Many mothers are concerned about the health of their babies and don’t know what to choose: or disposable “diapers”? There are many arguments for both the naturalness and safety of some, and the ease of use of others. To solve this issue, you need to find out what modern gauze diapers are. You will learn about the pros, cons and features of the products from this article.
Features of gauze diapers
Gauze diapers have been known since the times of our mothers and grandmothers. They have been replaced by disposable products, which are designed to make life much easier for young parents. But are they safe for the health of babies? Today there is a lot of debate about the dangers of “diapers”. You can find arguments both for and against. Supporters healthy image life and environmentalists are critical of disposable “helpers”, considering them the cause of allergies, dermatitis and infections of the genitourinary system. Many modern mothers are returning to proven methods of care, choosing gauze diapers. Meanwhile, modern products bear little resemblance to “grandmother’s” diapers. Manufacturers offer entire sets with waterproof panties and gauze inserts, which not only make caring for a child easier, but also take care of his health.
How to make a diaper yourself?
Gauze diapers are pieces of fabric in the shape of a triangle, square or rectangle, folded in several layers. The edges of the material can be overcast or stitched sewing machine so that the product does not unravel and retains its shape after repeated washing. The seam should be smooth and soft so as not to rub delicate skin. The sizes depend on the age and size of the child, for example, gauze diapers for newborns are usually sewn from a cut of 60 by 90 or 100 cm. For infants or children from 3 months and older, the sizes may vary depending on the folding technique.
Diaper folding methods
- "Scarf." Fold the square piece of gauze diagonally to form a triangle. We wrap one of the corners of the fabric between the baby’s legs towards the navel, and wrap the rest around the waist, securing it with a knot on the stomach
- Rectangle. We fold a 60 by 100 cm cloth in half and form “panties”: we fold one edge of the napkin in several layers, and pass the second between the legs. We secure the diaper with a thin diaper or an elastic belt with an elastic band.
- Hungarian. Fold the gauze napkin twice, forming a square. Pull the upper left corner to the right, forming a scarf. We turn the product over and from the free edge we form a compacted center that will pass between the baby’s legs
Despite the apparent complexity, rolling up a gauze diaper is not difficult. Today there are a lot of video lessons and instructions that explain each movement step by step. After trying it a couple of times, you will learn how to roll such structures with your eyes closed.
How often to change?
Gauze, like any other diapers, must be changed promptly, after each wetness. If basic hygiene is observed, they can be used constantly, without the risk of allergies, diaper rash or the “greenhouse effect”. Gauze does not interfere with skin “breathing”, is easy to wash and dries quickly.
Differences between gauze diapers and regular diapers
Pros:
- Economic benefit. The cost of such diapers is significantly lower than that of the most budget diapers. Products can be used many times
- Naturalness. Hypoallergenic cotton material is absolutely harmless and does not cause irritation or rash, unlike industrial products with chemical absorbents
- "Breathable." Soft skin The child does not yet have its own thermoregulatory protection and needs natural ventilation. Natural cotton allows free air flow and helps remove fumes and accumulated toxins.
- Ideal for newborns. The soft material will not chafe in the navel area, and the natural fibers will not cause allergies or irritation.
- Urinary control. Promotes early planting and helps potty training
Minuses:
- Not suitable for long walks and travel. Unlike the usual gauze diapers have less absorbency, since they do not contain helium absorbents, which means they will have to be changed much more often
- Inability to use at night. Wet diapers cause irritability and discomfort; the baby will often wake up and cry. In addition, prolonged contact with urine can cause diaper rash.
- Tiring laundry, which young parents often don’t have time for
How to choose gauze diapers?
Today, in many online stores you can order ready-made gauze diapers made using the natural swaddling system. For greater convenience, manufacturers provide products with special Velcro and fasteners. A set of knitted or flannel panties with gauze pads protects against leaks no worse than regular diapers. When choosing natural diapers, you need to pay attention to the following details:
- Material. Although diapers are called gauze, they are often made of denser materials: flannel, flannel or cotton.
- Fixation. For newborns, oversized gauze products with ties are suitable; they can be precisely “tailored” to the baby’s figure. Models with Velcro and snaps are convenient for infants and children learning to stand up
- Protective layer. Pants made of microfiber, wool or jersey with water-repellent impregnation will prevent leakage
conclusions
When choosing between gauze diapers and “diapers”, it is necessary to take into account both concern for the baby’s health and the mother’s need for rest. You need to remember expediency and not go to extremes. On the one hand, gauze products require constant replacement and washing, and on the other hand, they provide comfort and safety to the child. To parents who appreciate free time, but are afraid of harming the baby, it is better to choose “ golden mean": during a night's sleep or a long walk, use disposable diapers, and the rest of the time use gauze products. The best option are considered modern systems natural swaddling, which combine environmental friendliness natural materials and the convenience of regular diapers.
Hello dear readers. Even when preparing for the maternity hospital, the mother, having received a list of necessary things, finds out that the little one will need a diaper, and more than one. When a baby is born, the need for diapers appears every day, and in a week you can use a large pack of diapers. And looking at the prices of these devices, your jaw can literally drop. At such a moment, it’s time to think about solving the problem. It turns out that you can make diapers with your own hands, and every mother can do it (well, if it’s really difficult for you, you can ask your grandmother for help). In this article we will look at the options for homemade diapers, find out what the benefits and harms of using them are, as well as how to make this or that diaper.
Valuable qualities
- No need to go to the store if you run out of diapers, because now you just need to wash and dry them.
- Significant budget savings, because store-bought diapers cost a lot of money.
- The ability to use scrap materials in the manufacture of diapers.
- Confidence in the naturalness of materials and environmental friendliness of the product.
- The baby’s body breathes much better in diapers made by the hands of a caring mother.
Minuses
- A used diaper must be replaced on time, because it delivers discomfort. But mommy can’t always detect this in a timely manner.
- You cannot go for walks far from home or walk in the cold season in homemade diapers.
A reusable one, for example, can be worn while sleeping and walking (although I would rather use a regular store-bought diaper for walks), and a disposable one can be worn during the waking period, for the baby’s active games.
Such products are made from gauze or diapers, wrapping the fabric in a special way. To do this, use a triangular or square base.
- From this material you can make a product in the shape of a rectangle.
- Cut a piece of gauze. Good for this following sizes: 60 cm by 100 cm.
- Place gauze on the table. Now you will need to fold its long side several times. We fold until we get 20 instead of 100 cm.
- If you have a son, then our rectangle first needs to be placed on the front side of the baby. If you have a daughter, then first we place it under the backrest.
- We stretch the second part of the rectangle between the legs to the opposite side.
- All that remains is to fix the fabric. Pins can be used for this, but there is a high risk that they will open and injure the little one; special ribbons, strips of fabric or simply ropes can also be used.
They are made from fairly dense fabric. The main thing is that the material is natural and not artificial. They are made in the form of panties, into which so-called inserts (cuts of diapers or gauze) are inserted.
Many mothers, due to their environmental beliefs, in order to save family budget or because of the baby’s allergies, they prefer “grandmother’s” reusable gauze diapers. Of course you can buy them. But it's much cheaper to do it yourself. But it's quite simple! By the way, not even everyone knows how to use gauze diapers. And mastering the “technique” of putting on a gauze diaper is not difficult, so even your mother or grandmother’s skill lessons won’t be useful!
How to make a diaper from gauze?
There are three ways to sew a gauze diaper:
Method 1 – “kerchief”: From a gauze cloth you need to cut a rectangle with sides, one of which is 2 times larger than the other. Calculating the size of gauze diapers is quite easy. So, for example, for a newborn a piece of fabric with a length of 60 cm and a width of 120 cm is suitable. For a baby 1-2 months old, it is better to cut a rectangle 80x160 cm. And three or four one month old baby a piece with a base of 180 cm and sides of 90 cm is required. From the fabric folded in half, a square is obtained, the edges of which must be processed manually with an overcast stitch or sewing machine zigzag or overlock around the perimeter. If the product is folded obliquely, a triangle emerges - the so-called “kerchief”. Place the baby on it in the middle so that long side close to his waist. Pass the lower end of the diaper between its legs, and place the side ends on top and secure.
Method 2 - Hungarian. There is another way to fold a gauze diaper into a “scarf” - the Hungarian way. To do this, fold the gauze diaper in half twice until you get a square (1, 2). Holding the corners of the diaper, one of the free corners is pulled up (3). Turning the figure back to front (4), the upper layers of the diaper are rolled into a roller (5, 6). Now you can put the baby in a diaper in the same way as with the “kerchief” (7,8,9).
Method 3 – “rectangular”: Gauze fabric is folded in several layers to form a rectangle with sides 90x20 cm. To maintain its shape, the diaper should be sheathed around the perimeter. Before putting on a gauze diaper, fold it in half lengthwise and thread the ribbon through. Just place a rectangle under the child so that the fold of the fabric with the rope is located at waist level. Drape the loose end of the diaper over the front of your belly button. You can wear warm fabric (fleece) on top. Tie the string in a knot in front of your stomach. Ready!
Many inexperienced mothers are concerned about how many gauze diapers they need. It is believed that the quantity of 20-25 pieces is quite acceptable.
Washing gauze diapers
And finally, a couple of tips on how to wash gauze diapers. After use, they can be washed by hand or in a washing machine at 60-90°C with baby powder. But after bowel movement, the diaper should be rinsed under running water. We hope our recommendations on how to make and use gauze diapers were helpful!
In this article:
Until the moment disposable diapers appeared, there was no alternative for young mothers even in their thoughts - in any home where they were preparing for the birth of a newborn, they made gauze diapers with their own hands. They were considered an essential item for a baby, especially in the first months of his life.
And today grandmothers persistently invite their daughters to give up synthetic drugs. disposable diapers and remember about natural reusable diapers, which are 100% safe for the health of the child, especially boys. The topic of disposable diapers and gauze diapers, as well as questions about their advantages and disadvantages, will cause controversy and be discussed in our society for a long time.
Gauze diapers or diapers?
To find out which is better, it is necessary to consider the positive and negative sides these types of diapers and compare them with each other.
Pros of gauze diapers:
- low cost, environmentally friendly material;
- no problems with washing after the advent of modern automatic washing machines;
- quick potty training (controversial opinion).
Disadvantages of gauze diapers:
- it’s hard to fix it on the baby’s bottom, they slide off;
- the diaper, being wet, causes diaper rash and irritation on the baby's skin;
- constant leakage, it is impossible to keep outer clothing dry; after the child has peed, he will have to be changed completely;
- Because of a wet diaper, the baby wakes up several times during the night.
Pros of disposable diapers:
- the child is dry, there is no need to waste time changing his clothes, changing bed linen, wiping up puddles on the floor;
- The baby sleeps well all night.
Disadvantages of disposable diapers:
- high price;
- compliance with the rules of wearing and changing a diaper (if the diaper remains on the baby for more than 6 hours, it can also cause diaper rash and overheating of the skin);
- complexity of recycling, environmental problem.
So, which is better - gauze diapers or ready-made diapers? Only the right decision will not go to extremes and use what is convenient, doing it correctly, carefully observing the child’s hygiene. If it is possible to constantly purchase diapers, if a young mother feels tired after giving birth and it is difficult for her to cope with endless washing and constant changing of reusable diapers, why should she give up disposable ones?
You can combine disposable and reusable diapers with each other. The main thing is to choose something that really seems safe and comfortable, since a confident and calm mother will raise a healthy and calm baby.
Pros and cons of gauze diapers
DIY gauze diapers have strengths and weaknesses, which we have already written about. But let's look at them in more detail.
So, the main advantages:
- economical: from a package of gauze you can make up to 25 diapers;
- naturalness: gauze is a material that, when in contact with a child’s skin, does not cause irritation;
- the skin breathes: gauze allows air to pass freely, so skin and the baby’s mucous membranes do not overheat;
- the child gets used to the potty faster because he knows what it is to be wet;
- If desired, a gauze diaper can be easily “adjusted” to any size of the child.
The disadvantages of gauze diapers for newborns include:
- frequent washing: a set of 25 gauze diapers is enough for one day;
- child's anxiety: wet and dirty diapers cause discomfort in the baby, they need to be changed immediately, regardless of the time of day and other circumstances;
- lack of a full night's sleep: in a wet diaper, the child will not want to sleep further, so the whole family will have to forget about a normal night's rest;
- a ban on long and long walks, especially in the off-season - usually babies pee once every 1-2 hours, so you won’t be able to go for a long time and far in a gauze diaper, you will have to return home every time to change the baby.
Dimensions
Depending on the age of the child, the size of gauze diapers for newborns varies.
So, the length and width of the gauze should be as follows:
- For a newborn baby 60/100 cm.
- For infants 1-3 months 80/100 cm.
- For children from 3 months 180/90 cm, if the diaper is made using the “kerchief” technique.
- For children from 3 months 60/100 cm, if the “rectangle” technique is selected.
- For babies from 3 months 90/90 cm, if the “Hungarian” technique is taken as a basis.
The proposed sizes of gauze diapers can be modified individually depending on the child’s body type, including the size of a gauze diaper for a newborn.
How to make gauze diapers: folding techniques
How to sew gauze diapers for newborns? To make gauze diapers with your own hands, you will, of course, need gauze. You can buy it at any pharmacy. Unfortunately, these days the quality of this material has deteriorated compared to what our parents purchased. The old gauze was denser and held its shape after numerous washes. Nowadays such material cannot be found, so many young mothers are interested in how to make a diaper from a diaper using old bed linen.
So, how to fold a gauze diaper with your own hands? There are three techniques for folding gauze, but it is not necessary to sew the product. The main thing is to choose the size for the gauze diaper.
Technique one - scarf
A piece of gauze 90/180 cm is folded in half horizontally, then in half again, but this time diagonally. It should look like a kind of scarf on which the child lies. The lower end of the gauze rises between the legs, and the side edges overlap each other. It turns out to be a “belt” that can be tucked in or tied up.
Technique two - rectangle
A piece of gauze 60/100 cm needs to be rolled lengthwise several times. You should get a rectangle measuring 20/60 cm. One edge of the rectangle should be placed under the back of the girl or in front of the boy. The second edge is passed between the baby's legs. The resulting diaper is secured with a diaper or belt.
The third technique is Hungarian
Pieces of gauze measuring 60/60 or 90/90 are taken by the top edge and folded in half, then by the right edge and folded in half again. You should end up with a square, the top corner of which needs to be turned back so that the scarf comes out. After this, the gauze is turned upside down, its free corner is folded several times. The result is a compacted center on which the baby must be placed. The lower end of the diaper is threaded between the legs, the side parts are overlapped and tucked in with a belt.
How to wash gauze diapers?
Having learned how to make gauze diapers for newborns, not all young mothers know how to use gauze diapers. They should be removed as quickly as possible after the child gets them dirty or wet. Gauze diapers on a child should only be dry, otherwise he may develop diaper rash.
These diapers must be washed by hand. First, the contaminated gauze is washed under running water, after which it is immersed in water with diluted baby powder or soap at a temperature of at least 60 degrees. Then the diapers should be disinfected by boiling, dried and ironed on both sides.
It is not advisable to wash reusable diapers in a washing machine; they will quickly lose their shape and appearance. Minus hand wash is the impossibility of fully removing all existing contaminants. Therefore, it is highly recommended to renew your supply of gauze diapers every 2 months to prevent the development of diaper rash.
Which diapers should you choose? Each young mother solves this issue in her own way. On the one hand, gauze diapers require frequent replacement and washing; moreover, they are characterized by low absorbency and do not adhere well to the child’s body, but, on the other hand, they are environmentally friendly and cannot cause allergies on the skin of a newborn.
If a young mother does not want to spend time washing, drying and ironing gauze diapers every day, you can offer her the “golden mean” that many women adhere to: put on a disposable diaper for the baby at night and for walks, and use gauze diapers the rest of the time. This combined method causes less concern among young mothers.
Helpful video on how to fold and put on a gauze or cloth diaper
Which diapers are suitable for a child is a question that every mother asks herself. Many parents purchase disposable diapers. The advantages of these hygiene products are known to everyone, but grandmothers do not approve of this choice. They believe that disposable diapers are harmful to the health of babies and advise using reusable gauze diapers.
Hygiene products made from gauze are considered childhood classics. They were the ones used by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers who took care of us from birth. Disposable products that appeared several years ago could not lead parents to completely abandon the use of gauze analogues, which can be bought in a store or made independently.
Gauze diapers: what are they, how to make them
Women, going to the maternity hospital, find diapers on the list of necessary things. Some people buy gauze diapers. However, these products sold in stores are very thin. It is much better to make gauze diapers with your own hands.
To make reusable products, gauze is required. Currently, its quality leaves much to be desired. Previously, gauze was much denser. After washing, its threads did not “clump” together. Nowadays it is very difficult to find such gauze, so many mothers who had to make their own diapers are advised to use thin fabric. You can take an old sheet or duvet cover.
Gauze or fabric in the form of a square or rectangle should be stitched along the edges. Its length and width can be as follows:
- 60 by 120 cm (size of gauze diapers for newborns), 80 by 160 cm (for a baby 1–2 months old) or 90 by 180 cm (for a three-month-old baby) if the “kerchief” folding technique is used;
- 60 by 100 cm if the “rectangle” method is selected;
- 60 by 60 cm or 90 by 90 cm if the “Hungarian” method is used.
Techniques for folding and putting on diapers
- Roll up gauze or cloth and wrap it around it small child possible in several ways. The first technique is the “kerchief” .
- The canvas is folded in half, and then in half again, but only diagonally (the result is a triangle - “kerchief”);
- The baby is placed on the product, the long side of the diaper should be adjacent to the waist;
- The lower end of the triangle is passed between the legs; it should cover the baby’s tummy;
- The side ends are thrown over each other or tied.
The second folding technique is the “rectangle” . The dimensions of gauze diapers are 60 by 100 cm. The material is rolled lengthwise into several layers. The result is a small rectangle (20 by 60 cm). To maintain its shape, it is sheathed around the perimeter. Putting these diapers on your baby is very simple:
- One long edge of the rectangle is turned up;
- The child is placed on the cloth (the folded part of the diaper should be under the back for girls, and in front for boys);
- The second edge of the canvas is passed between the baby’s legs;
- The diaper is tied with a string.
The next method of folding is “Hungarian” . It is similar to the first technique, since the material is folded into a “kerchief”. For those who don't know how to make a diaper from a swaddle, here's a little instruction.
- The fabric is folded in half (the fold should be at the bottom);
- The rectangle is folded in half (it turns out to be a square);
- The upper corner is moved to the side to form a scarf;
- The product is turned over;
- A loose piece of fabric is folded into several layers (a compacted center is obtained).
The baby is placed on the finished diaper. The bottom end of the scarf will go between the legs, and the edges will overlap each other on the baby's tummy.
A little about replacement and washing
Not everyone knows how to use gauze diapers. These products should be removed from the child immediately after getting wet or dirty. Always keep reusable diapers dry on your baby. IN otherwise Diaper rash will appear on the baby's skin.
You need to wash gauze diapers very carefully. It is recommended to do this manually. First, the contaminated fabric should be rinsed under running water and then immersed in water (60-90 degrees) with baby powder.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gauze diapers have advantages and disadvantages. One of the main advantages is its low cost. Buying disposable diapers puts a huge strain on the family budget.
Using only gauze diapers, you can save a lot of money. Their prices in stores are low. There is no need to spend money at all if parents know how to sew diapers from gauze or the same diapers.
Another positive attribute gauze products is that the baby feels very comfortable in them (of course, until they get wet). The material allows air to pass freely. Clean and dry products do not chafe the skin.
As you can see, gauze diapers don’t have many advantages. There are many more disadvantages.
