Baby diapers – an Introduction

Baby diapers are diapers in North America and baby nappies or nappy in Great Britain, many Commonwealth countries and Ireland. Baby diapers are an absorbent garments to be put on babies as they are incontinent i.e. not having control over bladder or bowel passing. In other words, since babies are unable to go to toilet themselves when needed and do it into their bottom, they are given these absorbents.

History of baby diapers

Human infant is not able to pass its urine and stools at desired places (loo or toilet) and this is the story as old as human history. In olden days, mothers use to tie up their baby’s bottom with a very soft cloth. Baby urinates very frequently and this turned a human to invent something that can absorb the urine and other discharges so that the frequency of changing the cloth is reduced.

Northern cultures such as the Inuit and Lappi made use of absorbent sphagnum moss that is still used by native cultures for the same purpose. When infants needed to be transferred, they were wrapped tightly in homespun cloths or in shells, which were fabricated from plants and animal hides.

In the mid-19th century, cheap manufactured cotton fabrics like muslin and flannel were readily available. They were affordable by a person having normal status in the society. This material was used to form diapers with the safety pin to make it remain in its original place. The baby diapers were typically manufactured in the shape of square or rectangular.

The safety pin was removed and diaper manufacturers replaced it with adhesive tape, which was much easier to tie and to remove. Eventually, there has been revolution in making baby diapers. They now come in different sizes with different colors and printings on it to match your baby’s rest of the apparel. All baby diapers are disposable. They have maximum capacity to absorb the liquid. They are eco-friendly as they can be recycled.

Understanding baby diapers

Since their introduction several decades ago, diaper discovery consist the use of super-absorbent polymers, reseal-able tapes and elasticized waistbands. Nowadays, baby diapers are much thinner and more absorbent.

Modern baby diapers have layered construction that allows the transfer and distribution of body fluid to an absorbent core structure. This is where it gets locked. The topsheet closest to the skin is made up of soft nonwoven fabric. This fabric is made in such a way that it transfers urine quickly to the layer underneath. The distribution layer receives this urine and transfers it onto something called absorbent core, which is made up of cellulose pulp and super-absorbent polymers. At last, the backsheet is made up of ‘breathable’ polyethylene film that prevents the bed or clothes being wet.

Steps to be followed using baby diapers

Using baby diapers needs a direction for proper usage. This should also fit your budget. There are certain steps to be followed to be happy and to make your baby comfortable.

• Decide the quantity. Find out how many diapers you will need for your baby in a day. Observe a baby for couple of days and check how frequently it urinates. It comes to around five to eight diapers as a stockpile.
  
• Choose the size that your baby fits into. Baby diaper manufacturers label the size on diaper pack indicating the size according to either weight or age. Do not choose too tight diaper for your infant.
  
• Gather all the prices of diapers from different manufactures and calculate according to your monthly budget.
  
• Select the diaper of well-known brand. The reason behind this is these standard manufacturers use the material for the diaper that is non-irritant to almost all babies. Other cheap manufacturers may use the cheap quality material that can irritate your baby’s soft skin.
  
• Try to avoid purchasing baby diapers those are having pins. One should go for baby diaper having adhesive tape.
  
• While putting a diaper on your baby, take care that pins or adhesive tape should not get stuck to your baby. These adhesive tapes have powerful adhesive solution on them that can harm your baby’s soft skin.
  
• Put enough powder on the baby’s area that is going to be covered by diaper. Though diapers are made up in a way that they breathe or provide very little ventilation, it is still better to take precautions.
  
• Daily observe your baby’s genital parts and an area around anus. Diaper rashes are most common in infants and need an attention. You can apply some anti-rash cream or powder as prescribed by your pediatrician.
  
• Never use the used diaper. Discard it once it is used.
  
• Do not keep diaper for longer period. Though they are good absorbents, they need to be changed after certain period.
  
• Do not over-tight baby diapers to your baby. Take care when it comes to waistbands. See that diapers are not so tightly fitted that they leave marks on baby’s skin when they are removed.
  
• Discard the diaper properly so that it is not reused properly. Keep out of reach of children and babies.
  
• Never forget to wash your baby’s genital and anus when you change the diapers. After washing, put absorbent and antiseptic powder covering all the area under diaper.
  
• If you are using non-disposable diapers, wash diapers with anti-septic liquid lotion and dry them in shade and not directly under sunlight.
  
• Make sure that non-disposable diapers are totally dried before reusing. Check out for any insects or ants before putting it on baby.