When you have a baby there’s no getting around the simple fact that you need to cover their bums with something. Many people are very passionate about diapers (along with anything else that goes along with babies), but one of the biggest debates is cloth or disposable.
With passionate advocates on both sides making claims about health benefits, environmental impact, cost savings, and convenience, it can feel overwhelming to make the right choice.
Both options have their merits and drawbacks, and what works perfectly for one family might be completely impractical for another. Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the best decision for your unique situation.
Understanding Modern Diaper Options
First, a little bit about each option.
Today’s Cloth Diapers Aren’t Your Grandma’s Cloth Diapers
If your mental image of cloth diapers involves safety pins and complicated folding techniques, you’re in for a surprise, and modern cloth diapers have evolved dramatically:
- Prefolds: The traditional rectangular cloth that needs folding and fastening
- All-in-ones: Function almost like disposables with built-in absorbent layers and waterproof covers
- Pocket diapers: Feature a pocket where you insert absorbent liners for customizable absorbency
- Fitted diapers: Shaped to fit your baby with elastic and closures, but require a waterproof cover
Today’s cloth diapers come with user-friendly closures like snaps and Velcro, adjustable sizing, and frickin’ adorable patterns and colors.
Disposable Diaper Technology Has Advanced Too
Disposable diapers continue to evolve with:
- Super-absorbent polymers that can hold many times their weight in liquid
- Breathable outer layers to promote air circulation
- Wetness indicators to signal when a change is needed
- Specialized designs for different stages, from newborn to active toddler
- Eco-friendly options made with fewer chemicals and more biodegradable materials
Diaper Rash and Skin Health
Both cloth and disposable diaper supporters claim their choice helps prevent diaper rash, but what does the research say?
Studies suggest disposable diapers may have a slight edge in preventing irritant diaper dermatitis because they’re designed to pull moisture away from the skin and keep it drier. However, some babies develop allergic reactions to certain ingredients in disposables.
The most important factor in preventing rash isn’t the type of diaper but how quickly wet or soiled diapers are changed. A wet diaper – cloth or disposable – left too long is no bueno and the most common cause of irritation.
Comfort and Fit
When it comes to comfort:
- Cloth diapers offer a soft, natural fabric feel against baby’s skin
- Disposables typically feel drier to the touch thanks to their absorbent technology
- Cloth can be bulkier between the legs, which some parents worry might delay walking (though studies don’t support this concern)
- Disposables often provide a more streamlined fit under clothing
Daily Usage Comparison
Let’s be honest, convenience matters when you’re changing 8-12 diapers a day.
Cloth Diapers:
- Require more frequent changes since they’re generally less absorbent
- Need to be stored until laundry day when dirty
- Might need adjustments or inserts for different situations
- Require you to pack clean diapers AND have a solution for storing dirty ones when out
Disposable Diapers:
- Can be quickly changed and tossed
- Typically need fewer changes due to higher absorbency
- Are readily available in stores when you run out
- Are the standard accepted at most daycares
- Make travel and outings simpler with no need to carry dirty diapers home
Maintenance and Cleaning
The biggest difference in convenience comes down to laundry:
With cloth diapers, you’ll typically:
- Run a pre-rinse cycle to remove waste
- Wash in hot water with special detergent
- Possibly line-dry or machine dry depending on the type
- Fold and store for next use
- Deal with occasional stain removal and stripping (deep cleaning)
This adds about 2-3 extra loads of laundry per week.
As for disposables, you can’t beat being able to just toss away the horror and not having to deal with it anymore. However, they do require proper disposal, which means regular trips to the outdoor trash bin to prevent odors and possibly investing in a specialized diaper pail system.
Cost Breakdown: Cloth Diapers
The initial investment for cloth diapers can feel steep:
- Starter set of 24 diapers: $200-$600 depending on type and brand
- Accessories (wet bags, liners, sprayers): $50-$100
- Additional laundering costs: $60-$110 annually for water, electricity, and detergent
- Total for first child over 2.5 years: $800-$1,000
Cost Breakdown: Disposable Diapers
Disposables have a lower entry cost but add up over time:
- Average cost per diaper: $0.20-$0.40 (varies by brand and sales)
- Diapers needed: 6-10 daily for newborns, 4-6 daily for older babies
- Annual cost: $500-$900
- Add-ons (diaper pail, trash bags): $100-$200
- Total for one child over 2.5 years: $2,000-$3,000
Long-term Financial Comparison
The real savings with cloth diapers comes if you:
- Use them for multiple children
- Buy them secondhand and resell when finished
- Choose simpler styles that cost less upfront
- Line-dry to reduce energy costs
- Combining approaches – cloth at home, disposables for outings or nighttime
Environmental Impact
The environmental debate isn’t as straightforward as it might initially seem.
Disposable Diaper Footprint
It’s estimated that disposable diapers:
- Contribute about 7% of nondurable household waste in landfills
- Take 500+ years to decompose
- Use resources like trees and petroleum products in manufacturing
- Create methane gas as they decompose
Cloth Diaper Environmental Considerations
However, cloth diapers:
- Require significant water and energy for cleaning
- Use chemicals in manufacturing and washing
- Still end up in landfills eventually, though after much more use
- Have manufacturing impacts of their own
Life-cycle Analysis Comparison
Environmental researchers conducting life-cycle analyses found that the total climate impact can be comparable between the two options, depending on key factors:
- How efficiently you wash cloth diapers
- Whether you line-dry or machine-dry
- If you reuse cloth diapers for multiple children
- The energy sources used in your region
- Whether you choose biodegradable disposable options
Environmentally conscious parents can minimize impact by:
- Using cloth diapers and washing them efficiently in full loads
- Line-drying when possible
- Choosing secondhand cloth diapers
- If using disposables, selecting eco-friendly brands with biodegradable components
Cloth-diapered babies potty train earlier. Is it true?
Studies comparing potty training ages found no significant differences between babies using cloth and those using disposables. One study of 550 children showed the average potty training age was nearly identical between the two groups.
What appears to matter more for potty training success:
- Consistent parental approach
- Child’s individual development and readiness
- Cultural expectations and parenting style
- Starting toilet learning when the child shows interest and physical readiness
That said, some parents report that cloth-diapered children seem more aware of being wet, which might help with body awareness during the training process.
Practical Considerations for Different Lifestyles
Here are some things to factor into your decision based on your lifestyle.
Working Parents
If you’re returning to work:
- Check if your childcare accepts cloth diapers (many don’t)
- Consider the time demands of laundry after long workdays
- Think about hybrid approaches – cloth at home, disposables at daycare
Multiple Children
With more than one child in diapers:
- Cloth can save significantly on weekly diaper expenses
- But laundry volume increases substantially
- You’ll need a larger cloth diaper supply
Travel and On-the-Go Families
If you travel frequently:
- Disposables offer clear convenience for trips
- Cloth requires planning for washing or bringing enough for the duration
- Some parents use disposables for travel and cloth at home
Hybrid Approaches
Many families find success with mixed approaches:
- Using cloth during the day and disposables at night for better sleep
- Keeping disposables for babysitters or grandparents who aren’t comfortable with cloth
- Starting with disposables for the newborn phase and switching to cloth when baby is a bit bigger
- Using cloth at home and disposables when out and about
Making Your Decision
When deciding what’s best for your family, ask yourself:
- What factors matter most to your family? (Budget, environment, convenience, etc.)
- How do you feel about doing additional laundry?
- Is the environmental impact a top priority?
- Are you looking for the most economical option?
Getting Started With Your Choice
If choosing cloth:
- Start with just a few styles to see what works best for your baby
- Join online communities for tips and troubleshooting
- Don’t be afraid to adjust if it’s not working
If choosing disposables:
- Try a few brands to find the best fit for your baby
- Look for subscription options to save money
- Consider eco-friendlier disposable options if environmental impact concerns you
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will cloth diapers really save me money? A: Yes, especially if used for multiple children. The savings are typically $1,000-$2,000 per child compared to premium disposables.
Q: Are cloth diapers hard to use? A: Modern cloth diapers are designed to be nearly as simple as disposables. There’s a learning curve, but most parents master it within a week.
Q: Will my baby get more rashes with cloth or disposable? A: Research doesn’t show a significant difference when diapers are changed promptly. Individual skin sensitivity may determine which works better for your baby.
Q: How many cloth diapers do I need? A: For full-time cloth diapering, 24-36 diapers is recommended, allowing for washing every 2-3 days.
Q: Can I use cloth diapers part-time? A: Absolutely! Many families use a hybrid approach, choosing what works best for different situations.
Conclusion
I think I would have loved cloth diapering and I’m not sure why I didn’t even really investigate it – I suppose none of my friends did it so it didn’t really occur to me.
The idea of all the prep and options makes me giddy, although, that’s easy for me to say because I didn’t have to deal with explosive, carrot poo in something I was planning to keep.
Many families seem to do a hybrid of both by going with cloth at home but using disposable when they leave the house. Another interesting tip was not to buy newborn cloth diapers because they are out of that size so quickly.
I would love to know what you are planning to do or have done. C’mon, give me the poop!
Our next reco: What’s Great (and Not so Great) About Cloth Diapering