Debate continues to rage, as it has done since the introduction of disposable nappies a few decades ago, over which is best: disposable or reusable nappies? It's a question which might seem innocuous to some, and many don't give the subject any consideration whatsoever. You might be surprised then at how much debate this topic causes, how quickly it polarises groups of parents. There's an interesting phenomena between the two schools of thought. The parents who side with reusable cloth nappies are far more passionate about the subject than those who use disposables. Hopefully this guide can help explain why that is, and perhaps help you to choose which type of nappy you're going to use with your little one.

The Approach

This guide will take the format of a hypothetical debate. The two types of nappy will each be studied first in terms of their benefits, then their disadvantages, then finally we'll use a little common sense to judge if we can find a winner from the two. Lets get started.

History & Benefits of Reusable Nappies

When we refer to reusable nappies here, we're referring to modern reusable nappies. It's tempting to believe that the advances in technology have been exclusive to disposable nappies; this is wrong. Modern reusable nappies are every bit as efficient as disposable ones. Often, reusable nappies are made from industrial cottons. Natural materials are also available, with relatively exotic fabrics constructed from pesticide-free hemp or bamboo, for example.

For absorbency, reusable nappies might use microfibre toweling or waterproof polyurethane laminates. Elastic and lycra are often used to give reusable nappies adjustability and a comfortable fit. Polyester fleece or faux suede is sometimes used on the inside of the nappy for their softness next to the skin and their liquid wicking properties.

Modern cloth nappies usually are fastened with Velcro or soft hook-and-loop fasteners. This makes them easy to put on and take off; easier than disposables in some instances. The folding technique which some reusable nappies require is simple, and once you've done it once or twice it becomes second nature. You'll be able to do it in your sleep in no time. Which is handy.

Also handy is the amount of money you'll save by using reusables instead of disposables. Using disposables, you'll spend about £903.50 over the two and a half years your child is in nappies. If you use reusables, that figure tumbles to just £350. And this figure includes the costs of the nappies themselves plus any accessories, washing agents, electrical energy, heating and even maintenance of the washing machine!

The benefits on the environment of using reusable nappies also can't be stressed enough, but we'll talk about that in a little more detail in a moment. Before we do…

History & Benefits of Disposable Nappies

As is the case with so many technological innovations, it was the Second World War which allowed the mass production and development of disposable nappies. The new materials and manufacturing techniques which emerged from the war permitted a quick and easy way to keep babies clean and happy.

Disposable nappies generally include 'superabsorbent polymers' in their construction, which can comfortably absorb extremely large amounts of liquid. Elasticated waists and leg holes and resealable tapes allow for a comfortable fit and a (comparatively) waterproof seal around your babies' skin. If you're willing to spend a little extra money then disposables are also manufactured from biodegradable materials.

The topsheet in a disposable nappy is the sheet of material which is closest to your babies' skin. It's soft to avoid irritating the wearer's skin, and it's designed to pass fluids straight through to the layers beneath. Below it is the distribution layer, which passes fluids into the most absorbent part of the nappy; the absorbent core. The core is constructed from cellulose pulp and the superabsorbent polymers we mentioned a moment ago. The fluid is distributed to the core were it's held until the nappy is discarded. There's also a backsheet; a waterproof material which prevents fluid leaking through the nappy.

Disposable nappies are usually either closed and secured with Velcro or they're fully elasticised, and are generally adjustable. Leak guards prevent any fluids from leaving the nappy, and wetness indicators alert you that the nappy has been soiled before the wearer does.

Due to the materials used in their construction, disposable nappies are very light and can be packed down very small, which makes them easy to transport in bulk. They are easy to put on your baby and easy to remove, and they're sold at reasonable prices in most shops. They don't have to be cleaned, just chucked away without fuss. They're probably quite comfortable too.

Disadvantages of Reusable Nappies

• Washing It's not difficult to do, but the fact that it has to be done at all makes it a disadvantage.
• Learning the Folding Technique Really, really easy, but like the point above, the fact that it has to be done at all is a disadvantage.

Disadvantages of Disposable Nappies

• Their Effect on the Environment This is a big concern. Around eight MILLION nappies are discarded every day in the UK alone. This puts massive pressure on landfill sites; how do you dispose of nearly THREE BILLION nappies a year? Soon, there won't be room to bury them.
• They are Not Biodegradable Once disposable nappies have been buried, they're in the ground for a long, long time.
• They're Not Cute, Are They? They look like they were built solely to do the job they do, and because it's an unattractive job, disposable nappies are unattractive items. Colourful, certainly. But still ugly.
• Expensive At a time in your life when extra cash is exceptionally important, you'll end up spending over three times as much on disposable nappies as you will on reusable nappies.
• Amounts In the two and a half years your child will probably be in nappies, you'll use 6,000 disposables compared with up to 50 reusables.

And the Winner is…

We mentioned earlier that we'd have to use a little common sense in order to pin down a winner between disposable and reusable nappies. In an effort to maintain a sense of impartiality, too many sites end their advice on this debate by simply saying 'you've seen the evidence, it's up to you'. We're not going to do that. We're going to commit to an answer. So here goes. Disposal nappies are little more practical. However, we can't balance the practicality of disposable nappies with the long term damage which they are obviously doing. We don't think that the time saved with disposal nappies reconciles the £40,000,000 it cost annually to dispose of them.

Therefore, we suggest you stick to reusable nappies, and perhaps use disposable only when you're traveling or have no facility to wash reusable ones.