It is undeniable that we are reaching a crisis point in our environment but just in time we are beginning to concentrate on all things ecological. Being a parent, however, is time consuming and tools which offer more convenience and less washing are priceless.

So which diapers/ nappies should you use? The choice will come down to two things. The depth of time and attention you choose to putting into being environmentally friendly and whether the joy of convenience outweighs this. The choice is entirely yours and whatever choice you make no-one should have the right to comment on that. Here are a few facts and points to help you to decide:

Cloth Diapers

• The best cloth diapers are 100% cotton
• You can buy diaper liners which lift right out when baby has done a poo, making the diapers last longer and be quite quick and easy to change
• You can use terry towel diapers with safety pins or the newer and safer diaper clips or can buy ready formed diapers which look the same as disposable diapers and close with clips, press studs or velcro
• If using cloth diapers invest in a nappy bin with a lid. This means that you can put diapers in to soak and can wash them in bulk instead of every time you change baby. Also invest in tea tree oil to sprinkle in the diaper bin to neutralise smells
• Cloth diapers allow the skin to breath and so there is less chance of developing diaper rash
• Cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly than disposable ones
• Cloth diapers are a bigger initial investment than disposable ones but are more economical than the long term cost of buying disposable nappies
• You will spend a lot of time changing and washing diapers in the first few months of baby’s life as they wee and poo almost constantly
• You will need to be very proactive at changing baby during the night as a damp diaper will keep him or her awake
• If you decide to use disposable diapers from birth you may want to move to cloth diapers during potty training as a transition between diapers and underpants/ knickers
• It is thought that babies who wear cloth nappies are potty trained earlier than babies who wear disposable ones as they can feel every time their diaper is wet and know they have done a wee
• There are now many varieties of cloth diaper to choose from including ones with padded bottoms, waterproof top pants, variable size and elasticated legs.
• When dry cloth diapers are more comfortable than disposables 
• Using cloth diapers will increase your use of water, electricity and cleaning products
• Many local councils or government agencies offer new mothers free packs of cloth diapers in exchange for answering some questions following a trial period

Disposable diapers

• Disposable diapers absorb liquid so if you cannot change them after each wee baby will still be quite comfortable
• Disposable diapers are more convenient for any venture outside of the house and you will have to carry less with you
• Babies will not be woken up as easily by a damp diaper during the night as their diaper will lock away the wetness
• There is less washing involved during those first few weeks when you need all of the rest you can get
• Disposable diapers do provide more potential for diaper rash
• Disposable diapers can be a lot more convenient for younger babies who have a liquid diet and runny poo. They are also more convenient if baby has a stomach upset
• Damp disposable diapers are more comfortable than damp cloth diapers
• There have been health concerns around the many chemicals used in diaposable diapers
• It can take up to several hundred years for some disposable diapers to biodegrade

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