7 Facts About Diapers That Will Shock You

Here are some interesting yet shocking facts about diapers in general:

Shocking fact #1: Harmful to the environment

Disposable diapers hold 50 percent 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 percent 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 a 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. 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 the flushing of content

Almost all disposable diaper companies advise flushing the fecal content of babies before disposing of the diaper. However, 99 percent 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 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 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.

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.

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