When mom's due date approaches, it's time to stock up on diapering supplies. Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers is a personal choice. Both have advantages, so you may want to try each kind. You might even wind up using a combination as your child grows. Here's some information to get you started.Cloth baby diapers
Come in cotton, terry, or flannel.
Can be purchased pre-folded or unfolded.
Fasten with safety pins, Velcro, or special diaper covers.
Must be changed promptly when soiled to prevent irritation.
Must be rinsed and then machine-washed in hot water.
Can be used with disposable diaper liners for easier cleanup.
Many parents prefer cloth baby diapers, especially for everyday use at home, because they are more economical in the long run than disposable baby diapers. Some parents use the savings to hire baby diaper-cleaning services—companies that pick up soiled baby diapers and drop off a fresh supply of clean, folded ones. Some parents opt for cloth diapers for environmental reasons. A baby may go through upward of 5,000 diapers before potty training, and using cloth diapers cuts down on landfill waste. Even parents who use disposable diapers often keep some cloth diapers on hand because they double as burp cloths and versatile towels. Popular brands of cloth diapers include Kushies, Kissaluvs, Bumkins, Motherease, Wonderoos, Fuzzi Bunz, and Little Lambs. Disposable baby diapers
Fasten with tape or Velcro strips.
Are thrown away when soiled.
Are typically used by daycare centers.
Help prevent diaper rash and irritation by drawing wetness into a gel layer, keeping it away from the skin.
Though more expensive than cloth baby diapers in the long run, it's hard to beat the convenience of disposable baby diapers, especially when traveling. Popular disposable diaper brands include Pampers and Huggies. Swim diapers
For the pool or beach, both reusable and disposable swim diapers prevent leaks while babies play in the water. Many swimming facilities require that babies wear swim diapers to protect others.