5 Things to Know When Choosing Diapers for Your Baby

One of the less glamorous parts of being a parent involves changing diapers.  While there’s plenty of advice out there about how to change them, information is scarce on how to choose the right brand.  Before you load up your supermarket cart, here’s 5 things you should know.

Disposable Diapers Are Safe

There’s an ongoing debate about whether to use cloth diapers or disposable ones.  Cloth diaper advocates argue that disposables aren’t safe but this isn’t true.  The top sheet of a disposable diaper is made from polypropylene while the backing sheet is made from polyethylene.  These chemicals might sound dangerous but they’re gentle on skin and FDA-approved.

Most Brands Are Unisex

Some new parents wonder if certain diapers are better for boys while others favor girls.  According to an article from Parents magazine, it doesn’t matter.  Pampers spokesperson Tricia Higgins shared, “We were able to make diapers that have absorbency in the areas that all babies need with only one design.”  Problem solved.

Diaper Rash Isn’t Caused by Diapers

There’s a common belief that diaper rash can be prevented by switching diaper brands.  However, the rash itself isn’t caused by the diaper.  It’s most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to urine or stool.  To prevent it, make sure you change your baby’s diaper often.  In some rare cases, a diaper that’s too tight can cause diaper rash.  Again, this is less about the brand and more about the sizing.

Cloth Diapers Don’t Equal Early Potty Training

There’s an urban mommy legend that using cloth diapers means their little one will start potty training earlier.  This is a myth.  The type of diaper you’re using doesn’t determine the speed of this big step.  While some studies have shown that kids in cloth diapers were potty trained by 18 months, that difference was cultural, not material.  In those cultures, the moms spent more time with their kids.  Thus, they moved to potty training much quicker.

Save Money with Store Brands

Thanks to savvy marketing, most moms trust big diaper brands.  However, it’s okay to opt for a store brand if you want to save a few bucks.  They may not have the name recognition, but they’ve got close to the same absorption.

When you know the facts, buying diapers isn’t as stressful as it seems.

References:

• http://www.upworthy.com/all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-diapers-and-whats-in-em
• http://www.parents.com/baby/diapers/diaper-change/diapers-101/
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diaper-rash/basics/causes/con-20019220
• https://www.babycenter.com/404_will-using-cloth-diapers-make-my-child-ready-to-potty-train_69917.bc
• http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/saving/easy-ways-to-save-money-on-diapers-wipes
• Photo Credits: CC0 Public Domain