Diapers without Chemicals - Alternatives for Healthy Baby Skin

Photo by @isabelplett

 

At first, when shopping for an upcoming baby, parents typically pay meticulous attention to materials and contents of products. Clothing made of cotton, wool, or silk, creams without silicone or fragrances, sensitive detergents for delicate baby skin, and much more. Everything that comes into contact with the baby's tender skin is thoroughly analyzed. Except when it comes to diapers. They should hold up well, fit comfortably, and be easy to change. However, many parents are unaware that disposable diapers are full of chemicals.

Are there diapers without chemicals? Yes, cloth diapers come entirely without chemicals and also have the best ecological balance. Alternatives such as eco or organic diapers only partially meet these criteria.

Are you wondering what disposable diapers are actually made of? Below, we analyze what they contain and what it means for your baby's skin. We also introduce you to a chemical-free, healthy, and simple alternative.

Chemicals in Diapers - What’s Inside Those Popular Disposable Diapers

Perhaps you’ve noticed it yourself: New disposable diapers already have a noticeable chemical smell before use. Once the first urine hits the diaper, this smell intensifies. Some manufacturers hide lotions and fragrances in their diapers to mask the chemical smell. Mineral oils like Paraffinum Liquidum are also present in every disposable diaper.

When it comes to creams, lotions, and shampoos, parents are extremely careful about the ingredients. However, many are unaware that disposable diapers contain the very ingredients they are so desperate to avoid elsewhere.

Let's take a closer look at the structure of disposable diapers. How do they manage to absorb large amounts of liquid without leaking? Where are the harmful chemicals hidden in the diapers and what can these mean for your baby's skin?

The Structure of the Diaper - From the Outer Shell to the Superabsorbent Polymers

A disposable diaper consists of a backsheet and an absorbent core. The outer shell is made of polyethylene, a thermoplastic plastic. It serves as a moisture barrier to prevent the diaper from leaking. However, the material is not very breathable and prevents air circulation in the diaper (source).

Inside the diaper is the absorbent core. It consists of cellulose material like waterproof fleece and protective films made of polypropylene and polyethylene. It is also equipped with several layers of superabsorbent polymers . Perhaps you have heard of the term superabsorbent polymers before? These polymer salts can absorb an amount of liquid several times their own volume.

The tiny millimeter-sized granules expand immediately upon contact with urine, creating a type of hydrogel . Surely you’ve noticed how soft and gel-like a full disposable diaper feels. Although this property is very advantageous, there is a major drawback: Super absorbers are pure chemicals. They are made of polymers, which in turn are made of compounds of polyacrylic acids .

Other components of disposable diapers can include:

• Copolymer of acrylic acid
• Petroleum jelly
• Stearyl alcohol
• Liquid paraffins
• Extracts of Aloe Barbadensis
• Synthetic rubber

Considering that these diapers are designed for long changing intervals and a child usually spends several hours in the same diaper, it becomes clear that this cannot be healthy for the skin (source).

In the warm, humid climate of the disposable diaper, the baby's skin becomes soft and more permeable to external influences, such as the lotion present on the disposable diapers. This lotion is mostly made of substances that have no business being on a baby's bottom (source). Also, dyes are not uncommon in disposable diapers. You can recognize these by the colored inner lining of the diapers.

Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash

Are Diapers with Chemicals Harmful to Your Baby?

In a test, a French agency found that up to 38 dangerous chemicals were present in disposable diapers. However, the European Commission rejected the demands for restrictions on the use of chemicals in disposable diapers that were made as a result.

Below, we summarize the problems that can arise from using diapers with chemicals:

Drying Out the Skin

As previously mentioned, the job of the superabsorbent polymers is to absorb liquids within seconds. This applies, of course, to all liquids. Thus, they are pre-programmed to dry out of the skin and mucous membranes.

 

Damage to Natural Barriers

Through this, the manufacturers cause your baby to be dry for hours on end, leading to longer time periods between changes. Babies often spend many hours in the same diaper. The resulting warm and moist climate softens the skin, making it susceptible to bacteria. Without the natural protective barrier, this quickly leads to redness and rashes (source).

No Recovery for the Skin

Even if the child is changed frequently, the skin gets no recovery time because a new disposable diaper is immediately put on. As a result, the child often wears a diaper 24/7, leaving no time for the skin to breathe and regenerate.

No Wetness Feedback

Disposable diapers keep your child’s intimate area permanently dry. When your baby urinates in the diaper, it only notices it for a fraction of a second at most. Your child therefore does not get any wetness feedback, which can prolong the time it takes to eventually become potty trained.

Sore Bottom and Diaper Rash

All these factors contribute to skin irritations and the development of diaper rash. Typical reasons for a sore bottom are:

• Poor/no air circulation
• Reaction to the chemicals in the diaper
• Wearing the diaper for too long

Disposable diapers are designed to be convenient for parents: They do not leak, feel dry even when full, require infrequent changes, and unpleasant odors are masked by artificial fragrances. The result is the classic sore bottom and rash, up to the so-called ammonia diaper rash.

Environmental Impact: How Harmful Are Disposable Diapers to Our Planet?

Apart from the effects on children's skin, disposable diapers are also frequently criticized regarding their environmental impact and sustainability. A large proportion of the materials they contain are difficult to break down. Before a child is potty trained, they will use 5000 diapers on average. That corresponds to 1000 kg, i.e., one tonne of diaper waste per child. It takes a single diaper 500 years to decompose. And even then, microplastics remain, which harm our planet in the long term.

The absorbent core of the disposable diaper, the so-called superabsorbent polymer, is almost always based on petroleum, which is problematic for the environment for several reasons as it directly contributes to global warming.

According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, 95% of all children are still diapered with disposable diapers. In Germany alone, this results in almost 740,000 tons of diaper waste in a single birth cohort. Due to a lack of recycling methods, diaper waste is burned in the waste incineration plant along with the remaining residual waste. However, due to the various chemical components, the diapers do not burn completely, and a small residue is disposed of as hazardous special waste .

In another article, we provide you with more information and show you that cloth diapers are more sustainable than disposable diapers.

A Mother's Perspective

When my first child was born, using disposable diapers was never an option. Due to my work in a kindergarten, I was aware of all the disadvantages of disposable diapers. The full extent only dawned on me when I had children of my own. My son was diapered with cloth diapers and never had a red bottom, diaper rash, or any other issues. Additionally, he was potty trained with cloth diapers significantly earlier than the other children in our circle of friends.

The issue of diaper smell also only became apparent to me later. When my son was about a year old, we had a child of the same age visiting who was wearing disposable diapers. On entering the house, my husband immediately asked what the unpleasant smell was. He kept asking if one of the children had a full diaper. It turned out that he instantly noticed the smell of the disposable diaper and once it came into contact with urine, the odor became unbearable for him. The child was not changed during the entire visit, as the superabsorbent polymers left the child feeling dry and the diaper wasn't full yet.

Another example was an exploded disposable diaper - yes, that can happen. The diaper change was delayed too long, a full diaper and a lot of movement caused the protective layer around the absorbent core to tear and the intimate area of the little girl was covered with the soaked granules of the super absorber. The result was a severe rash.

What Is the Alternative? Are There Diapers Without Chemicals?

In terms of disposable diapers, there is still no completely satisfactory alternative. Many parents consider eco and organic diapers to be a good alternative. Depending on the manufacturer, these consist of up to 85% renewable raw materials. However, these are not 100% biodegradable and still contain chemicals.

In today’s market, there are already diapers that are almost entirely biodegradable or compostable . The absorbent core of these diapers is not based on petroleum but on potato starch. The outer shell is also easily degradable, as it is made from a corn-based material. Only the closure is still based on petroleum.

The drawback of these alternatives is also the price: Compostable diapers are often three to four times more expensive than regular diapers. Additionally, due to the absence of chemicals and plastics, they cannot match the absorbent performance of conventional disposable diapers.

However, we can present you with an alternative completely free of plastic and chemicals: Cloth diapers. How easy it can be to use cloth diapers and what you need to consider in handling them, we will show you below.

Photo by @isabelplett

Cloth Diapers: Healthy Diapers Free From Chemicals

If you want to avoid chemicals and plastic and protect your baby's skin, cloth diapers are the best option. Nowadays, there are various reusable options, so that everyone can find a diaper that's right for their baby.

The reusable cloth diapers are entirely free from chemical ingredients, so your baby's skin will be neither irritated by mineral oils nor by fragrances. Instead of the super absorber and its film coating, your baby's bottom comes into contact only with soft, cozy fabric. Unlike disposable diapers, the skin can breathe well through the fabric, resulting in a significantly better diaper environment compared to disposable diapers.

Many diapering problems can be avoided with cloth diapers. Rashes and recurring diaper dermatitis are much less common.

You're probably wondering now if using cloth diapers is straightforward. And then there's the elaborate washing process. But here we can reassure you, modern cloth diapers are no longer comparable to those from grandma's times. We at Judes have developed a cloth diaper that is just as easy to use as a disposable diaper.

Judes Cloth Diapers - As Simple as Disposable Diapers

At Judes, we have set the goal that our diapers are as simple as they are sustainable . Our diapers are free of chemicals and every detail is well thought out.

How Do Judes Work?

Basically, the diapering process with Judes is exactly the same as with disposable diapers. Used diaper off, new diaper on, the steps are the same. The only difference is that the used diaper does not go into the trash but into the so-called wet bag.

You can think of the wet bag as a kind of laundry net . It ensures that the smell of used diapers does not spread. It is odor-proof and yet breathable. The latter is important because: The more oxygen gets to the diapers, the less ammonia can form. This can otherwise damage your cloth diapers over time and even cause skin irritation.

Our wet bags are designed to make the washing process simple and hygienic . You simply open the zipper at the bottom of the bag and put the bag in the washing machine. Through the rotation of the drum, the diapers fall out of the bag by themselves and do not need to be taken out individually by you.

The structure of the diaper is also quickly and easily explained: The inner diaper is made of 100% organic cotton and is very absorbent. User experiences show that the diaper can hold up to 12 hours and can easily compete with conventional disposable diapers. And all this without chemicals.

The inner diaper is surrounded by our stylish outer diaper. This forms the moisture barrier and ensures that your child’s excretions remain in the diaper. It is made of 100% recycled PUL (PUL stands for polyurethane laminated and is the layer that creates the water barrier) and perfectly adapts to your child’s movements.

When changing the diaper, you usually only put the inner diaper in the laundry. As long as the outer diaper has not come into contact with stool or urine, you can air it out and reuse it.

You can pre-separate solid stool with our Poo Paper - so it does not end up in the washing machine. By using this thin paper, we make it especially easy for you: When the diaper is full, you put the paper along with the stool directly into the trash can, and the rest of the diaper goes into the laundry or the wet bag as usual.

For What Age Are Judes Suitable?

Here too, the system of our cloth diapers is well thought out because our chemical-free diapers can accompany your child throughout the entire diapering period. For this, you have two sizes available:

• Size 1: Our newborn size fits your baby from birth up to a weight of 7.5 kg.
• Size 2: Fits your child from 7.5 kg to 15 kg.

Thanks to the Velcro fastener, the cloth diapers are infinitely adjustable and can thus be perfectly adapted to the child’s body shape. The flexible and stretchable leg cuffs of the diaper ensure a perfect fit without restricting freedom of movement.

Does the Bulky Diaper Bottom Restrict Movement?

This prejudice persists, although it has been disproved many times. We use an innovative and particularly thin fabric for our inner diaper. Up to twelve layers of the fabric are laid on top of each other, providing enormous absorbency. Additionally, the outer cover perfectly adapts to your child's body and movements. Compared to other cloth diapers, Judes make a significantly slimmer diaper bottom, allowing all of your child's movements.

Children with cloth diapers learn at their own pace just like all other children. Whether disposable or reusable diapers, it doesn’t matter here. For example, despite wearing cloth diapers, my son was walking freely and confidently at 10 months old. My daughter walked later but loved climbing from an early age. I never felt that the diaper restricted either of them.

Photo by @olivia_greige

Diapers Without Any Chemicals: The Advantages of Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers in direct comparison with disposable diapers. Cloth diapers offer the following advantages:

Protection of the Skin

Clearly, chemical-free diapers protect your baby's skin. They are also significantly more breathable, preventing unwanted skin reactions. The natural protective barrier of the skin can regenerate itself and doesn't require support from creams or ointments.

Perception of Wetness Feedback

As already mentioned, the super absorbers in disposable diapers prevent your child from feeling the wetness when urinating. This natural bio-feedback is important for the potty training process. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, provide your child with the necessary wetness feedback. Your child feels when they have wet the diaper and can communicate this. The if-then relationship created by the wetness feedback helps your child understand the sequence of action and result, and this is why cloth diapered children become potty trained significantly earlier than children who wear disposable diapers.

Cloth Diapers Are Cheaper Than Disposable Diapers

Although the initial purchase costs may seem daunting, cloth diapers are the more economical option over the entire diapering period. Even when you include the costs of washing and drying, you will still be below the costs incurred for disposable diapers. Additionally, cloth diapers can be passed on to the next child. A good cloth diaper can even last up to four diapering periods. If no more children are planned, used cloth diapers can also be easily resold at good prices.

In our comparison between cloth diapers and disposable diapers, we have considered all factors and compared the costs.

Eco-Friendly

Since reusable diapers, unlike disposable diapers, are not thrown away immediately after use, you can avoid a lot of waste by using cloth diapers. Even wet wipes can easily be replaced by our soft washcloths.

No Unpleasant Odors

Chemical-free diapers smell less. While they ensure that urine is quickly absorbed and the diaper remains leak-proof, they don't cause unpleasant odors. If you store used disposable diapers in a diaper pail, you'll notice a strong smell after a short time. With cloth diapers, you avoid this problem. With the proper storage, no unpleasant odors arise until the next wash - and you can wait a good three to four days between washes. In terms of absorbency, you won't experience any disadvantages either, as cloth diapers absorb urine and liquid stool even better than disposable diapers. Consequently, they remain leak-proof even with heavy wetters and liquid stool.

I am always surprised at how odor-neutral cloth diapers are. The occasions when my elimination communication children had stool in the diaper were extremely rare. And if it did happen, I simply didn't smell it. Not even when the child sat on my lap with a full diaper.

Healthy Posture

Cloth diapers are fundamentally a bit wider in the crotch than disposable diapers. This slight spreading of the legs encourages healthy hip development. Here you can read about the reasons and benefits of wide swaddling.

Rarely Leaking Diapers

The design of our cloth diapers ensures that leaks are avoided. Well-fitting leg cuffs and an additional back elastic provide perfect protection, even with runny breastfed stool. Here we explain in detail why Judes are better at preventing leaks than disposable diapers.

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Strong Ecological Balance with Chemical-Free Diapers

According to a study from 2021, there is no better ecological decision than using cloth diapers. However, even with cloth diapers, a poor ecological balance can be achieved if mistakes are made in their use. Below, we show you what to consider if you want to maximally protect the environment:

1. Cloth diapers should be used for as long as possible and ideally passed on to other children. High-quality diapers can be used by up to four children.
2. Make sure to fully load the washing machine before starting it. This can be achieved with an advantageous diapering rhythm – however, cloth diapers should be washed by the fourth day at the latest. Additionally, you can add other laundry to the diaper wash to fill the machine. Towels and bed linens are particularly suitable for this.
3. Use an eco-friendly detergent. However, make sure that your detergent still contains all the components to wash your diapers gently and hygienically. Here you will find instructions on how to wash cloth diapers hygienically.
4. Air dry the diapers. Using a dryer automatically worsens the ecological balance.
5. Focus on adjustable sizes. After the newborn size, the next size should suffice for the rest of the diapering period. Stretchable cuffs and an individually adjustable closure ensure a good fit.
6. Wash your laundry below 60°C. Here we come to a dilemma because: Ecologically sensible does not necessarily mean hygienically sensible. For the best hygiene, you should therefore regularly wash your diapers at 60°C.

Photo by @isabelplett

Choose Judes and Say Goodbye to Chemical Diapers

With disposable diapers, you are doing no favor to your baby's skin or the environment. Both the absorbent core and the outer shell are made entirely of plastic and chemicals. This combination often leads to irritated and sensitive skin. When a baby is born, parents strictly check the ingredients of various creams, lotions, or shampoos. A shift is also slowly happening in the use of disposable diapers.

Alternatives like eco and organic diapers increasingly avoid chemicals and plastics in their production - but none are 100% biodegradable and free of chemicals and petroleum. Research might soon produce compostable diapers made of 100% degradable materials. But then we face the next problem: Where should such large quantities of diapers be composted? The normal garden compost would overflow in a few days, not to mention the smell. Large central composting sites could be an option, but they are not foreseeable at this time. Disposable diapers are continuously contributing to the overfilling of our planet.

Cloth diapers offer the solution to both problems. They entirely avoid the use of chemicals. Although some plastic parts are unavoidable, at Judes, we use 100% recycled PUL in the production of our cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are durable and can be passed on to the next children once the diapering period is over. A single cloth diaper can be in use for a good 10 years, while a disposable diaper ends up in the trash after just a few hours. Properly used, cloth diapers show a significantly better ecological balance and protect our planet in both manufacture and use.

And for your baby's skin, non-toxic diapers are the better choice. Natural fabrics like cotton provide a pleasantly soft feeling, comparable to disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are breathable, thus protecting your baby's skin. While they may not match the superabsorbent polymers completely, cloth diapers are also extremely absorbent and can be worn for extended periods. Just like with disposable diapers, night-time diaper changes aren't necessary as they hold up for up to 12 hours.

Using cloth diapers is just as simple as using disposable diapers. We avoid complex diapering systems and have instead developed a diaper system that makes switching to cloth diapers a breeze.