DISPOSABLE or REUSABLE diaper, which is better?

What are the differences between diapers and diapers?

Depending on the parameters of disposable panties and diapers, experts identify the following differences between these hygiene items that are presented:

• By name - you can often hear any diapers, regardless of their type, called diapers. This is not entirely correct. Pampers is a well-known brand and company that is the pioneer of disposable panties for children. Diapers are a little different. This piece of underwear can be made of paper, plastic or gauze. It is necessary to prevent the baby's bottom from getting wet and liquid leaking onto clothes;
• Durability - diapers can be disposable and made of gauze or reusable, made of fabric or oilcloth. Diapers are exclusively disposable. It is this characteristic that distinguishes them from diapers;
• The quality of the material used to make the product - disposable panties are made of soft paper, internal adsorbent and silicone filler. To create reusable models, use either gauze or cotton fabric;

Appearance

• The main type of diapers are panties with side fasteners. They are very convenient and easy to use. However, they are suitable for infants. For older babies, diapers are made in the shape of panties. They are put on through the legs and removed by tearing their sides;
• Fragrance additives - most often fragrance additives are present in diapers. They do not allow odors to pass through and absorb them well. However, it is worth considering that if a child is allergic, it is better to avoid such products. It is necessary to choose diapers without additives, because the latter can provoke an allergic reaction;
• Additional functionality - some diapers have a fullness sensor, leakage protection and other functions. There are no such “tricks” in diapers. This factor often becomes fundamental in choosing diapers rather than regular diapers.

These are a number of the main differences between diapers and diapers. Based on them, parents can choose the appropriate option for their child. To understand which product is better, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each, and also take into account their cost, since price is one of the main factors in choosing this hygiene product. However, despite the differences, I advise parents with experience to use both diapers and diapers, since both make caring for the baby easier and make the latter’s life more comfortable.

Why are diapers needed?

A diaper is a piece of clothing (part of a baby's clothing) that allows children to stay dry and not stain their clothes in case of bowel movements. In other words, parents need diapers to care for a child who, due to his age (or health condition), cannot independently relieve himself in the potty or toilet.

Diaper for a baby
Note: In Russia, many people call all disposable diapers diapers. However, “Pampers” is just a variety of them, a brand name. This happened due to the fact that after the collapse of the USSR, it was Pampers diapers that first appeared on sale in our country.

Differences between diapers and diapers for girls and boys?

For children whose age has passed the six-month mark, manufacturers are developing special diapers that take into account the child’s gender. Despite the fact that absorbent panties are made of the same material and have the same price, they have a number of significant differences:

• The most important difference between these types of diapers is the placement of the absorbent layer . In girls' diapers, the adsorbent is located in the middle and back of the product, and in diapers for boys, the gel insert is located in the front;
• The design of diapers for babies is brighter . Most often they are pink or yellow. Boys have blue or green diapers. They also differ in the pattern on the outside of the panties. Girls' hygiene products are decorated with various bears, bows and flowers, and boys' ones are decorated with robots and cars.
• The shape of diapers for boys is looser in the front . This allows you to avoid squeezing the genitals and restricting the child’s movements;
• The fasteners on diapers for girls are lower than those for boys.

And, of course, various brands offer their customers modified products and added with various functions, so the differences can be many times greater, and we have considered only the most obvious of them.

Features of children's disposable diapers

They are suitable for newborns whose umbilical cords have not yet fallen off, as parents can adjust the band to fit the baby's belly button comfortably as they wish. Currently, newborn diaper designs include a soft touch surface suitable for baby's sensitive skin, as well as a special curved waistband design. Parents can rest assured that the baby's navel area is well protected from friction.

For babies who are not yet very active, mostly breastfeeding and sleeping, using tape disposable diapers is easier because they cannot sit or stand. It is ideal to put on the diaper when the baby is lying on his back and lift it from below.

Differences between economy class diapers and diapers?

Since disposable absorbent panties cost a lot and you need about seven of them per day, the total amount that will be spent on purchasing a package of diapers will be, to put it mildly, rather large. To save money, but at the same time buy the same high-quality diapers, it is enough to dilute their use with ordinary gauze diapers or reusable fabric panties, which, for example, can be used during the day.

Well, if parents prefer only disposable absorbent panties, then it is not at all necessary to purchase expensive products, because there are also cheaper ones, but at the same time of excellent quality.

Each disposable diaper manufacturer has several product lines that start with the premium class, represented by high-quality and reliable products, and end with the economy class, represented by nappies made from recycled materials at lower prices.

If we talk about the leading brands in the world market, then among them we should highlight diapers “Pampers”, “Haggis” and “Libero”. They are all similar to each other, but the expensive models have differences from the cheaper ones, and they are as follows:

• Economy class absorbent panties are made from the same quality materials as premium products, but their design is less presentable . Most often, economical diapers are represented by simple plain panties without a pattern typical for the brand;
• Often, economical diapers are equipped with disposable Velcro , which, once unfastened, will not allow you to put the diaper back on;
• Economy class disposable absorbent panties do not have additional useful functionality , which is represented by a fullness sensor or an aroma regulator;
• Economical diapers are most often sold in large packs , which allows them to be cheaper due to the large number of products.

Perhaps economy class diapers do not have various bells and whistles, but they absorb no worse than premium ones. The only thing is that they will have to be changed a little more often than expensive models, since if this is not done, they may begin to leak on the sides. And, of course, their undeniable advantage is the price. Why pay more if the quality of the products is almost the same?

REUSABLE DIAPERS

REUSABLE DIAPERS trace their history back to the Middle Ages. Back then, in Europe, pads made of flax, wool, and hemp were used as a reusable diaper, which were then dried over a fire. In Russia, a diaper was called “a flap, a rag placed in diapers.” Instead of this rag, our mothers used gauze. The purpose of a diaper has always been one - to reduce the number of wet diapers. There were no diapers and everything had to be washed. Not easy? - Yes. But then there was no need to think about what, in fact, diapers are made of and how they affect the child’s health. After all, all the materials were natural, i.e. “approved” by Nature itself. One of the leaders in the production of reusable diapers in Europe is the English company Bambino Mio.

Their ambinoMio reusable diaper system includes 3 components:

1. diaper panties;

2. cotton diaper inserts;

3. disposable absorbent wipes.

How to use it: Take the insert, wrap it in a napkin, put it in the panties and fasten them on the baby like a regular diaper.

REUSABLE NAPPIES

PROS:

• Eco-friendly for the user. Made from 100% cotton, grown in accordance with the laws of Nature and in harmony with it. Cotton is a natural fiber of plant origin, friendly to human skin.
• Reusable diapers do not interfere with skin respiration.
• Reusable diapers contribute to the feeling of natural functions in the child, i.e. form a full sense of self.
• Reusable diapers provide “wide swaddling.”
• Reusable diapers enable parents to control their baby, i.e. know when and how long he went to the toilet, whether he got enough milk.
• For babies with sensitive skin, reusable diapers are often the only viable option.
• Do not create too high temperatures in the diaper.
• Reusable diapers are much cheaper for parents than diapers. You need to spend 2.5 times less money on them than on disposable diapers (including washing costs). They do not make you want to save money at the expense of hygiene.
• The production of reusable diapers is environmentally friendly, because... they are made from quickly reproducible raw materials, without cutting down trees, and are not treated with harmful chemicals. Eco-friendly from a disposal point of view, i.e. do not form mountains of indecomposable garbage.
• You don't have to constantly worry about buying new diapers.
• They can also be used at the birth of the next baby.
• There are no contraindications for using reusable diapers.

MINUSES:

• Need for washing and drying

QUESTIONS REQUIRING CLARIFICATION

• Any diaper disrupts skin respiration processes. Then, logically, any clothing disrupts the processes of skin respiration; after all, a person is born naked. Is it so? Conduct a small experiment: put on underwear and clothes made of synthetic materials and cellulose and walk around in them for a day. Live the next day dressed in everything natural. Compare the sensations.
• Diaper dermatitis occurs from reusable diapers, which is why it is called that way because it occurs only from lying in diapers. — Diaper dermatitis occurs from prolonged contact with secretions. To avoid it, you just need to change what the child is wearing more often. We try to keep the diaper longer (it’s a pity to throw it away, it costs money) and not change it.
• Do reusable diapers need to be washed all the time? – You will need to wash it every 2 days if you buy several sets of liners. If you make do with the most economical option with 2 sets of liners, then you will need to wash them once a day.

The choice of which diaper to use for your child is up to the parents. The main thing to remember is that your baby's health is more important than any other aspect of diaper use.

Make your right choice!

Reviews from parents

Huggis diapers are purchased by most parents. Mothers note that products from this brand are easy to put on and take off. Also, the advantages include good absorbency and softness.

Huggies Elite Soft

Some parents complain about poor fit of the product: children easily unfasten the diaper, which leads to leakage. According to mothers, Classic diapers feel like paper and fill up quickly. That's why they buy Haggis Elite Soft more often.

There are a lot of complaints about Pampers economy class products. Parents note that such hygiene products provoke the appearance of diaper rash and irritation with constant use.

Reviews from mothers regarding the use of diapers from the brands in question are given below:

• Marina . They bought Haggis for my daughter from the moment she was born. Then we decided to switch to Pampers. There are no complaints about either brand. Both diapers are highly absorbent and do not cause irritation;
• Victoria . Pampers diapers did not suit my daughter: they caused rashes and itching. I buy her Haggis. For my son, on the contrary, I take Pampers products: he is large and diapers of this brand suit him better;
• Tatiana . I only buy Pampers for my daughter. They are patterned, smell nice and are thin. During the entire period of use, the baby did not experience diaper rash, irritation or allergies;
• Anastasia . I bought Haggis and Pampers products for my kids. I prefer the first brand for its naturalness and lack of fragrances. I have two children. Haggis is cheaper and you have to change it less often than Pampers. This allows you to save a lot of money;
• Alyona . I'm buying Haggis for my son. He is allergic to Pampers products: a rash appears and redness on the skin. I think this is due to the presence of fragrances in the composition. Haggis is one of the few brands that can boast of the absence of flavorings in its products. Moreover, its cost is lower.

You shouldn't decide which brand of diapers to choose based on reviews alone. We must remember that each child is individual: some are more suited to Huggies products, while others are more suited to Pampers.

Are dioxins in diapers harmful?

Based on animal studies, dioxins can “cause reproductive and developmental problems, harm the immune system, interfere with hormones, and cause cancer.” The Environmental Protection Agency has designated dioxins as a "probable human carcinogen."

While dioxins are only found in trace amounts in chlorine-bleached diapers, we prefer to "trace" it when it comes to babies, especially newborns, because their skin is so thin.

"The Russian Environmental Protection Agency estimates that >95% of dioxin exposure is due to low-level food contamination."

In fact, although trace amounts of dioxins are found in disposable diapers, a study we read showed that dioxins are also present in cloth diapers, making it nearly impossible to find or choose a diaper-free option.

“Dioxin concentrations in diapers were similar between disposable and cotton diapers...” and “Two of the disposable diapers had lower dioxin concentrations than cotton diapers.”

However, before you assume it doesn't matter, the process of bleaching diapers creates dioxins that end up in the environment and eventually end up in our food supply chain. These dioxins accumulate in our bodies and can be passed on to the baby through breast milk. So while what's in the diaper may be less important, what ends up in the environment still matters.

Consider the following diaper brands:

LIBERO

LOVULAR

Eco by Naty

P ampers premium care or P ampers active baby dry

Rampers Pure Protection

By go

Sun and moon

Huggies elite soft

How to choose the right diapers for your baby's weight

The very first determining factor when choosing a diaper is the baby's weight. A diaper that is the wrong size will not do any good; it will either come off the baby or put pressure on the delicate parts of the baby’s body.

How to choose diaper size? It is calculated based on the baby’s weight, and manufacturers adhere to the following markings:

• 0 - suitable for newborns and premature babies. If the baby's weight is no more than 3 kg, you need to buy such diapers
• I - for babies weighing up to 5 kg
• 2 - if the baby’s weight is from 3 to 7 kg
• 3 - suitable for babies from 4 to 9 kg
• 4 - buy for babies weighing from 8 to 14 kg
• 5 - if the child’s weight already reaches 10 to 20 kg
• 6 - worn by older children weighing from 15 to 25 kg

Sometimes manufacturers also mark by the baby’s age. But this makes little sense, since children can be large or small. And weight does not always correspond to age.

To choose the right diaper for your child, consider not only his weight, but also his body type. If the diaper seems to be the right weight, but leaks and presses too tightly against the tummy and legs, it means it is too small for the child. Buy a size up. Some brands produce diapers with a + sign next to the number - 2+, 3+. These are intermediate sizes that can be chosen just in cases where the diaper is a little small.

Review of popular diaper manufacturers

There are many brands specializing in the production of diapers for children. Some of them have been on the Russian market for decades, while others are just gaining the love of users.

• Pampers. Pioneers in the world of diapers, they were the very first to produce these products. The inner part consists of two absorbent layers. The first layer absorbs liquid with lightning speed, and the second locks it in and distributes it evenly. These are hypoallergenic products designed for children of different ages and sizes. Depending on the variety, they cost from 500 to 1500 rubles
• Libero. They are particularly breathable because they are made of ultra-breathable material with many tiny holes. They have reusable Velcro, which not only securely fixes the product on the child’s body, but also tells you when to buy a larger size. Approximate price - from 400 to 1000 rubles
• Huggies. The inner layer of the diaper is made of natural cotton in the form of small pads. This results in impressive absorbency. Some models include a fullness indicator, while others have a special pocket for loose stool. Price - from 700 to 1700 rubles
• Helen Harper - produces diapers not only for children, but also for adults. Ideally follow the anatomy of the human body and are equipped with absorption indicators. Antibacterial and perfectly hides unpleasant odors. Cost - about 700-1000 rubles
• Merries are Japanese diapers that are gaining popularity in our country. The manufacturing company has patented an innovative breathable layer. They belong to the premium class and are very popular with customers. They produce daytime and sleep diapers with two absorbent layers. These products have triple ruffles around baby's feet to prevent leakage. Diapers for newborn babies do not have pressure or chafing rubber bands, and the fastening belts in products for older children are made of porous material. The baby's skin does not sweat. Price - from 1000 to 1500 rubles per package
• Goo N is another Japanese manufacturer specializing in disposable personal care products. They are also positioned as a premium class and have already won fans in Russia. The price is “biting” - from 1000 to 2000 rubles

Terminology

In everyday speech, the phrase “disposable diaper” almost never appears. It’s hard to imagine a conversation in a store where a customer says, “Give me a pack of disposable diapers.” Everyone - from sellers to real users - uses one word - diaper. The fact is that the first in the history of disposable diapers in general and in our geographical area in particular were Pampers from Procter & Gamble. It is not surprising in this regard that the specific brand “diaper” and the phrase “disposable diaper” are perceived at the everyday level as synonyms. This, of course, is wrong, but it seems there is nowhere to go...

Diapers

Pampers are the same diapers, or rather the name of the manufacturer . It was the diaper company that invented diapers, and therefore many people often call diapers diapers, meaning not the product of a specific manufacturer, but the product as a whole. The diaper company was not only the first, but to this day is one of the most widespread throughout the world and in Russia in particular, this is also the reason for the replacement of concepts.

In Russia, many people are still sure that this is the main name, since diapers were also the first to appear on the Russian market. In general, the products of this company are not very different from other companies - the same appearance, method of putting on, etc. However, there are differences in the composition of the filler, colors and some additional functions, although in general the purpose of diapers and pampers is exactly the same.

Diapers