Disposable Diapers

History of Disposable Diapers

How long have disposable diapers been around? During the post-World War II era, a young mother named Marion Donovan used a shower curtain to create a diaper cover, and her disposable diapers evolved from that invention. She combined her diaper cover, called a Boater, with absorbent material to create the first disposable diaper. Finding it difficult to obtain a manufacturer, she created her own disposable diaper business, which she sold for $1 million dollars several years later. Stanley Mason took Donovan's design and adapted it into the first curved disposable diaper in 1949.

Advantages

Proponents of disposable diapers are quick to point out their advantages. The use of disposable diapers began to increase in popularity in the 1960's and continues to be used by many parents today.

• Convenience-Disposable diapers are certainly convenient. You simply toss them in the trash and pull out a new one whenever necessary.
• Easy Traveling-Whether you're making a short trip to the grocery store or traveling across the country, disposable diapers make traveling with a baby easier.
• Less Mess-You don't have to worry about additional laundry if you use disposable diapers. You just toss the used diaper.

Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages of using disposable diapers. These include the following:

• Cost-Even the cheapest brand of diapers is expensive. While cloth diaper advocates point out that using cloth diapers is more economical, however, parents must figure in the cost of laundry or a diaper service. Still, when the two are compared, disposable diapers are generally more expensive.
• Overflowing Landfills-Obviously, all of those disposable diapers have to go somewhere, so landfills sometimes may seem overrun with disposables.
• Potty Training Deterrents-Some parents argue that it is harder to potty train a toddler that is wearing disposable diapers simply because they can't feel the wetness as much as if they were wearing cloth diapers.

The Diaper Rash Debate

For years, disposable diaper advocates stated that children who wear disposable diapers have a lesser instance of diaper rash. Today, most pediatricians agree that there isn't any one diaper, disposable or cloth, that can prevent diaper rash. In some cases, the dyes and super absorbent gels used in disposables can irritate baby's skin. On the other hand, cloth diapers aren't as absorbent, and baby's skin can become irritated from too much exposure to wetness. The solution? Change your baby's diaper often and keep the diaper area clean, whether you use cloth or disposable.

Diaper Brands

Is one brand really better than another? Typically, parents tend to figure out which diaper they prefer by weighing the costs and effectiveness of a particular brand. There are several popular brands, and there are also several store brands that work just as well. Some brands have also created diapers that are specifically designed for overnight use, and there may also be disposable training pants, such as Pull Ups, available too.

• Huggies
• Luvs
• Pampers
• White Cloud
• Target Diapers