The popularity of disposable diapers has increased in recent years, as these products are very convenient and hassle-free, which makes them an ideal choice. Many parents prefer these diapers, readily available in daily needs and comfort shops.
There is no need to carry the soiled nappies when traveling, as they can easily be disposed of. These diapers are designed specifically with super absorbent materials for better absorption and preventing leakages. Plus, disposable diapers do not require washing, making them a better choice than cloth nappies.
Even though there are a few positive points for disposable diapers, such as convenience, easy availability, and hassle-free use, it is a controversial product. It has a fair share of disadvantages. The disposable diapers are not environment-friendly, as they add to our landfill issues. Find below the top 5 disadvantages you will face when using disposable diapers for your baby.
Top 5 Disadvantages Of Using Disposable Diapers
As a parent, you must stay updated about the disadvantages of using disposable diapers for your baby in the long run. The points mentioned below can pose a threat to the wellness of your baby if ignored.
1. Presence Of Toxic Chemicals
You will agree that you must change around eight diapers for your baby each day, which means approximately one diaper is used for 4 hours. Always remember that a diaper touches your baby’s skin directly and continuously. So, it indicates that the toxic chemicals found in disposable diapers are in constant touch with your baby’s skin. It is wiser to have a “diaper-free time” for a few hours every day to prevent constant interaction of toxic chemicals with the baby’s skin round the clock.
Swallowing or breathing objects like balloons or plastic bags can be dangerous for kids. To be safe, diapers should always be covered with clothes so kids can’t get to the plastic. Doctors should alert the parents of this risk, especially if a child has breathing problems or a runny nose. (1)
2. Triggers Infection
When the babies pass urine in the diaper, the material that absorbs the pee to prevent leakages also restricts air circulation. While there is no air circulation inside the wet diaper, it tends to become warm and moist. It acts as an excellent thriving ground for fungi and bacteria that, in turn, can lead to the development of skin infections in babies.
Babies in disposable diapers are more likely to get a UTI if not changed frequently. The less often the diaper is changed, the higher the risk. (2)
3. Potty Training Can Be Difficult
Generally, potty training involves specific signals, sounds, and cues between babies and their parents that enable them to understand how to urinate and pass stools in the washroom. However, using disposable diapers for your baby for an extended period will be very comfortable. They will not be willing to be involved in potty training activities.
In the past, parents used to potty train their babies much earlier. Still, with these disposable diapers, parents must remember to take the initiative in potty training or begin it much later. So, you must remember to start the potty training session for your baby as soon as they are old enough to understand your instructions. Also, avoid buying diapers in huge quantities, as it will force you to use up the diapers even when your baby has passed a certain age.
As per a study done in China, more kids are using disposable diapers and having bladder issues. Using diapers for too long and delaying toilet training increases these problems. Starting toilet training early and using fewer diapers lowers the risk. (3)
4. Skin Rashes and Allergies
Also known as the diaper rash, this skin condition usually occurs when the baby wears a wet diaper for a long time. The moisture in the disposable diaper kindles bacteria growth, which irritates the baby’s skin.
If you spot tender, red, and sore little bumps on your baby’s back after removing a diaper, then it is the skin rash condition caused by the wet diaper that rubbed against your baby’s skin for a long time. So, make sure that you check the diaper your baby is wearing every hour and change it immediately as soon it is soiled.
Using dyes, chemicals, and synthetic gels in disposable diapers can trigger skin allergies in babies. These substances can irritate your baby’s gentle skin and can react when mixed with poop or urine. Stop wearing the diapers for your baby as soon as you spot a skin allergy, and make sure that you keep the affected area well-nourished using a gentle baby lotion.
A study by Technology Station Clothing and Textiles, Cape Town 7535, South Africa, found that diaper chemicals could cause rashes in babies. The study focussed on pH, heavy metals, and formaldehyde. Some diapers were safer than others based on these factors. Nickel was the only metal found at unsafe levels in some diapers. Half of the diapers had too much formaldehyde, while 25% had unsafe pH levels. Baby diaper rash happened in the kids due to allergic contact dermatitis. This can be attributed to heavy metals, pH, and formaldehyde. However, it is not for all diaper brands. Choose a disposable diaper from a reputed brand and buy it from a good store. (4)
5. Messes With Baby’s Walking Ability
If only cloth nappies affect the baby’s motor development, you must think again. Disposable diapers can also hinder your baby’s walking pattern, owing to their design. These products are designed with a wide bottom to hold the urine and poop off your baby. It spreads your baby’s legs wider and limits movement by causing an impact in the lower spine area.
The wideness of your baby’s legs induced by the disposable diapers can skew the alignment and cause your baby to follow a W-sitting style. Keep an eye on your baby’s lower back alignment by making them crawl on the floor without the nappy. Practice baby steps by sitting at a distance and encouraging the baby to walk towards you. If there is any misaligned pattern in walking or crawling, seek your doctor’s advice immediately to overcome the issue.
We have covered almost all the disadvantages of using disposable diapers to help you make a well-informed buying decision when choosing a disposable diaper for your baby. You can find an array of disposable diapers in the market, and make sure that you select the best ones based on your lifestyle, affordability, and personal preferences. Opting for diapers with breathable materials, lightweight design, and chemical-free labels would be gentle on your baby’s skin. You can also seek the physician’s advice to help you choose the correct diaper for your baby.
Clothes and diapers can affect how babies walk or move. Diapers might affect how quickly a baby learns to walk. The study found that old-style cloth diapers and modern disposable diapers make it harder for babies to walk well than walking naked. Babies took more wrong steps and fell more when wearing diapers. (5)
References
- C M Johnson 3rd – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3083340/
- Sugimura Children’s Medical Clinic, Ghikugo, Japan – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18648080/
- Pediatric Urodynamic Center and Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8196082/
- Technology Station Clothing and Textiles, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9858694/
- Karen E. Adolph, Department of Psychology, New York University, 6 Washington Place, New York – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580949/
