Pros and cons of diapers - expert opinions. Diapers: pros and cons. Reviews from modern mothers Using diapers: horror stories and myths

Diapers: Pros and Cons Decades ago, parents used only cloth diapers. With the advent of disposable chores, mothers seem to have less worries. However, recently the situation has changed. And now every second new mother goes through a stage of trial and error until she chooses the ones that are ideal for her baby.

Simply and easily?

Why do most people love disposable diapers? They are easily fixed on the baby's bottom. After using a disposable diaper, just throw it in the trash and put a fresh one on your baby. They take up little space in mom's bag and are convenient when traveling by car or on a plane. Many disposable diapers can absorb bad smell after the baby “went big.” Some are even soaked in a special moisturizing lotion or medicinal herbs. They don't seem to have any flaws.

However, many modern mothers complain that it is as a result of the constant use of disposable diapers that their children take longer and have more difficulty potty training. The child does not feel the moment when “the job is done,” because due to the powerful absorbent, the pants are always dry and comfortable. For some active users of this disposable “clothing,” the process of mastering the potty sometimes drags on for up to three or four years. In addition, good diapers are a significant waste of money, which not every parent can handle. And by choosing cheap alternatives, your baby runs the risk of developing diaper rash or skin irritation.

And yet rare modern child goes through the infancy stage without trying on a disposable diaper at least once.

For special kids

Living in a metropolis, it is not easy for a pregnant woman to avoid the influence of negative environmental factors. As a result, many children are born with allergies. Not every family can afford to spend the entire nine months of waiting in an environmentally safe place, for example, in a village or in a bungalow on the seashore. If your baby is allergic, be very careful when choosing the first “clothes” for his skin. Many children cannot tolerate synthetic fabrics, so choosing a disposable diaper will not be so easy. Some parents, in a panic, begin to sweep everything off the shelves and try one thing or another. Calm down and choose the best! For example, disposable eco-diapers. They do not contain chemical additives, are made from natural cellulose, are not treated with chlorine bleaches and are absolutely safe for the environment. Such disposable diapers are suitable for premature babies, babies with very sensitive skin and even asthmatics.

Well forgotten old

Your baby does not suffer from allergies or asthma, there seems to be no reason to choose special diapers. And yet, now many mothers choose fabric ones. Someone says that it is economical: “I hate to think how much money I will spend on disposable diapers until the baby is finally potty trained!” Some conservatives are convinced: “My mother wrapped me in diapers, and everything was fine. Why invent something new? Advocates of an eco-friendly lifestyle point out: “One diaper takes more than 200 years to decompose. The chemicals in diapers are harmful to my child.” If you decide to use reusable diapers, consider in advance how many pieces you will use per day. For example, for a baby from three to six months you will need at least 10-15 cloths per day. Some diapers come in the form of swaddles that are wrapped around the baby's tummy and secured with string or a safety pin. There are diapers with Velcro and snaps. For children from one to two years old, panty diapers with a thick fabric insert are more suitable. The fabric can also be different: gauze, flannelette, bamboo, wool... If you need “clothes” for walking, it is better to buy woolen pants or bamboo diapers with an additional insert. At home it is enough to get by with flannel. It is convenient to swaddle newborns in gauze diapers, which dry quickly after washing.

Whatever the diapers are, disposable or reusable, the most important thing is that your baby is as comfortable as possible in these “clothes”, and you are sure that you have chosen the best for your baby. Over several years of raising my children, I tried different options, from natural swaddling in bio-fabric to the simplest and cheapest disposable diapers. As a result, I learned how to combine diapers and found the “clothes” that are perfect for my children. As you know, a happy, confident mother raises healthy and joyful babies!

Oh, how much I heard about diapers in my time. This is just some kind of horror.

Mothers are generally a separate category of persons. As soon as a woman has a child, she becomes something else. She immediately begins to defend the interests of her child. From the first second. Oh, how hard it is to communicate with mothers, first for doctors in the maternity hospital, then for loved ones at home, and then the most difficult test begins - communicating with the same mothers in the yard. And if doctors and relatives usually take your side sooner or later, then outside mothers will definitely defend their position. Just because, like I said, they are moms, and they stand up!

One of the stumbling blocks is diapers, or pampers (although Pampers is just one of many companies that produce diapers; why some people combine all diapers under this brand is a mystery to me). There is also the eternal topic of contention - whether you breastfeed or formula feed. This can also become a topic of discussion in a raised voice. There is also a child's sleep - joint with parents or separate. Then the potty starts - pottying early or later. Then the topic of food is when and what complementary foods are best to introduce, eat together from one plate or give only baby food.

In general, if you already have a child, then you are all very familiar with this. Such conversations happen on any playground. And usually these conversations develop into arguments and resentments. I always find it funny when strangers They teach me how and what to feed my child and when to put him on the potty. No, to avoid conflict, I, of course, listen to everyone. But we still always do things our own way.

And if you don’t have a child yet, then my advice to you is don’t argue about these topics with your neighbors. You will often cross paths with them. And for some reason many mothers perceive these questions as a personal insult if you do something differently.

Well, this is all a digression from the topic. And the topic is about diapers.

Ask your moms: “What was it like without diapers before?” They may not remember some moments from your childhood, they may not even remember what vaccinations you received, but they will tell you in vivid colors about the gauze rags that they washed in a basin and hung to dry in the kitchen on clothespins. All women, generations of our mothers, know these stories. And all these stories are the same as a carbon copy. Everyone washed by hand, everyone was tired. And any of them will tell you: “Eh. If only there were diapers in our time. That would be great!”

And here you could relax and be glad that progress has come so far that now you can buy these same diapers and not bother yourself with washing and drying.

So no. Those same mothers appear who begin to defend. They defend their opinion that diapers are EVIL! Why? Well.... A lot of things.... And they provide scientific information that they draw from various sources. And if you don’t listen to what they say, you might even believe that diapers are harmful and even dangerous. Or you can listen. And think. And also read smart books. And figure out the situation yourself. And then it becomes clear that there are more benefits from diapers. But there is no evil at all.

Let's figure it out! I’ll say right away that I studied the issue of boys and diapers. In this regard, I have more information on boys.

Everything against diapers:

Testicles need cold, and diapers raise body temperature

Diapers lead to infertility in men

Diapers create a "greenhouse effect"

Fertility is impaired

Diapers affect sperm quality

I really like this pediatrician - Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky. All the conclusions he draws are, in my opinion, reasonable and absolutely correct. Therefore, I will cite here exactly his quotes, which convinced me at one time not to give up diapers and not to listen to those very mothers who give the opposite arguments.

Question: "The use of disposable diapers is a cause of male infertility."

Komarovsky’s answer: “Scientists claim that the use of diapers (and other types of disposable diapers) can lead to infertility in boys. Diapers contribute to an increase in temperature in the scrotum area, which harms the normal development of the testicles. It is known that in adult men, an increase in temperature prevents the production of full-fledged sperm.

Scientists attribute the increased number of cases of male infertility in the last 25 years entirely to the practice of using diapers.”

The first impression from such a quote is that the scientists who proved the harmfulness of diapers must be very rich people. After all, if it is possible to scientifically substantiate the fact that infertility in a particular male individual is caused precisely by wearing a diaper, then a huge amount of money can be sued from the manufacturing company. However, no one had ever heard of such a trial.

The fact is that the “scientists” mentioned in the above quote, as a rule, write somewhat differently. In any study, and there are very few such studies, the conclusions are very far from categorical. For example, German pediatricians (University of Kiel), based on a study of as many as 48 (!) children, publish in the journal “Archives of Disease in Childhood” the results of measuring the temperature of the scrotum and suggest that the use of diapers in boys may further affect the quality their sperm.

It is clear that for science the value of the conclusion “may have an effect” or “may not have an effect” is practically zero, but for newspapers such an assumption is quite sufficient. Well, isn’t it a sensation - it turns out that the number of infertile men is growing because of diapers!

And it (the number) is really growing. And there are enough reasons: a sedentary and mostly sedentary lifestyle; smoking, alcohol, drugs; excess household chemicals; binge eating; swallowing medications with or without reason, starting in childhood; specific diseases leading to infertility, sexually transmitted diseases or, for example, mumps (mumps); psycho-emotional stress both at home and at work; ecological situation.

The list is not complete, but sufficient. Who would be surprised if you write that sitting all day (at work, driving a car and at home in front of the TV) has excess weight and arguing with your wife and boss is bad for sperm quality? Nobody! But blaming diapers for all the troubles is much more interesting... After all, you can refuse disposable diapers, but where can you get away from your wife and boss.

Question: "Diapers affect sperm quality"

Komarovsky’s answer: “During the period of intrauterine development in a male fetus, the testicle is in abdominal cavity and descends into the scrotum only at the time of birth. Anatomically, the testicles of newborns are relatively large compared to adult males. The right testicle is slightly larger than the left, but as they grow, their mass evens out. Specific arithmetic parameters (this is information for fans of exact sciences) are: height 9-11 mm, width - 5-5.5 mm, thickness - up to 5 mm, weight 0.2-0.3 g.

The seminiferous tubules, through which the resulting sperm is released into the vas deferens, are not actually tubules in children of the first 7 years of life, because there is no lumen in them - solid cellular cords. The testicles contain special cells - Leydig cells. Their task is the production of male sex hormones - androgens and testosterone. In the first 7-8 years of life, Leydig cells actually “stand idle” - this is confirmed at least by the fact that the concentration of testosterone in the blood is very, very low, and the amount of androgens in the urine of a ten-year-old boy is the same as in a girl of the same age.

After seven years of life, a lumen appears in the seminiferous tubules, and sperm precursor cells begin to appear - the so-called spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Well, full-fledged, high-quality and active sperm can be detected no earlier than 10 years, and, as a rule, much later.

From the point of view of common sense, the information provided is quite enough to convince us that the claims that diapers affect the quality of sperm are unfounded - how can you influence something that does not exist in principle before the age of seven?”

Question: "testicles need cold, and diapers increase body temperature"

Komarovsky’s answer: “Indeed, there are a number of studies proving that exposure of the scrotum of an adult man to elevated temperature leads to a decrease in sperm activity. Let us immediately emphasize: we are not talking about infertility, i.e. a complete cessation of sperm movement, but only about a decrease in their activity. The essence of the study is this: adult volunteer heroes were immersed in water at a temperature of 45 ° C for 30 minutes. This procedure was carried out daily, and only after two weeks it was possible to detect a decrease in sperm activity. Try to draw conclusions from this experiment that the diaper is harmful. , maybe only a science fiction writer.

Specific figures, based on data from numerous measurement attempts, are as follows: when using gauze diapers, the scrotal temperature averages 34.9 ° C, and when using diapers - 36.0 ° C. We are not even talking about 45 °C. But that’s not even the point: after all, it is the temperature of the scrotum that is measured, and not the temperature of the testicle. And the difference here is very, very fundamental.

Between the testicle and the environment there are as many as 7 (seven!) membranes. The testicular artery, which carries blood to the scrotum, passes right in the middle of the powerful venous plexus, and this creates ideal conditions for heat transfer. Heating the skin of the scrotum is not a problem, but warming up (overheating) the testicles themselves is not an easy task: the compensatory capabilities of the heat regulation system are too great.

The last phrase is confirmed by numerous experiments studying sperm activity in residents of warm (very warm) countries, as well as in men who work at high ambient temperatures. All researchers come to the same conclusion: if the testicle is naturally normal, that is, if there are no anatomical defects, no increase in ambient temperature can prevent a person from successfully (effectively) engaging in procreation.

The temperature of the scrotum (I repeat once again: it is the scrotum, not the testicle) inside a disposable diaper is higher by 1 degree compared to a reusable one. So what of this? NOTHING. Why are we making noise? Unclear…".

Question: "diapers create a greenhouse effect"

Komarovsky’s answer: “Any newspaper article devoted to the harmfulness of disposable diapers for boys mentions a phenomenon called the “greenhouse effect.” The essence of this phenomenon, from the authors’ point of view, is that not only the temperature but also the humidity inside the diaper is higher. It is the combination of these two parameters and has a detrimental effect on the sexual health of the future man.

This is completely incomprehensible. It would seem that the point of using a disposable diaper is, first of all, to eliminate moisture, and this is what their benefits are based on. It is inside the diaper, thanks to the specific properties of the absorbent, that no increased humidity is observed: just the opposite - it (humidity) is lower, and the skin is drier, in comparison with reusable diapers. Again, a diaper, no matter how tightly it is fixed, is very far from being airtight, but what kind of greenhouse effect can there be if the humidity is lower and there is no airtightness? The question is, of course, rhetorical."

Question: "testicles need cold"

Komarovsky’s answer: “A unique phrase: “The testicles really need cold, elevated temperatures are contraindicated for them.” When you look at the end of the note, the author is definitely a woman. Where does this experience, these observations come from? I’m sure that if you ask a million men what their testicles need , no one will ask for cold...

Again the quote: “Men’s testicles love coolness, that’s why they are in the scrotum, and are pulled up only before ejaculation.” Next to it is a photograph of a young specialist journalist. Can a man dispute such a statement? Well, maybe just turn to the writers with a request: ask your loved one to take off his swimming trunks the moment he comes out after swimming in the river. You will be surprised to discover that the “cold-loving” testicles are pulled up not only before ejaculation..."

To summarize:

Diapers and boys are compatible, future fathers-in-law and mother-in-law can sleep peacefully, future mothers-in-law can not worry.

And a little about girls and diapers. Also quotes from Komarovsky: “In order to close the topic of the relationship between diapers and babies of a certain gender, we note that if “boys and diapers” is a mythical problem, then “girls and diapers” is a real one. Untimely changing of a diaper and (or) violation of the washing technique contributes to intestinal bacteria in the vagina and the occurrence of specific diseases. It is clear that the cause of these diseases is a violation of the rules of care, and the type of diaper is of no fundamental importance. The lack of a diaper is more difficult to detect the fact of “mocking”, the disadvantage of a reusable diaper is feces mixed with urine. has a more liquid consistency, infection occurs more easily."

I hope this information is useful to mothers.

TO physiological characteristics Newborns and infants include involuntary urination and defecation associated with the maturation of the neuromuscular regulation of the sphincters. Under normal conditions, the formation of voluntary contractions of the sphincters and the inhibition of natural secretions are possible only by 1.5–2 years. In this regard, from time immemorial, young mothers were forced to come up with various devices that helped them solve the most important problems - keeping the baby’s bottom dry and healthy, having a sufficient number of changes of underwear and the ability to keep this underwear dry and clean. Many centuries in different countries solutions were different and depended on climatic features, national and religious traditions. Thus, in the southern regions they tried to ensure that the genitals of babies were always open, which made it possible to dirty laundry less and, accordingly, do less washing. This was very convenient for constantly working women who had children almost every year. Everyone knows the famous Caucasian and Central Asian cradles. In the desert, children were given special half-open bags of sand, which absorbed moisture well. In the North, in conditions of cold, little water and nomadic life, pressed moss was traditionally used, which also absorbed moisture and, when overflowing, turned into a dense mass that easily separated from the baby’s skin. In the middle zone, various fabric materials called diapers were usually used. What was common to all types of fabrics was that they instantly became wet after the child’s first urination, regardless of the amount of urine. The skin immediately became damp. All these “rags” had to be washed and dried, which means: there either had to be a lot of them, or there had to be room for quick drying. If a child lay wet for even a short time, this could lead to chilling, skin irritation, not to mention unpleasant smell in room. Parents, and most often it was the mother, had to be constantly on alert, night and day, and be ready to immediately change clothes, wash the child and wash a whole heap of linen. In some periods, this problem became the most important in a woman’s life, for example: in winter there is a high risk of hypothermia, when it is necessary to take the child out of the house, or the laundry does not dry and there are not enough dry sets. Mothers who raised their children 20-30 years ago know hundreds of similar situations. The “predecessors” of modern disposable diapers first appeared in 1961 in the USA. Then they were intended for reusable use, they were made of a chemical impervious to moisture material, suction was carried out due to layers of fluffy cellulose. Since they were quite expensive, young parents often replaced cellulose with regular fabric. The industry quickly “responded” to this by launching the production of special disposable “inserts” for diapers. It gradually became clear that this device for caring for babies could become a “revolution of the 20th century”, which would radically change the ideology itself early education children. Scientists and industry joined forces, and the next 20 years were marked by important discoveries in the physics and chemistry of the absorption and maintenance of dry skin. In 1997, the results of an independent study of the quality of life of European women showed that the majority of them consider disposable diapers to be an invention whose importance in their lives cannot be overestimated. Disposable diapers came in second place among the inventions that changed women's lives in the post-war period, second only to electrical household appliances. Currently, disposable diapers dominate the entire world, and in developed countries they have no competitors at all. However, in developing countries there is also a “triumphant march” of disposable diapers, and their use is limited mainly by the financial capabilities of the family. In our country, the spread of disposable diapers is happening very quickly. This is facilitated by the equalization and improvement of the financial and economic condition of families. However, as often happens in our country, when any “Western innovation” is adopted, its spread is associated with a huge number of critical comments, up to absolutely categorical prohibitions. However, even a brief excursion into history convincingly shows that the wheel of progress cannot be stopped. Convenience and ease of use, saving the mother's time and effort, dryness, comfort and benefits for the baby still tip the scales towards disposable diapers. What is the role of the medical professional in this process? He must imagine the structural features of the baby’s skin in general and a specific child in particular, know the technology of “working” of diapers and imagine the features of each type of diapers, including those produced within the same company. He must know the methodology for caring for the baby when using a disposable diaper, and also have a good idea of what exactly the mother and the medical worker himself need to monitor, so as not to miss possible violations. Of course, this requires new knowledge and, possibly, a change in habitual ideas. Currently, disposable cloth diapers with pads made of fluff cellulose and polyethylene are practically not found. Modern diapers mainly consist of paper, the absorbent layer is a mixture of cellulose and superabsorbent crystals. The quality of “absorption” depends on the ratio of these components. With a significant predominance of cellulose, absorbency is the lowest, although these diapers are the cheapest. The creation of a superabsorbent used in the production of diapers was a truly revolutionary event, significantly increasing the efficiency of the “work” of the diaper. The superabsorbent used in diaper technology is a high molecular weight polyacrylic polymer that can swell (absorb) 50 times its weight, absorbing 6 times more liquid than dissolved cellulose or cotton. Diaper High Quality(premium) usually consists of six main elements. The inner layer that adheres to the baby's skin. It must have the following essential properties: be soft so as not to cause irritation by friction against the skin (preferably cotton softness), allow liquid to pass through well, but not allow the residual liquid of the middle layer to sweat back into the inner layer. Thus, the material must act as a one-way pump. The conductive and distribution layer is the thinnest layer of the diaper that absorbs moisture and distributes it over the entire surface so that it does not accumulate in one place. Thanks to this, there are no “lumps” of gel in the absorbent layer that disturb the child. The absorbent layer, which absorbs moisture from the conductive layer, retains it inside through a chemical reaction that turns the water into a gel. The amount of absorbent is not infinite, and at some point the diaper “overflows,” which can be felt with your hand as a significant heaviness, and this is the main signal that the diaper needs to be changed. If the diaper is not changed after being completely filled and the absorbent has been used, then it will then function like an impermeable cloth diaper and in this case all problems will arise. possible complications- , local temperature increase and greenhouse effect, compress effect. So adults are to blame for such consequences if they do not change their disposable diaper on time. Internal barriers that block fluid from escaping from the side of the diaper around the legs. It would seem that this is insignificant and decorative detail, however, it is also subject to many high-tech requirements: they must be, on the one hand, dense, on the other hand, not “cut into” the child’s leg and allow sufficient freedom of movement, i.e., be as elastic as possible. The quality of the internal barriers is important when selecting a diaper for a baby, since the ratio of “density” and “elasticity” varies depending on the type of diaper. If the quality is low, negative phenomena such as moisture leakage during the child’s movements, pinching or loose coverage of the hips, and excessive “tightness” in the genital area are possible. The outer covering of the diaper. It should not allow any remaining, unabsorbed liquid to pass through, but it should be porous. The latter is the greatest invention of our time - a porous fabric that allows air to pass through to the baby's skin, which creates an additional effect of evaporation and increased dryness. Mechanical fasteners. They can be disposable or reusable. Naturally, reusable, elastic fasteners are more attractive, as they allow you to refasten the same diaper more than once, if necessary. All diapers undergo mandatory toxicological testing, mutagenicity and genotoxicity tests. This determines their safety. Thus, even if the baby, while playing, took the diaper into his mouth, which children love to do, as long as the mother turns away, nothing dangerous to his health will happen, even if the absorbent gets into his mouth. Usually all diapers are natural white , and manufacturers most often do not use dyes. But still, those small designs that are applied to diapers, especially for older children - the second half of life, are also proven in terms of safety. Only natural and permanent dyes are used. No matter how much the baby sucks such a drawing, it does not wash off. In addition, the toxicity of dyes must undergo similar tests before their use, as indicated above. Diaper dermatitis and diapers Diaper dermatitis occurs in a humid environment, when the skin is irritated by friction of the material and is associated with a change in the pH of the environment due to the release of ammonium compounds from urine and feces. This promotes the growth of fungal flora, which is normally found in small quantities on the skin, as well as the activation of conditionally pathogenic flora - epidermal staphylococcus and Escherichia.coli, which leads to the manifestation of a directly infectious inflammatory reaction: hyperemia, papular rashes, cracks and erosions. Diaper dermatitis and its association with the wet diaper environment were first described in 1877, and since then there has been ongoing debate about what can be done to reduce the risk of its development. Falkner and Seligman in 1969 first published the results of a comparative study of the effect on the incidence of diaper dermatitis in children using disposable and reusable diapers. These were still the first fluff pulp diapers with a polyethylene coating. But even then, it was shown in a study of 550 infants that the incidence of diaper dermatitis when using disposable diapers was significantly lower than when using traditional reusable cloth diapers. The appearance of superabsorbent polymers in the inner layer of the diaper helped reduce the moisture content of the skin under the diaper by 6 times. Thanks to this innovation, the frequency of diaper dermatitis has decreased by 2–3 times compared to fabric ones. Reduced fluctuations in skin pH when using new “breathable” diapers reduced the incidence of severe cases of diaper dermatitis by another 50%, including in children prone to atopic disorders. In Russia, the only large comparative study of the skin condition of children using cloth and disposable diapers was conducted at the Research Institute of Pediatrics of the Scientific Center for Children of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. A total of 263 infants were studied who were sequentially wearing cloth and disposable diapers. A decrease in the incidence of diaper dermatitis has been shown. Thus, when using disposable diapers, moderate and severe forms of dermatitis were 6% less common, and mild forms - 12%. In addition, it was noted that the symptoms of dermatitis stopped faster in children who wore disposable diapers after cloth diapers. It should be noted that this study was conducted in 1999, when there were no breathable diapers in our country. However, in the population there are 5–10% of infants with special skin reactions, the cause of which is currently unclear. These children, despite using the best diapers and following all the rules for their use, still remain prone to developing diaper dermatitis, and in particular its most severe variants. These are children prone to common skin processes, atopy. Such children require special care, frequent changes and, if possible, even avoidance of disposable diapers. I would especially like to dwell on the use of disposable diapers in hospitals - maternity and maternity wards. Microbiological and epidemiological studies conducted in various Western clinics have shown that in hospitals, when several children are in the same room and when cloth diapers are used, there is a fairly rapid contamination by the microbial flora of feces of almost all objects around the child - his crib, linen, toys, which is quite quickly leads to cross-infection of children, since it is almost impossible to completely avoid contact between children. At the same time, the level of contamination of surrounding objects and cross-infection when using disposable diapers was more than 5 times lower. These data, as well as greater hygiene, less staff labor, savings on laundry and depreciation of linen, etc., led to the fact that even staunch opponents of disposable diapers recognized the advisability of their use in hospital settings (especially for infectious diseases). The most common misconceptions regarding disposable diapers The danger for boys is the risk of the “greenhouse effect”, male infertility. It is assumed that disposable diapers create an increased temperature, which negatively affects the maturation of the testicles and further spermatogenesis. Naturally, we are talking about future spermatogenesis, since it begins only during puberty. One possible proof of the above thesis was the statistical increase in male infertility in the 20th century. , which brought with it many technical innovations, which, along with environmental changes in the environment, undoubtedly had a certain impact on the human body. Among the many risk factors for increased male infertility, the use of disposable diapers was named. However, taking into account the fact that the study on this problem was carried out in the USA, and disposable diapers have been used almost exclusively when caring for children in the first year of life since the middle of the century, the mathematical significance of this fact as a risk factor is minimal. It is believed that a disposable diaper creates more heat, which acts on the child’s genitals like a “greenhouse effect”, affecting blood flow in the testicles, on the one hand (long-term pathological effect) and creating the necessary environment for the development of bacteria and the formation of diaper dermatitis, on the other. As mentioned above, work is constantly being done in this direction to improve the “quality of dryness”, which largely determines and temperature regime inside the diaper. Diapers of the latest series must undergo testing - the temperature in the genital area is determined at the time of putting on the diaper and when it is filled, as well as when it is overfilled. At first, when putting on a diaper, the temperature does not differ from the temperature of the rest of the body. After 2–3 hours, when the diaper is filled, the temperature in the genital area increases on average by tenths of a degree, which, according to all researchers, is quite acceptable and cannot cause a “greenhouse effect.” However, if the diaper is not changed for a long time, the temperature in the genital area increases geometrically over time. Excessive pressure on the genitals. Of course, it is necessary to select diapers in accordance with the size, structure and age of the child. In addition, the great achievement of the developers of modern diapers is that they pay Special attention not only the fundamental components of diapers - softness, dryness, air exchange, but also have special requirements for its convenience. The child should not be restricted in his movements, so modern diapers fit the baby according to his figure, including thanks to the presence of special Velcro and protective cuffs that wrap around the leg. The use of stretch materials that change according to the baby's movement, together with parental attention and education, significantly reduces the risk of increased genital compression. It would also be worth noting that tight swaddling, still practiced in a number of regions (sometimes on the advice of doctors), tight wrapping in reusable diaper lead not to less, but to more compression of the genital organs. Issues of genital compression are directly related to the risk of child masturbation, which allegedly increases when using disposable diapers. When using disposable diapers, girls are more likely to develop. The fact is absolutely unproven, with a difficult-to-define relationship, since synechiae are formed as a result of excessive friction of the mucous membrane of the labia minora and around the vagina, on the one hand, and due to a deficiency of estrogen hormones, on the other. However, in recent years, the incidence of synechiae has increased significantly throughout the world, and now they occur in almost every fifth girl. This increase in pathology is certainly alarming. The conclusion is that changes in the care system and the use of new products (disposable diapers) may be the cause of such negative changes. Confirms the minimal importance of disposable diapers in the genesis of what synechiae looks like in girls and how it should be. Treatment and care for fusion of the labia in girls (information about the disease), in particular, the fact that if you start treating synechiae and continue to use diapers, the frequency of complete cure will not differ from this indicator in cases where diapers are abandoned at all. In addition, synechiae can recur in children whose parents have not used diapers for a long time and follow all hygiene rules. The use of disposable diapers leads to an increase in vulvitis and is a risk factor for the development of lower urinary tract infections, as well as balanitis in boys. In recent years, the prevalence of these infections has clearly increased, and most often they are asymptomatic. The reason for the development of infection may be the same friction on the surface of the diaper, which means that there cannot be much difference in terms of the frequency of infection when using a reusable and disposable diaper. Thus, the risk of developing infection exists in the absence of proper care, and also if you do not pay due attention to the selection of a diaper and monitoring the condition of the genitals. Children who are constantly in disposable diapers have a harder time identifying their gender. At the age of 6–7 months, boys begin to touch and fiddle with their genitals. Some parents are afraid of this, believing that such games are unhealthy and this interest can become detrimental. However, it is not. The child perceives his genitals as another unknown part of the body. Gender identification is genetically determined and is largely determined by the environment, parental behavior, relationships with peers, etc. Thus, the child must spend some time naked, touching and feeling himself. Therefore, no matter what diapers the baby is wearing - disposable or reusable - parents should leave him undressed for a while. In addition, air baths are essential for healthy skin. However, this has nothing to do with what diapers the child should spend the remaining time in. The diaper contributes to the curvature of the legs. This is not true. On the contrary, disposable diapers ensure this position of the hip joints infant, which is similar to the position with the so-called “free” swaddling (it is widely promoted by pediatricians all over the world, including many Russian pediatricians). Babies wearing disposable diapers are potty trained later. There is nothing to object to here - this is reality. The reason for this is the main property of diapers - they provide dryness. In disposable diapers, the child remains dry after urination and does not experience discomfort. Therefore, it is more difficult for him to compare the sensations that arise before urination, during urination and the subsequent unpleasant sensations associated with this. Based on this, children wearing disposable diapers are potty trained more consciously than reflexively. Medical workers should be aware of the peculiarities of potty training a child who is accustomed to disposable diapers, and instruct parents. You should focus on developing hygiene skills only in the second half of the second year. Thus, we can hardly talk about the significant harm of disposable diapers for a child. Based on the financial capabilities of the family, parents must choose which diapers to use and for how long during the day. Doctors are called upon to help in the selection of diapers, teach how to care for the baby’s skin and introduce them to methods of their proper use. E. S. Keshishyan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Moscow Research Institute of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Moscow

Thanks to diapers, caring for newborn babies has become much easier. Now mothers do not need to waste valuable time on endless laundry. But since disposable diapers have become widely popular, there has been ongoing debate about their harm to babies.

In this article we will look at which of the pros and cons are true, and which are nothing more than a myth.

Disposable diapers: benefits and harms

Today, the variety of diapers on the shelves is simply surprising: you can find both budget and “elite” models. These hygiene products are available for both newborns and older children. There are even panty diapers, especially convenient for potty training babies.

All diapers are required to undergo many checks and tests. Products made from low-quality materials simply would not be allowed for sale. Therefore, any harm to the child can only be caused misuse diapers.

There really are cases of irritation after wearing diapers. But basically, these phenomena occur if you do not remove the diaper for a long enough time - more than 8 hours.

Disposable diapers are designed for 3-5 hours for daytime, 6-8 for nighttime.

Sometimes on packages of diapers you can find the mark “up to 12 hours”. This duration of wearing may only be acceptable for children over 1 year of age.

Another thing against disposable diapers is their price. But once you calculate how much money will be spent on a huge number of onesies and diapers, it becomes clear that buying diapers is not such an unaffordable expense.

Myths about disposable diapers

We have selected a refutation for each of the myths that opponents of diapers often use.

Interesting! How to prepare a room for a newborn

1 Nappies are healthier than nappies. The main task of diapers is to absorb moisture well, reducing its impact on children's skin. The fabric remains wet, and the baby’s skin is in contact with the wet surface until the diaper is changed. The likelihood that diaper rash will begin to form on the baby's bottom is greater in the case of diapers. Moreover, powders and creams will save you from such irritations only temporarily.

2 A child’s legs become crooked in diapers. Of course, diapers cannot in any way affect the slimness of a baby’s legs. After all, the diapers are made of very soft material, and their design is designed so as not to interfere with the child’s positioning of his legs correctly.

3 Having difficulties with potty training. Difficulties with potty sitting are rarely associated specifically with diapers.

4 The dangers of diapers for boys. It is believed that boys wearing diapers for a long time has a negative impact on their reproductive function in future. Usually these disorders are associated with overheating of the scrotum, which occurs in diapers. But modern pediatricians have every reason to say that changes in the functioning of the reproductive system cannot be caused directly by diapers.

Firstly, the increase in temperature when wearing diapers is quite insignificant - about 0.5 degrees. Secondly, in boys, the opening of the seminal canals occurs no earlier than 7 years. Until this time, the germ cells in the testicles do not perform any functions, being in “standby mode”. Accordingly, the argument about negative impact diapers for man's health can be questioned.

How to use diapers correctly?

No matter how comfortable diapers are, a child should not wear them all the time. Every day you need to organize sun and air baths for your baby. It is recommended to leave the child naked for at least several hours a day - this is an important condition for his comfort.

Interesting! Child development at 3 months of life

Many mothers are concerned about the age at which a baby can wear diapers. It is impossible to name a specific age; it all depends on the individual qualities of the baby. The optimal time to give up diapers will be the period when you start potty training your child - 1.2-1.6 years. After this age, it is better to use diapers only in emergency cases, for example, when going to the doctor or visiting. There are cases when wearing diapers should be limited or eliminated altogether:

The child was born premature. Premature babies have a constantly high temperature - up to 37.4 degrees. Until the baby regains the balance of heat production and loss, it is better to do without diapers.
Diapers are not used during periods of colds or other illnesses when the baby has a fever.
The child has skin diseases: dermatitis or eczema.
In the summer, during extreme heat, you should discard the diaper due to the likelihood of overheating.

So, it turned out that diapers do not pose any danger to babies. But only if parents have read all the rules for using these hygiene products. Do not believe dubious recommendations, listen to the advice of your pediatrician, and your baby’s health will be the strongest.

In this article we will look at which of the pros and cons are true, and which are nothing more than a myth.

Disposable diapers: benefits and harms

There really are cases of irritation after wearing diapers. But basically, these phenomena occur if you do not remove the diaper for a long enough time - more than 8 hours.

Disposable diapers are designed for 3-5 hours for daytime, 6-8 for nighttime.

Sometimes on packages of diapers you can find the mark “up to 12 hours”. This duration of wearing may only be acceptable for children over 1 year of age.

Myths about disposable diapers

We have selected a refutation for each of the myths that opponents of diapers often use.

Interesting! Child development at 3 months of life

3 Having difficulties with potty training. Difficulties with potty sitting are rarely associated specifically with diapers.

4 The dangers of diapers for boys. It is believed that prolonged wearing of diapers by boys negatively affects their reproductive function in the future. Usually these disorders are associated with overheating of the scrotum, which occurs in diapers. But modern pediatricians have every reason to say that changes in the functioning of the reproductive system cannot be caused directly by diapers.

Firstly, the increase in temperature when wearing diapers is quite insignificant - about 0.5 degrees. Secondly, in boys, the opening of the seminal canals occurs no earlier than 7 years. Until this time, the germ cells in the testicles do not perform any functions, being in “standby mode”. Accordingly, the argument about the negative impact of diapers on men's health can be questioned.

How to use diapers correctly?

Interesting! Proper development of a child at 8 months

The child was born premature. Premature babies have a constantly high temperature - up to 37.4 degrees. Until the baby regains the balance of heat production and loss, it is better to do without diapers.
Diapers are not used during periods of colds or other illnesses when the baby has a fever.
The child has skin diseases: dermatitis or eczema.
In the summer, during extreme heat, you should discard the diaper due to the likelihood of overheating.