jellyjigger
Est. Contributor
- Messages
- 139
If you prefer cloth-like disposables, more power to you as you have a vastly greater selection than those preferring plastic-backed disposables. The general attitude in the medical industry is that there are no good reasons for plastic-backing.
I prefer plastic-backing primarily due to the comfort being better (because the sag/stretch factor is much less) and less side leaks. After being prompted many times to defend plastic-backed disposables, I have attempted a comprehensive list of reasons why cloth-like diapers can be inferior, even listing reasons that might not be applicable to myself. Obviously not all kinds of cloth-like disposables have all drawbacks listed but I was wondering if anyone had other reasons not already in the list below.
Armed with such a list, maybe the community can use it to help shift negative plastic-backed attitudes over time as cloth-like is certainly no panacea.
My list sofar:
-Clothlike has tendency to strech and sag while plastic holds shape better; a better fit leads to better containment of leaks.
-Clothlike overall *breathability* leads to more evaporation and thus increases odors. I think smelling like pee in public is more obvious (and embarrassing) than a slight crinkle, but that's just me!
-Clothlike breathable sides/panels might as well just be a pad in the middle with stretch pants as they provide no side protection; this is important for males who happen to have their member pointing in the wrong direction and the wrong time
-Clothlike are notorous for pinhole leaks!
-Clothlike has been known to chafes people more, although some claim plastic-backing also chafes
-Plastic-backing can be *slid* under patients more easily (especially applicable in bariatric patients) which is why the XLARGE and bariatric styles remain plastic-backed in traditional brands.
I prefer plastic-backing primarily due to the comfort being better (because the sag/stretch factor is much less) and less side leaks. After being prompted many times to defend plastic-backed disposables, I have attempted a comprehensive list of reasons why cloth-like diapers can be inferior, even listing reasons that might not be applicable to myself. Obviously not all kinds of cloth-like disposables have all drawbacks listed but I was wondering if anyone had other reasons not already in the list below.
Armed with such a list, maybe the community can use it to help shift negative plastic-backed attitudes over time as cloth-like is certainly no panacea.
My list sofar:
-Clothlike has tendency to strech and sag while plastic holds shape better; a better fit leads to better containment of leaks.
-Clothlike overall *breathability* leads to more evaporation and thus increases odors. I think smelling like pee in public is more obvious (and embarrassing) than a slight crinkle, but that's just me!
-Clothlike breathable sides/panels might as well just be a pad in the middle with stretch pants as they provide no side protection; this is important for males who happen to have their member pointing in the wrong direction and the wrong time
-Clothlike are notorous for pinhole leaks!
-Clothlike has been known to chafes people more, although some claim plastic-backing also chafes
-Plastic-backing can be *slid* under patients more easily (especially applicable in bariatric patients) which is why the XLARGE and bariatric styles remain plastic-backed in traditional brands.