At the start of the pandemic lockdown, many families were panic-buying formula, diapers and wipes, along with toilet paper. Over very valid fears of lost wages and high costs, and combined with limited supplies and panic hoarding many families turned to early toilet training or cloth diapers for their young children.
While diapers and wipes are no longer scarce (although funds might still be), do you find yourself wondering which diapers are better? Are cloth diapers really more cost effective or better for the environment? Here's everything you need to know to make a decision for your family, budget and lifestyle.
What are the differences between cloth and disposable diapers
Why some families are choosing cloth diapers during the pandemic
During the early days of the pandemic, cloth diapers saw a resurgence because of a shortage of disposable diapers available. Some companies started offering contactless and curbside services to entice customers. Also, the financial uncertainty brought about by the pandemic made many families have to choose between diapers and other food or necessities.
“We saw people buying cloth diapers because they couldn’t get disposable diapers or because disposable diapers were too expensive during a time they didn’t have employment. Cloth diapers were a safety net for their family,” Founder and CEO of Cotton Babies Jennifer Labit told Mom.com.
The mother of four — who had to choose between food or diapers when she had her first child — also elaborated on the effect the lockdown had on families' buying habits. “The other thing we saw people doing was using cloth diapers they had previously purchased instead of using disposable diapers, because they didn’t want to go out during the quarantine.”
