Know your Disposables : Episode1

Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper in the 1950s, revolutionizing baby care. Today’s diapers are convenient but raise concerns about health and environmental impact. This series explores the balance between comfort and the consequences of disposable diapers.

Diapers: A Modern Convenience ?

It all started with a bathroom curtain and some tissue paper.

Back in the 1950s, Marion Donovan stitched together the first prototype of a disposable diaper — a waterproof cover made from her shower curtain, lined with layers of tissue as absorbent material. It wasn’t fully disposable yet, but it was the beginning of a revolution in baby care.

Fast forward to today: diapers are sleek, super absorbent, and entirely disposable. Nearly 79% of babies around the world are wrapped in them. From tissue to SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), and from washable nylon to landfill-stuffing plastic — disposable diapers have evolved, but not without a cost. They are often praised for revolutionizing baby care — making life easier for parents and more comfortable for babies.

But have they really?

Or are we trading short-term convenience for long-term consequences on our babies’ health and the environment? Is there a way to balance comfort with the impact of disposables? This series aims to gently unpack those questions — so you can make informed, conscious choices about diapering your baby.

Next in the series: “Dissecting the Diaper: Each Layer has a story- And a CHEMICAL!

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