Disposable
diapers for babies and toddlers are the most commonly purchased item for new
parents that are consistently used throughout each day and for the first few
years. Parents are constantly looking to use diapers that are durable, safe,
and comfortable for their child to ensure a healthy and happy baby. Although
not much thought is often put into the baby diaper, there's an extensive
history for this popular and incredible invention.
Today,
the primary material and ingredient in disposable diapers includes multiple
kinds of plastic, along with cotton. In America, 250,000 trees are used each
year to make disposable diapers. However, when diapers were first used they
were made of cloth, such as cotton or a simple linen. It was first utilized in
England in the 1590s and was labeled "diapering." The inventive baby
product quickly spread to neighboring countries and was permanently used in
Canada, the U.S., and and the British colonization of North America. Over time,
diapers were then fastened with a secure pin for babies in the 19th century,
and finally a century later disposable diapers evolved to form a convenient and
affordable product for parents that were easy to throw away.
Disposable
diapers have become increasingly popular with approximately 16 billion
disposable diapers used each year. Parents spend about $10 a week on the
product, adding up to $520 each year. This is enough motivation for most
parents to start potty training as soon as possible. However, about one-third
of babies are still wearing diapers up to the age of three. A baby usually uses
about 50 diapers a week.
For
parents who choose to go the more natural route, cloth diapers are popular to
reduce the carbon footprint and for a more eco-friendly product. They now come
in many different sizes and are more trendy with plenty of colors and patterns.
Cloth diapers often come with inserts that are easy to remove when the diaper
has been used. It's recommended that about six dozen cloth diapers should be
purchased for those who go this route, and the cost will be about one-tenth of
disposables. Although they come with more work, they are a great option for
those with a tight budget. There are even some tax breaks available for those
who purchase cloth diapers if it's to treat a disease in the baby through
flexible spending accounts.
Interestingly
enough, just in the U.S. 467 diapers are used every second. This comes out to
18,238 diapers used every second worldwide. Unfortunately, due to many places
of poverty in the world, less than one-third of babies use diapers. In the
U.S., 95 percent of babies in the country use disposable diapers.
In the
last decade, many parents have resorted to using more environmentally friendly
diapers that contain less toxin and are made of organic ingredients. This is
supposed to benefit both the baby and the environment, and is said to decrease
rashes on the skin and increase air flow. There are many organic diaper
companies that also deliver large supplies right to the doorstep and offer free
trials