The Pros And Cons Of Switching To Bamboo Diapers

Whenever I mention that I used bamboo diapers for my kids when they were little, a lot of my newly acquainted mom friends end up being confused.

That’s because while being eco-conscious is rather on-trend right now, few people realize that even diapers can be made from organic, completely biodegradable material without any hazardous chemicals.

Kids go through truckloads of disposable diapers in their early childhood years.

You can just imagine what the average pile of discarded diapers looks like after 2-3 years of use (FYI: it’s around 4500-5000 diapers on average per baby).

It sounds absolutely insane once you think about it, doesn’t it?

One should also consider the fact that even some organic and biodegradable disposable diapers that claim to be eco-friendly might only be doing so to get you to buy their diapers.

Many leave out the little detail about how the manufacturing process can involve heavy metals and other hazardous chemicals.

It’s just not worth risking it over some diapers, which is why I always tell everyone I meet to read the labels carefully – about both the diapers themselves as well as the manufacturing process.

Luckily for us, bamboo diapers are probably the best solution to this problem as their manufacturing process is usually safe for the environment, just like their material.

Why is that? Well that’s what we’re here to find out – so let’s get started, shall we?

The Pros And Cons Of Bamboo Diapers

The reasons why bamboo is an amazing, modern diaper material for a baby’s diaper are plentiful and you would be remiss to not give them a try.

Pros:

1. Bamboo is a completely replenishable resource that’s fully biodegradable.

2. It’s easy to grow without the need for any special conditions, fertilizers or pesticides.

3. Bamboo fiber can absorb a lot more liquid than regular cotton.

4. Unlike cotton, the bamboo plant actually ends up enriching the soil it grows in rather than continuously depleting it.

5. It’s efficient at filtering carbon dioxide out of the air, with some claiming it does it better than most other greenery.

6. Diapers made out of processed bamboo, called rayon silk or artificial silk, end up being a lot more comfortable for your baby than most popular brand diapers.

7. Bamboo diapers have in-built moisture wicking, thus eliminating the need to add special gels or materials to do so.

8. They’re less bulky than traditional disposable diapers as well as providing a more flexible fit.

9. They’re a lot more breathable than most other diapers, preventing your little one from getting too hot or sweaty underneath, keeping them from further discomfort.

10. Once processed, the diapers are naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial and, most importantly, naturally hypoallergenic thanks to the lack of potentially harmful chemicals being added into the mix.

11. The lack of chemicals offers a reduced chance of diaper rash, so diaper changes from one type to another (e.g. cloth to bamboo) feel a lot more natural because of it.

As you can clearly see bamboo and diapers made out of bamboo have a mountain of positive qualities tied to them, which is a good reason to consider giving them a shot.

Some of my mom friends have used Pampers Huggies and Swaddlers and they’ve served them well.

But, when they found out just how absorbent the bamboo option could be, they were utterly flabbergasted.

That said, I’ve always been an honest person and I try not to just praise the things I write about.

While these eco-friendly diapers are amazing, they do have a few cons depending on the manufacturer.

Cons:

1. They tend to cost more than regular cotton disposable diapers or cloth diapers, so budgeting might become a concern considering the number you’ll have to go through during your child’s diapering period.

2. Some bamboo diaper brands still use questionable manufacturing processes, so one must be careful when deciding which diapers to choose for their little one.

3. Some brands also tend to use a bamboo and cotton blend instead of pure bamboo to help cut down on manufacturing costs. This makes the diaper less absorbent and, if the cotton isn’t organic, it poses a risk of increased diaper rash or other allergic reactions.

4. Bamboo is a material that stains easily. While only a cosmetic effect, I know some parents are rather bothered by this fact so I felt it was worth mentioning.

With all this in mind, one might wonder if it’s even worth going green. Sure, most of the downsides themselves aren’t overly egregious, but there’s one that stands out and that’s the price.

Let’s face it, diapers aren’t the only thing parents have to spend money on where a baby is concerned. There’s a whole lot of other stuff they need to buy.

From the simple things like baby wipes, pacifiers, baby bottles, bibs and such to the more expensive stuff like clothes, baby cribs, strollers, car seats… the list goes on and on.

It’s only natural that we, as parents, want to pinch pennies wherever we’re able and that some of us cannot financially sustain a greener outlook.

All of that is completely understandable and you shouldn’t feel forced to buy disposable bamboo diapers if you don’t have the budget for them.

Don’t blame yourself, blame the processes for being so expensive and the fact that bamboo diapers are a relatively new invention, meaning the manufacturing process is yet to be optimized.

Here’s hoping that, in a few years, the prices will drop enough for them to become more affordable to a wider audience and that demand increases to popularize them.

A Perfect Example Of A Good Baby Bamboo Diaper:

Andy Pandy Diapers

While I myself have taken the time and gone through a number of different biodegradable diapers in the end I’ve settled on one brand as my favorite.

And those are Andy Pandy diapers.

They’re eco-friendly premium bamboo disposable diapers that just manage to tick all the boxes I look for in baby diapers.

The company was created by a mom of four kids who was tired of seeing her baby’s skin always irritated or suffering from diaper rash, hence why she created these.

Their super-soft construction allows even the most sensitive skin to feel comfortable while wearing them.

That’s because of the bamboo that’s been processed into rayon silk, which gives it that unearthly level of smoothness and comfort.

Well, that and the wood fluff pulp and the SAP pure aloe essence that just add another layer of comfort on top of the bamboo.

If you ever touch one, you’ll immediately be able to tell the difference between it and regular cotton diapers.

Given their bamboo construction and all of the amazing properties of bamboo grass mentioned before, this means that there is no need for any added artificial substances or harmful chemicals.

In Andy Pandy’s case, their diapers are 100% chlorine-free and they don’t have any preservatives, phthalates, PVC, TBT, latex, antioxidants, artificial fragrances or the like. The list goes on and on.

They’re also fully hypoallergenic meaning that you won’t have to worry about any potentially nasty allergic reactions.

Now, while all this is well and good, I’m sure you’re wondering how well the actual diaper works as a diaper.

Well, don’t worry, the Andy Pandy disposable bamboo diaper’s absorbency is higher than most other products on the market.

That’s because bamboo can absorb over 30% more liquid than the next best thing, putting it at the top of the list for diaper material.

We all know how big of a problem it is if the diaper leaks or if a blowout occurs when the baby misses potty-time. It can be a real mess for both their clothes and your furniture. Not to mention the smell.

Well, luckily, the Andy Pandy diaper is built to be completely leak-proof so you hopefully won’t have to worry about that happening.

Even if you try tearing into the diaper, you’ll find it quite difficult as they are made to be quite durable and tear-resistant.

Plus, the leak-proof aspect as well as the absorbency of the material combine to prevent any unpleasant others from escaping the diaper.

This is all due to the elastic waistband and the velcro tape around the baby’s legs.

While not perfect, it’s still miles better than any diaper that just tries masking the smell with artificial fragrances and the like.

Being unscented is also something many mothers prefer nowadays given the allergic reactions some of those chemical fragrances can induce.

The diaper’s back sheet is made entirely out of perforated bamboo fiber, which helps keep the air circulating around the baby’s bottom, leaving them nice and cozy even in the hottest temperatures.

My daughter had such a problem with heat being trapped under the diaper and it made her constantly fussy.

Thankfully I ran across these and they remedied the situation thanks to their superior breathability and natural moisture-wicking capability.

They even have a wetness indicator on the back so you can get a bit of warning before your baby starts feeling the discomfort of a full diaper, something not a lot of organic diapers have.

The Andy Pandy diapers even have an added dose of comfort in the thin aloe lotion surface that covers the inner lining of the diaper, which helps keep the baby’s bottom smooth and free from any sort of diaper rash.

Another thing, which doesn’t relate to the high quality of the diaper, is that the people over at Andy Pandy’s care about their fellow moms.

They donate a portion of each sale toward St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital to help moms and their children stay safe and stay healthy.

And finally, something that, at least for me, only further cemented my trust in them is the fact that they offer a full money refund in case you’re not satisfied with the product in any way.

No sneaky replacements, nothing that will still lead to them keeping your money, just a straight up refund which has a lifetime guarantee on it, believe it or not.

I may have gone on a bit of a tangent, but, personally, when all of these things are laid out in this manner, I can’t help but feel reassured that I’ve chosen these as the best diapers I’ve ever had the privilege of using.

In Conclusion

While there are many different types of diapers out there, bamboo diapers come out on top when it comes to both function and form as well as eco-friendliness.

Not only are they more comfortable, hypoallergenic and less prone to being treated with harsh chemicals, they are also a lot more absorbent than their competitors – namely, their cotton counterparts and cloth diapers.

The former most often suffer from harsh chemicals being included in their manufacturing process while the latter, although a lot cheaper, can be a massive chore to keep clean at times.

Plus, cloth diapers are more prone to causing diaper rash in babies.

If you’re a parent who worries about the health and safety of their child as well as the future they’re leaving for them, then you might just need to switch to bamboo diapers.

While my personal favorite is Andy Pandy’s, Cuties and Bambo Nature diapers aren’t too far behind in quality and comfort for your little one.

And, you can rest assured that both their diapers and their manufacturing process are completely environmentally-friendly.

That said, if you don’t have the budget to spare, take it slow, maybe mix it up every so often if you manage to have some excess funds lying around.

I hope this has helped enlighten you on the issues caused by all the diapers we throw out into the world and that you may at least start thinking green even if you can’t afford to buy green alternatives.

Until next time, mammas!

**Make sure to also check out our guides on how many diapers you really need and can diapers expire.

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