Types of Diapers

Diapers are garments that are typically worn by infants before they are potty trained so that they do not soil their clothing or make a mess before they know to go in the toilet. They are also used by the elderly or the infirm who are not able to physically reach a toilet. There are basically two different types of diapers...cloth diapers and disposable diapers. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Cloth diapers and training pants have been around for about as long as cloth itself. Usually, cloth diapers are pinned on using a safety pin, or some other type of fastening device.

One advantage to cloth diapers is that they can be re-used. This is both monetarily good and good for the environment. It can help you to save money by re-using diapers, but it also cuts down on waste because it does not cause so much paper and plastic to be thrown into landfills.

Disposable diapers are actually more popular now, even though they did not really show up until the 20th century. Disposable diapers are liked more because they are a lot less hassle than cloth diapers. With cloth diapers, you need to wash them between uses. With disposable diapers, however, you only need to throw them away. There are some “biodegradable” options, but they're not biodegradable to an extreme extant.

They are not as planet-healthy as cloth diapers, and they definitely cost more, but they seem to more than make up for these shortcomings in the mind of consumers by being easy to use and dispose of.

In addition to the cloth and disposable diapers, there are a few other less prominent types of diapers. For example, there are pull ups which are like a cross between underwear and a diaper. These are meant to help children who are in the process of potty training. They protect from accidents, but help kids get used to what it is like to wear real underwear.

More information is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diapers .