In Kerala use of disposable diapers was not very common at least until a couple of years back. As expecting parents, we never planned to use them for our babies. But the first time I went to see my babies at NICU, they had diapers on. Later when our first baby was brought to the private NICU room, and the nurse fed him milk through the nasal tube, he pooped. I didn't know it, but the nurse said he did, and she said she'd show me how to change the nappy. The neonatologist, Dr.Abraham George was very particular that babies should not lie on their back, but should always lie on their stomach. Initially we had a lot of reservations about this, but nevertheless we trusted our doctor immensely and rightly, and hence did as was instructed. (There is a lot of debate on the issue of whether babies should be put on their backs or tummy to sleep, but for us it proved to be a good method to let them sleep on their tummy. It reduced gas formation, and made it easier for them to sleep. They always sleep on their tummy although at times they turn around in sleep and lie on their sides or back.) Hence during the first month, on Doc's strict instruction, we fastened the nappy on their backs. This made it possible for us to change nappies in their sleep, without turning them around. But after a month or so we found it unsuitable and started fastening it in the front itself.
So unlike we planned, or rather not planned, our babies always had disposable diapers on during their first year. Initially we were apprehensive about heat build up in the covered area, but later we found that the babies were quite comfortable with nappies on. It is difficult to clean up three babies as soon as they poop or pee because as I clean up one, the others tend to make a mess. While diapers are on we get time to clean them one by one. So even though we bought some reusable diapers and briefs, we never used them in the first year. And somehow disposable nappies seemed much cleaner too. However, they had rashes whenever we used a different brand other than Godrej's Snuggy, which has a soft, cotton feel. So we stuck to Snuggy. (It is just my babies' case- my friends do use Pampers and other brands without any issue).
It is good to reserve a table for diaper changing, preferably in a space near bathrooms. Absorbent sheets are very useful while changing nappies, and also when the babies are taking short nappy-free naps :) Also diaper rash creams are to be kept handy, and wet wipes are good to clean up. We do not use those regularly, but during travels, they are quite useful.
It is good to reserve a table for diaper changing, preferably in a space near bathrooms. Absorbent sheets are very useful while changing nappies, and also when the babies are taking short nappy-free naps :) Also diaper rash creams are to be kept handy, and wet wipes are good to clean up. We do not use those regularly, but during travels, they are quite useful.
Now we were face to face with a major problem-disposal of the disposable diapers. Being environment- conscious and wanting to be green, we found this unsuitable to our principles, made us feel guilty. But we really had to use disposable diapers in our situation, and so tried to dispose them in as safely as we could. In the first few months, each baby used an average of 12 nappies per day, that is, we were left with 36 nappies at the end of the day! We tried burning them with all sorts of fuel, but only wood dust seemed useful- for complete burning. But getting so much wood dust was a problem, it took hours for it to burn and caused pollution. Diesel was the second choice, but that was too expensive and it caused too much pollution. Thus we finally made an arrangement with a neighboring hospital's garbage disposal group, and every second week we took the tightly sealed sacks with nappies to the hospital, where the garbage disposal team took our sacks along with the hospital wastes for treatment and disposal. This was the safest and greenest option available for us. It became a chore every night to unload the waste bin to the big sack, fasten the sack and keep it outside in a small shaded area in our tiny backyard. Once we had a problem when a stray dog jumped into our compound in the middle of the night and tore up the sack. Early morning we found soiled and torn nappies scattered around. Such nightmare! Then we started tightening the sack and also spraying the outside with Dettol, so the smell would keep the dog away. It worked.
Update March 2013
After the first few months, the diaper use reduced to 6-7 per baby per day. Since one diaper costed Rs.10/-, the daily expense for it reduced from Rs.360/- to Rs.200/-. We weren't very successful in potty training them, so the nappy use continued. Probably it was a good idea to potty train them sooner, but when we tried we found that it increased their stress. So we left it at that, and left them to develop bowel control on their own. It took time, but it worked. They started to tell us when they wanted to poop or pee, they developed a routine according to their own biology, and the stress was much less for them and for us. Now at two and a half, they still use nappies when they sleep, that is 2 nappies per baby per day. Some times I think about Dr.Sigmund Freud's anal stage and wonder if it would affect their psychosexual development, but it seems very unlikely from the way they are progressing..It would all have been wild and messy and crazy moments every time, everyday, when they'd suddenly pee and poop and try to touch it or smear it or what not! So we chose to be safe, and we are still continuing the slow transition to diaper-free days :)
Oil massage for babies
Update on December 2013
After the first few months, the diaper use reduced to 6-7 per baby per day. Since one diaper costed Rs.10/-, the daily expense for it reduced from Rs.360/- to Rs.200/-. We weren't very successful in potty training them, so the nappy use continued. Probably it was a good idea to potty train them sooner, but when we tried we found that it increased their stress. So we left it at that, and left them to develop bowel control on their own. It took time, but it worked. They started to tell us when they wanted to poop or pee, they developed a routine according to their own biology, and the stress was much less for them and for us. Now at two and a half, they still use nappies when they sleep, that is 2 nappies per baby per day. Some times I think about Dr.Sigmund Freud's anal stage and wonder if it would affect their psychosexual development, but it seems very unlikely from the way they are progressing..It would all have been wild and messy and crazy moments every time, everyday, when they'd suddenly pee and poop and try to touch it or smear it or what not! So we chose to be safe, and we are still continuing the slow transition to diaper-free days :)
Oil massage for babies
Update on December 2013
I am so glad to say that now they are totally out of diapers, and potty-trained. Finally saying good bye to diaper days :D
