Baby Talk May2019

Life & Style
Savvy Choices
Modern diapering: What could we possibly mean?
Modern diapering could mean anything from simple cloth
diapering to super-absorbent disposable diapers. The whole
term ‘modern diapering’ itself can be a tad confusing to
explain, because for many, it actually refers to cloth diapering,
which in a way is actually turning back the clock to how
diapering was done many, many decades ago, using reusable
diapers. On the other hand, we have parents who liken the
term ‘modern’ to convenience above all, and nothing beats
the convenience of disposable diapers, no matter where you
go in the world.
So, let’s dissect this issue right now and go into the nitty gritty
of both cloth diapers as well as disposable diapers, before
leaving the choice to you.
Cloth diapers
Are you new to the concept of cloth diapering? Or perhaps
you’re considering using them for your baby? Well here’s
what you can expect in terms of benefits.
Cloth diapering will save you money.
The cost of disposable diapers is approximately RM8,300
from the time your baby is born till he is potty-trained. As
for cloth diapers, you’ll only need about 24 one size fits all
diapers, assuming you’ll be washing them regularly. At the
cost of about RM50 per diaper, you’ll be spending all-in about
RM1,200 for your child’s diapers. Keep in mind too, that you
can reuse these for your next child!
The bonus point here is, you’ll probably buy your cloth
diapers before your baby is born, which means that you could
potentially be eliminating your future diapering expense even
before your baby arrives!
It’s 2019: There are no folding or pins involved!
Contrary to what you may have in mind, modern cloth
diapers are not the same as the ones many of us may have
been diapered in when we were babies. They are, today,
more efficiently designed and more user friendly than they
have ever been. You also do not have to own the skills of an
origami folding artists to use one either, for they’re way past
folding, or pinning in place for that matter.
Prefolds, on the other hand, one of the cheapest options
of cloth diapers, are rectangles of absorbent fabric with
extra bulk in the middle and needs to be fastened with a
pin-less, diaper fastener, such as Snappi, then layered with a
waterproof diaper cover.
BabyTalk | May 2019 33