you only need to pay for laundry detergent and water.
Cloth diapers can also be used in one size, from newborns to diapers, so there is no need to buy a new one if the size is too large.
Many of you may have bought a large quantity of disposable diapers when they were cheap, but ended up outgrowing them before you could use them all up.
With cloth diapers, you don't have to worry about this.
An advantage of cloth diapers is that they are more economical than disposable diapers if used consistently .
* Regarding cost calculations: Cloth diaper covers and cloth diapers tend to have a large cost difference depending on which product you choose, so these calculations are only used as a rough guide.
The total cost also varies depending on the type of diaper cover, ring diaper, molded diaper, detergent, and washing method.
In addition, the diaper cover is calculated based on purchasing a one-size-fits-all size.
Cloth diapers can also be used for younger children!
Cloth diapers can be used repeatedly if you have a second or third child.The cost of disposable diapers increases the more you use them.
Of course it depends on how damaged they are, but considering that you don't need to buy new cloth diapers, the difference in cost performance compared to disposable diapers is even wider.
Kindness to baby's body
Cloth diapers may seem like a hassle as they require frequent changes, but the benefits of cloth diapers are that they are gentle on your baby's skin and are less stressful on your baby's body .Cloth diapers are made of cotton that is gentle on the skin.
The fabric of the part of the disposable diaper that comes in contact with the skin is made of synthetic fibers such as polyester.On the other hand, cloth diapers are made of cotton, so if you actually touch them, the difference is obvious.
Not only is it comfortable to wear, but it is also characterized by being less of a burden on the skin.
Cloth diapers reduce the burden on your body
In addition, the appeal of disposable diapers is that they are highly absorbent and can absorb multiple doses of urine and keep the diaper dry, but it can be easy to get complacent with that performance and end up putting off changing diapers.However, disposable diapers weigh about 500g after absorbing urine, which is quite heavy for the waist of a baby who weighs only a few kilograms.
A paper published by an American pediatrician also revealed that heavy diapers are damaging babies' hips.
Even as an adult, it can be very painful to imagine living with a weight on your waist that is a fraction of your own body weight.
Environmentally friendly as there is no waste
Cloth diapers can be washed and reused, so compared to disposable diapers, the amount of waste generated is dramatically reduced.Taking out the heavy trash from disposable diapers...
Disposable diaper waste weighs about 500g after absorbing urine, and it becomes bulkier than you think.Garbage bags can become full with just the disposable diapers you use every day.
It's fine if you live in a place where you can take out the garbage every day, but on the morning of the burnable garbage day, which is scheduled twice a week, the garbage bags are filled with diapers.
Also, disposable diaper waste is very smelly.
Environmentally friendly cloth diapers that allow you to tackle SDGs naturally
Even after being collected as garbage, disposable diapers still contain a lot of water, which lowers the temperature of local garbage incinerators, making it more expensive to incinerate them.Furthermore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning disposable diapers is 210,000 tons per year, which, when converted to the amount of carbon dioxide that plants can absorb, would require a whopping 15 million cedar trees. There are also reports* that this will happen.
By using cloth diapers instead of paper diapers, you can be more environmentally friendly.
*Reference article:
Toilet training made easy
It is said that using cloth diapers makes potty training easier .Cloth diapers that are changed every time you defecate
Disposable diapers are designed to stay dry even after urinating or pooping, so your baby won't feel any discomfort.On the other hand, once a cloth diaper is urinated, it will remain wet regardless of the amount, so the baby will immediately feel discomfort, and if left unsanitary, it can cause diaper rash. .
Cloth diapers require a diaper change every time they relieve themselves, but they are said to be an item that makes it easier to have physical contact with your child, as they naturally involve interacting with your baby more frequently.
Knows and tells you when it's time to go to the toilet
When raising children with cloth diapers in this way, many children begin to notice when their child is peeing, when it's time to pee, and when they poop almost 100% of the time.If you can somehow know in advance when it's time to use the toilet, and your baby will tell you beforehand , the start of toilet training will go much smoother.
One of the charms of cloth diaper childcare is being able to notice subtle baby signs that you would not have noticed if you were using cloth diapers.
In many cases, the final diaper wears off faster with cloth diapers.
(※There are individual differences)
Cloth diapers "don't run out" so they're great for emergencies too
One of the benefits of trying cloth diapers is that you can free yourself from the worry of forgetting to buy disposable diapers and running out of diapers, and you can spend your time without having to stock up on extra diapers .This will also help you prepare in the event of an extraordinary event such as a major disaster.
In fact, it was the March 11, 2011 earthquake that led to the creation of ``Rinenna Baby cloth diapers,'' which this website sells.
Please read the article below to learn more about the origins of Rinenna Baby cloth diapers:
Stylish and cute cloth diaper cover
My child looks so cute in cloth diapers! The sight of my child in a fluffy cloth diaper is truly irresistible! I can't help but take pictures of the parents, showing off their stupidity. Lol Cloth diapers have the advantage of being fashionable and fun, which disposable diapers don't have.Rinenna Baby cloth diapers
Rinenna Baby's cloth diaper covers are uniquely naturally dyed in gentle colors. Just like clothes, choosing the color of the cloth diaper cover to match your mood that day is part of the fun.
Disadvantages of cloth diapers
Well, the main disadvantage of cloth diapers is that they are more labor-intensive compared to disposable diapers.The hassle and frequency of changing cloth diapers
Cloth diapers need to be changed every time a child poops or urinates, so diapers need to be changed more frequently than disposable diapers, which absorb up to several doses.Disposable diapers are made with dry absorbent material, so they stay dry even after peeing.
Depending on the amount, it can absorb several times of pee, so you can change diapers less often.
(Whether that's good or bad is another question...)
The hassle of washing cloth diapers
Cloth diapers require washing.In particular, ring diapers are long and can get tangled in the washing machine.
Some people have tried using cloth diapers at least once, but find it difficult to wash their diapers and end up going back to disposable diapers.
While cloth diapers have the disadvantage of requiring a lot of effort to change and wash, we have also heard opinions such as ``I do laundry every day anyway'' and ``Once I get used to it, I don't have to worry about it.''
After all, it seems that it also depends on the mother's own lifestyle and how she feels.
Tips to reduce hassle and maximize the benefits of cloth diapers
Now, as we have seen so far, cloth diapers have many advantages, but the disadvantage of ``time and effort'' is a hurdle.Here are some tips from Rinenna Baby to minimize the hassle and maximize the benefits of cloth diapering.
When washing cloth diapers, soak them in a bucket.
The way to wash cloth diapers, which many cloth diaper users practice and which Rinenna recommends, is the ``soak in a bucket'' style.All you have to do is put the cloth diapers you've used that day in a bucket with detergent and put them all in the washing machine the next morning.
Having a soaking bucket available not only reduces the hassle of changing cloth diapers, but also makes it easier to remove dirt.
We have summarized the details of this easy way to wash cloth diapers in this article:
Use of molded cloth diapers
There are two types of cloth diapers: ring diapers and molded diapers.Which diaper is best suited for your baby will depend on factors such as ease of use and leakage resistance, but for moms who just want to save time, we recommend molded diapers.
For molded cloth diapers...
- No need to worry about it getting tangled while washing!
- No need to worry about smoothing out wrinkles when drying!
- No need to fold it up after drying!
- Storage is also less bulky (compared to ring diapers)
Using cloth diapers and disposable diapers together
Even if you start using cloth diapers, it doesn't mean you should stop using disposable diapers.We recommend using cloth diapers and disposable diapers together so that you can easily incorporate them into your lifestyle.
Cloth diapers during the day, paper diapers at night
I'm really sleepy at night...It's dark and I'm sleepy and I'm changing cloth diapers, and I start to feel confused.
In addition to changing cloth diapers in the middle of the night, I also have to breastfeed and cry at night, so I don't have any days off, and if I just gave birth, my body hurts, so it's really hard.
In such cases, you can just take it easy and use disposable diapers at night.
Cloth diapers at home, paper diapers when going out
Also, carrying cloth diapers with you when you go out is bulky and difficult to change.Cloth diapers are not suitable for going out, so it would be easier to bring disposable diapers with you.
Disposable diapers when you are busy or unwell
If you feel unwell, busy, or just don't want to take the trouble right now, don't hesitate to use disposable diapers.It is important to be able to continue without overdoing yourself.
Above all, we recommend that you start using cloth diapers as long as you are comfortable with it and don't push yourself too hard.
Take advantage of the benefits of cloth diapers and have fun raising your children!
Last but not least, the most important thing about cloth diapers is that they make childcare feel fun.
Although the amount of effort involved may be a hurdle, it would be nice if you could incorporate it in a well-balanced manner according to your usage and lifestyle! Don't be afraid to use cloth diapers and enjoy childcare!
