User:LyraElliot1156

If you've read about the environmental impact of cloth diapers, you've read about all of the chemicals used in disposable diapers. It is a known fact that babies tend to have more sensitive skin than adults. It's why you see so many soaps and lotions marketed for babies. The chemicals in disposable diapers can cause serious allergic reactions in some infants and minor irritations in many others. Many babies are sensitive, if not allergic, to these chemicals. The superabsorbent polymers (SAP) have a chemical reaction with liquid and turn into a gel, which helps contain the liquid. That's right - there's a chemical reaction in your child's diaper.

In early 2010, Pamper's launched their new Dry Max line - marketed to have a high-powered gel that holds 5 times more liquid than before. Proctor and Gamble, the makers of Pampers, were charged in several class action lawsuits due to skin changes (irritation and rashes) and chemical burns sustained after using the new Pampers with Dry Max. This is not an isolated incident where one child had a reaction. Many, many parents have complained that the chemicals used in today's modern disposable diapers, while absorbent, are way too strong. There is no reason that a child should be made to wear a sopping wet diaper for hours just because it can absorb that much, but that's exactly how the disposable diaper manufacturers market them.

Another health concern of many parents is diaper rash. Diaper rashes are generally caused by wetness when a diaper is not promptly changed. The most absorbent disposable diapers can absorb several times their weight in liquid without leaking. This can lead to less frequent diaper changes and longer exposure to wetness and chemicals, especially overnight. In general cloth diapers are changed more frequently and therefore your baby is not exposed to prolonged wetness and is at less of a risk for diaper rash. With cloth diapers, you're able to control any laundry soaps or additives that are used on your diapers, which also decreases your child's chance of a rash.

In general, if your baby has overly sensitive skin, reacts poorly to the chemicals in disposables, or is prone to diaper rash, cloth diapers are almost always a better option. Cloth diapers are much gentler on the skin and since you can control the detergents and other laundry additives that your baby is exposed to, you greatly lessen the risk of diaper rash. guards for kids