Cloth diapers and disposable ones both have advantages: Cloth diapers are “natural,” can be less expensive than disposables in the long run, are softer to the baby’s skin, and breathe better. If you use a diaper service, cloth diapers can be almost as easy to use as disposables. On the other hand, disposables are convenient and require no washing or pickup service. Some people use a diaper service in the first few weeks and then switch to disposables. Some use cloth diapers at home and disposables when the baby has an outing. Whichever you use, you will need about 10 diapers a day, or about 70 a week.

Diapers and the Environment

There’s been lots of discussion about the environmental effects of reusable and disposable diapers, making it hard to know what’s best. Most experts agree that reusable diapers require more water and generate more waterborne wastes as a result of the laundering process. In addition, home laundering uses more energy than commercial laundering (which can also be expensive!). So what’s the downside of disposable diapers? Manufacturing them requires more raw materials, and they are the third largest source of solid waste—the average baby will go through 70 a week! Although some diapers are touted as biodegradable, the lack of oxygen in landfills means disposable diapers can take a long time to break down.

In weighing your choice, you may want to consider the environmental challenges in your local area; for example, if you live in an area prone to droughts and water shortages, disposable diapers may be the better choice.

Getting Ready

Before diapering a baby, make sure you have all supplies within easy reach. Never—not even for a second—leave your baby unattended on the changing table. As one of our readers enthusiastically told us, “Never underestimate your baby’s ability to roll!”

To change a newborn, you need the following items on hand:

• A clean diaper and fasteners if a cloth diaper is used • Diaper ointment or petroleum jelly, especially if your baby has a rash

• Cotton balls and a small basin with lukewarm water and a clean washcloth (Or you can use commercial diaper wipes as long as your baby is not sensitive to them.)

What do you do next? Remove the dirty diaper by gently lifting your baby’s legs and feet and sliding it out from under the buttocks. Use the water, cotton balls, and washcloth or the wipes to gently wipe your baby’s bottom area clean. When removing a boy’s diaper, do so carefully because exposure to the air may make him urinate right then and there. When wiping a girl, wipe her bottom from front to back to help avoid urinary tract infection. If your baby has a rash, apply ointment. (Some parents like to apply ointment to the diaper area routinely to prevent the development of a rash.) Remember to wash your hands after changing a diaper. If using disposable diapers, remember the following tips

• Open the diaper and, gently lifting your baby’s legs and feet, slide the diaper underneath. Then attach, using tape on both sides.

• Bowel movements should be emptied into the toilet before the diaper is put into the garbage. Garbage should be emptied regularly to prevent a health hazard.

• Cloth diapers usually come prefolded or in a square that you can fold into a triangle to fit your child. Initially, you will probably need to fold about a third of the diaper down from the end so that it’s not too long. If the diaper has extra padding, place it in the front for boys and in the back for girls.

• Place your baby in the diaper by gently lifting your baby’s feet and legs as little as possible and sliding the diaper under. If using a rectangular fold, bring the diaper through the middle and fasten on both sides. If using a triangle, bring the center corner up through the middle; then bring one and the other ends together, and fasten in the middle.

• If using pins, use oversize pins with plastic safety heads. To prevent pricking your baby, keep your hand between the pin and his skin. If this makes you nervous, use diaper tape that comes in a dispenser.

• If you are washing the diapers yourself, wash them separately from other laundry, using a mild baby detergent. Don’t use fabric softener or antistatic products, which can cause rashes on sensitive baby skin. Use hot water and double rinse each wash.