Nappies take back seat as moms go gaga over diapers

The Messy business of tackling baby pee and poo has transformed many new moms into diaper lovers.

Alicia Parker, mother of a one-year-old son, said she has never considered using nappies, as disposables were more convenient.

"Nappies take to much time to deal with and I have to work, so it's easier on my mother who cares for the child when I am out," she stated.

Parker said though diapers are more expensive, she has no plans to change course.

Trudy-Ann Francis said she used nappies two days per week to allow her baby to get fresh air in the pubic area. However, she said going beyond two days would mean too much laundering.

Francis further stated that she regularly checks her five-month-old's diapers to guard against skin irritation.

Nappy supporters

Even before the global economic meltdown emerged, diapers had gradually taken pride of place over nappies in retail stores as expenses weighed in on family budgets. Despite tighter purse strings, nappy demand is still at rock bottom.

While it costs $300 for a pack containing six nappies, it is estimated that parents spend about $1,500 per week on diapers.

Carl James said he is happy his daughter has passed the stage of wearing diapers because the cost was too taxing.

"It used to be rough financially and it would be much better if a nappy was used," the dad argued.

He said he chose not to defy the wishes of his daughter's mom, though he preferred nappies to diapers.

Everal Martin sings a similar tune.

Despite the price difference, he said he is amazed that most parents gravitate towards the dearer diapers. But like many Jamaicans, Martin views diapers as a status symbol of sophistication and progress. Nappies, on the other hand, are often frowned upon.

"It would look bad to force my babymother to use nappies when nobody not using it," Martin argued.

However, some moms insist that nappies' cloth texture provides incomparable comfort for toddlers.

"Babies need air and support for them backs, but the mothers now don't want to wash, so them no care what want happen to the babies," stated 50-year-old Marcia Rowe, who is a mother of five.

"All of my children use nappies and I know I had it easier than plenty o' them new mothers here because sometimes I wonder how them afford the Pampers (a popular brand of diapers)."

Verona Grant-Brissett, a registered midwife at the Linstead Hospital, told The Gleaner that babies who wear nappies are less likely to develop rashes.

She advised mothers to let babies wear nappies for at least the first six weeks because newborns are tender and prone to infection.

"The Pampers are likely to cause rashes in the genital area and sometimes the rashes get so severe that they become painful and sometimes even require antibiotics," said Grant-Brissett.

The midwife said diapers quickly absorb urine and sometimes make it difficult to detect if the newborn gets wet.

The nurse also pointed out non-biodegradable diapers have a negative effect on the environment.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com