Cloth Diapers & Diaper Covers
Cloth diapers are made from 100% cotton and can be purchased from any store carrying infant items. Cloth diapers are a one-time purchase and can be used for many years. Laundering may be done at home or through a diaper service. If allergies arise from detergents or softeners used by the diaper service in the laundering process, these agents can be changed.

Diaper covers are not limited to plain plastic pants. Stylish diaper covers with easy to use velcro fasteners have made diaper pins a thing of the past. Diaper covers are sold where infant items are sold and may be laundered at home. Many diaper services also supply diaper covers.

Because many parents are turning to cloth diapers for financial and environmental reasons, there have been recent efforts to simplify the process for parents. You may purchase "all in one" diapers that serve as both cloth diaper and diaper cover, and there are diaper liners available to place inside cloth diapers. These can increase night-time absorbency, and can minimize mess from baby's stools. There are numerous sites on the Internet for either purchasing such products, or for reading diapering tips from other parents.

Single-Use Disposable Diapers
Single-use disposable diapers are available at baby stores, convenience stores, discount stores and grocery stores. Many day cares require their families to use single use disposable diapers to cut down on the transmission of germs and provide faster and easier service to your baby. Single use diapers make soaking obsolete.

Many mothers find the convenience of disposable diapers satisfying while other mothers express deep concerns about allergies to man-made chemicals and materials, the damage to the environment (where do all of those diapers go, as they do not readily decompose in landfills?) and the cost. Since your baby needs between 7,300 and 14,600 diaper changes, it is important for many new parents to estimate the cost of single use diapers versus reusable cloth diapers.

Diaper Rash
Your baby's bottom is very sensitive to the irritation of urine and stools. It is vital to change the baby as soon as the diaper is soiled. Baby's bottom may be rinsed well with warm water, or gentle, alcohol-free wipes may be used. It is nice to allow the bottom to air dry. Talc is not recommended as it can be inhaled and cause irritation of baby's lungs. Diaper rash cream should not be used routinely, but when baby's bottom begins to look irritated, it is wise to use an over the counter cream, which contains Zinc Oxide. If a baby is very prone to diaper rash, though, the parents may choose to apply the cream as a preventative measure at night, when baby's diaper will stay on the longest. If the rash persists, it could be another type of skin rash (such as thrush) and a trip to the pediatrician might be in order.

~excerpted from Postpartum Doula OfficeTM.