7 Facts About Diapers That Will Shock You

Diapers are a new parent’s best friend. Today, it is impossible to think of babies being diaper free all day and night. But, do you know some shocking facts about diapers
Shweta Barailly, a mother to a one-year-old, works as an air hostess with a reputed airline. When her son was born, she was overjoyed. Initially, she used to find changing her son’s diapers exciting, even though the smell used to be overbearing sometimes. However, it was not the smell that bothered her. One day, when she was taking out her son’s diapers to the trash can outside her house, a neighbour pointed out that it was bad for the environment. An interactive question and answer session followed between the two where Shweta, to her surprise, found out that only a small amount of the waste from disposal diapers goes into the sewage system and the remaining amount ends up in a landfill.
Apollo Shine Campaign

Shweta is not alone in her experience of dealing with a diaper. Diapers have become a bare essential to many of us until the child is completely potty trained which most likely is when they attain their toddlerhood. Diapers come in all shapes, sizes and designs to suit the baby’s needs. They can be segregated in to two categories- Cloth diapers and Disposables.
There are many parents out there who, due to time and work constraints, rely on readymade diapers as the quick and easy way out. But is this the right approach?
Imagine this scenario: You are a parent to a baby. In a household, where both you and your spouse are working, you hardly have time or energy to wake up in the middle of the night to change clothes that have been wet by your baby. So, you just put on diapers on your child and sleep throughout the night. However, what about your little one? For, even with diapers on, she will be sleeping with the waste sticking to her all night long? Is this the right thing to do?
An article, published in The Hindu Business Line, states that in India, the diaper market is pegged at a massive Rs 1,400 crore. This huge amount is supported by favourable demographics with 26 million babies born in India every year.
Here are some interesting yet shocking facts about diapers in general:
Shocking fact #1: Harmful to the environment

Disposable diapers hold 50 per cent of a newborn’s household waste. Worldwide they rank #3 in occupying landfills which are beyond the capacity for many of the countries. It is also noted that about 90 per cent of babies who use diapers use disposables instead of cloth diapers.

It is still not sure how long a diaper (not all parts of it) takes to decompose. It might take generations for it to go down. In an average, a research study states that it would take 250 to 300 years for a diaper to decompose. All these factors combine to make diapers a threat to the environment.

On an average, a baby might require 5 to 8 diapers which can account to 24 hours a day. Each diaper is filled with chemicals including polymer which can absorb a huge amount of water content. It most cases, it is harmless but if left on the baby for a longer time, the crystals filled in can break out and harm the baby’s tender skin. As they come in constant contact with the baby’s skin throughout the day, parents need to be extra careful in changing diapers on time.

Shocking fact #2: Might cause infection and skin rash

A baby’s skin in general, especially that of an infant or newborn is tender, soft and prone to rash when a diaper is used. Many people assume cloth diapers to be skin-friendly but it can also be otherwise. Any diaper which is left on for long or has a leakage without the parent’s knowledge can cause a nappy rash.
The chemical element which holds the content in without leakage also blocks air circulation making the baby’s skin stay in a wet and moist environment for long periods, which is a home for most microbes that cause infection.
Diaper rash is a common condition in babies during the first few years when they wear diapers on a regular basis. However, it does not mean this condition is not painful for babies. Go through this article that provides tips to handle diaper rash in your little one.



Shocking fact #3: High cost

On an average, it is assumed that 6000 plus diapers are used for one child. Each diaper in India costs somewhere between Rs.10 to Rs.15 which could prove expensive in the long run. In fact, disposable diapers are expensive than cloth diapers which can be cleaned and used.
Shocking fact #4: Might delay potty training

Potty training is a huge achievement for parents and children alike. A child who wears a diaper is potty trained approximately by 3 years of age. A research suggests that children who had used cloth diapers are trained much earlier than the ones who had used disposables. But a child who has never used a diaper is potty trained as early as 6 months of age.
Shocking fact #5: Hampers flushing of content

Almost all disposable diaper companies advise flushing the faecal content of babies before disposing of the diaper. However, 99 per cent of the people who use it conveniently wrap it up and dispose of it in the garbage which eventually ends up in landfills and not in the sewer.
Shocking fact #6: Used for unusual things

Diapers are super absorbent and can be used for some quick fix remedies. For instance, a leak in a tap can be fixed temporarily or a water spill on the dining table can be quickly gotten rid of by pressing on the inside of the diaper. It can also be used to grow some types of plants which need retaining of water for a long time.
Shocking fact #7: Clashes with diaper free time

The importance of diaper free time has come to a peak after disposable diapers were introduced. They are so convenient that parents often forget about diaper-free time for baby and are kept in it for 24 hours a day. Though changing it on time does not harm the baby but some airy time during the day is advisable for the tender skin.
Are you a new parent who is having trouble changing your little one's diapers? This video explains how you can change your baby's diapers the correct way.

Although diapers have made life easy and convenient for parents, especially when both are a shift from disposable diapers to cloth nappies can do a world of good and has many advantages as well. It only requires a little extra effort in cleaning and drying but what matters at the end is the child’s wellness.
Hope you liked this article. To get expert tips and read interesting articles on a wide variety of parenting topics, Subscribe Now to our magazine.
More for you...

Diaper Rash: Tips For Prevention And Treatment

All You Need To Know About Cloth Diapering

6 Hobbies And Activities For Children Under The Age Of 6

The Healing Garden: Grow 6 Homeopathic Herbs At Home

Understanding anxiety

Diaper Rash: Tips For Prevention And Treatment

The problem of diaper rash during a child’s early years is usually a common, short-term condition. However, if left unattended it could lead to considerable agony. Here are some tips to handle it.
By Dr Raina Nikhil Nahar

Diaper Rash: Tips For Prevention And Treatment

Diaper rash is almost an inevitable part of life for parents of newborns and infants. It is a common problem among children under two years of age. A majority of babies experience it in the first three years of their life. Though not a dangerous condition, it cannot be ignored.
What it looks like:

Diaper rash normally appears as a red irritation on the skin on the baby’s bottom or genital area. The rashes may or may not occur within the folds of the skin in the area.
Why it happens:

In a majority of cases, diaper rash is the result of friction caused by wet diapers rubbing against the baby’s sensitive skin. Exposure to faeces, urine or cleaning agents can also lead to skin redness. The acid in the urine and stool causes irritation. Rashes caused by these irritants normally appear in the area which comes into contact with the diaper, and does not occur in the folds of the skin.
Certain types of diaper rashes are the result of allergic reactions caused by wipes, the diapers themselves, detergents, soap, lotions or the elastic in the child’s clothing.

Not changing dirty diapers regularly is another major cause of diaper rash, and so is diarrhoea.

Rashes may be caused by fungal or yeast infections (candida) and could be a side-effect of antibiotics.

Certain foods could also cause diaper rash.

Prevention is better than cure

Adequate skin care is the best preventive method. Follow these tips:
Diapers should be changed regularly.

Hands should be washed clean with soap and water before handling a fresh diaper. The child, especially his bottom, should be kept clean.

A barrier cream or ointment like petroleum jelly or zinc oxide should be used to prevent skin irritation. It is necessary to completely dry the baby’s bottom before the ointment is applied.

If you are using cloth diapers for your baby, study the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and follow them scrupulously. Detergent should be used in the specified quantity only. And make sure that the diapers are rinsed thoroughly to remove all traces of soap and detergents, as these can irritate the baby’s skin.

Avoid using fabric softeners as they are a major cause of skin irritation.

When choosing disposable diapers, select those that are free of dyes and fragrances, as they are potential allergens.

Be aware that babies may be sensitive to new brands of diapers, so if you are changing from a familiar brand, you need to be alert to the possibility of the baby developing diaper rash.

Your baby could also be allergic to wipes. Water and a washcloth are safe alternatives.

Do you know that something as simple and harmless like a diaper can have shocking facts associated with it? Read the below article to know more.

Plan of action:

Despite the best precautions, your baby may still develop a diaper rash. If that happens, try some simple steps to contain the problem and cure it.
Areas affected by rashes should be washed with mild soap and plain water.

Avoid wipes altogether, as the alcohol content in them will irritate the skin further.

Remember also not to scrub the area hard, as this will only aggravate the problem.

After cleaning, pat the area dry with a soft towel. Don’t immediately replace the diaper, let the affected area be exposed to air for some time.

Avoid tight-fitting diapers, as these retain moisture and delay the healing of rashes.

If you think your baby’s problem is because of diet, try to identify the culprit on the menu, and eliminate it.

When to escalate the issue:

The diaper rash may become painful and cause extreme discomfort to the child if it persists beyond a week. Professional medical advice should be sought if practical and simple solutions fail to solve the problem.
If the rash worsens and/or spreads to other parts of the body, seek immediate medical attention.
If you cannot identify the cause of the rash, take the baby to a doctor promptly.
If the rash is followed by diarrhoea which persists for more than 48 hours, medical assistance is imperative.
Diagnosis is usually based on physical examination and an understanding of the child’s medical history. Laboratory tests are not usually required, but if the doctor feels that the problem is due to an allergy, a skin test may be done. Based on the findings, a treatment regimen can be worked out.
It is only in rare cases that hospitalisation is required for treating diaper rash.
This too shall pass!
The good news is, diaper rash is a passing problem. Once a child is toilet-trained, and does not need to wear diapers, the problem will automatically disappea