Earlier branded as messy and extremely inconvenient to use, thanks to innovations that have taken place, cloth diapers that are available today are not only convenient but also economical and healthier for babies. This variety is also environment-friendly unlike disposables. According to a recent estimate, almost 3.4 million tons of diapers end up in landfills every year.
While earlier cloth nappies could be tedious and actually add to the parents’ stress, today advancements have allowed for better varieties and, therefore, you find options that are snug fits and also waterproof. There are also options available that allow the baby’s body to breathe, preventing diaper rash and others that come with Velcro fasteners that make the entire process of changing the baby easy. Add to all these pros, the variety of patterns and colors that they are available in, and you will definitely question the logic behind using disposables when compared to nappies made of cloth.
Usage
If you have made the decision to side with the protagonist of this article, then you will want to know how to make your baby wear them. Let’s take a look.
- Most varieties that are available in the market today are pre-folded, which makes it much easier to work with them.
- Take a diaper and place it on the bed vertically. While doing so, ensure that the middle section which is the thickest is right at the center.
- Next, you will need to fold the thinner sides that are on the left and the right to meet the middle section.
- Remove the soiled diaper that your baby is wearing and place him or her on the diaper that you have placed. The top edge of the diaper should be at the same height as the navel of the baby. If your baby is small in size fold the top of the front of the diaper for boys and the top of the back for girls.
- Now pull the side of the diapers towards the front of the diaper. Ensure you do this from around the back of your baby. Now secure the diaper with a convenient fastener.
- Once you have tied the diaper around your kid, you can cover it with a diaper cover. Though traditionally made from vinyl, today there are diaper covers available which are made from wool or even fleece.
Be careful with the fasteners you use. Many parents use safety pins but be careful while using these as it may hurt the baby. An option that is safer is using a fastener like the one Snappi manufactures. An alternative that many parents use is the easy tear tape that is available in most drug stores. The thicker variety of these tapes is very easy to use and lasts longer, especially if you use a long strip. In case you are using nappies that come with Velcro or snap fasteners, then these instructions would be redundant as they just snap into place. One thing to remember is to always have everything you need around the changing table. Keep wipes, powder, diaper covers, and anything else you need at hand.
Making your baby wear cloth nappies is extremely easy and after a while you will be able to perform the task blindfolded. Well almost! If the thought of the laundry pile is keeping you from using them, then there are companies that provide services of picking up dirty diapers and delivering clean ones. While the cloth option remains our first pick, it may be a good idea to have some disposable diapers at hand always. These may come in handy at the most inopportune of times, especially when you are traveling.
