diaper

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Disposable diaper, disposable diaper

The diaper is an absorbent product in different versions made of textile or textile-like fabric for the hygienic absorption of urine and stool (feces) . They are fastened around the hips and crotch and worn like underpants to prevent clothing from getting dirty. It is used by and for people who, for various reasons, cannot control their excretions. Examples are infants and young children , people with stool or urinary incontinence or when the working conditions require it, such as with astronauts . It is used less often in domestic and zoo animals.

The exchange of a used diaper for a clean one is colloquially referred to as diapering and, from a hygienic and dermatological point of view, must take place at regular intervals. The alternative to using a diaper is going to the toilet or wearing other dissipative incontinence devices.

history

Before the consumption of the disposable diaper and its marketing from 1961, cloth diapers were used, if diapers were used at all, which were boiled to clean them after use.

The American Marion Donovan is considered the inventor of the disposable diaper, who was unable to market her design for a diaper. The first commercial disposable diaper was launched in the USA by the Chux company. Despite this innovation , it was only the invention of a disposable diaper by Victor Mills , a director at Procter & Gamble , that had resounding success. Mills' invention has been marketed in the United States since 1961 under the Procter & Gamble brand Pampers . The Pampers brand was introduced in Germany in autumn 1973. In the same year Procter & Gamble made the decision to build a factory for Pampers in Euskirchen. The factory produces for all of Europe and developed into the largest Procter & Gamble plant outside the USA and the largest employer in the Euskirchen district.

Structure and components

Cloth diapers (reusable, as washable)

In the case of diapers, a distinction is made between disposable and reusable diapers, with some features being the same for both product groups. The biggest differences in structure can be found in the absorbent body and in the fixation on the body. When developing and selecting diapers, aspects of cooling (especially important for spermatogenesis in male babies ), the diaper climate (moist heat can cause yeast infestation and diaper rash), freedom of movement ( squat-spread position should be possible in the first few weeks) must be considered be) and ecological sustainability (environmental aspects when cleaning or disposing of diapers).

The aids known as disposable diapers , disposable diapers or pant diapers have an outer shell made of polyethylene (PE) and an absorbent body. The latter consists of cellulose material , which in modern diapers is often enriched with superabsorbents , specific polymer salts. As a result, a multiple of the amount of liquid can be bound in the volume of the suction portion. When pressure is applied, the liquid is not released again (as with a sponge). There are Velcro straps on the outer layer to adjust the diaper to the waist circumference. It is covered with plastic film to prevent liquids from seeping through. Other ingredients can be vaseline , stearyl alcohol , low-viscosity paraffins and extracts from Aloe barbadensis .

The superabsorbent absorbs liquid in a multiple amount of its own volume (without releasing it again)

Reusable diapers or cloth diapers are washable and are offered in different designs. There are roughly three systems that differ in how an absorbent layer is combined with a moisture protection layer made of PUL, fleece or wool. The components can be completely sewn together (all-in-one), the absorbent insert can be put into a kind of pocket (pocket diaper) or flaps of the overpants (hybrid diaper / all-in-2) or in a kind of tub that is attached to an outer diaper (all-in-3). The classic cloth diapers made of gauze or molton cloths or knitted diapers have been supplemented by modern systems such as pant diapers and differently absorbent inserts made of microfiber, cotton, bamboo viscose or hemp, with slip overpants as well as those with Velcro fasteners or snaps are, in the handling largely correspond to the disposable diapers.

For swim diapers or swimming pool pants , materials are used that allow use in water. The construction without an absorbent body prevents the diaper from becoming soaked. At the same time, rubber bands on the stomach and legs prevent stool from being released into the environment. In many swimming pools the use of swim diapers is mandatory for babies, especially when swimming with babies .

distribution

The offer on the market ranges from diapers for premature babies , children, adults and animals. The largest market segment is disposable diapers for babies and toddlers , followed by the share for adults and young people.

application

In children, the size of the protective trousers depends on age and weight; in adults, it depends on the hip circumference and the amount of fluid to be expected. The application technique for adolescents and adults differs only slightly from that for infants and small children. With cloth diapers there are a number of diapering techniques that are used depending on the type of design used.

Skin care is particularly important when using diapers. The skin must be carefully freed from the excretions when changing the diaper in order to avoid skin irritation. Cleaning too hard, for example to remove ointment residues, can also lead to skin irritation, redness and lesions. Skin diseases can occur, such as diaper rash , if the diaper was changed too seldom or incorrect care products were used, or diaper thrush from skin fungus, which multiply under favorable conditions.

Infant care

The diaper size should be adapted to the body weight of the child. It is changed approximately every 3 to 4 hours in the newborn, depending on the amount of urine produced, in the infant approximately 5–6 times a day, and as soon as possible in the event of a stool. A baby should not be woken up to change diapers; it should also kick in the air as often as possible without a diaper (so-called open care).

Care of the elderly and the sick

Incontinence pants (view of the leg opening)

In elderly and nursing care, diapers are referred to as protective pants or incontinence pants . With increasing physical weakness, mental impairment, due to illness or after accidents with spinal injuries, urinary or fecal incontinence can occur not only in older people , which requires the use of incontinence aids. In women with advanced pregnancy or slack pelvic floor muscles, it may be necessary to wear protective trousers to catch excretions if other options such as panty liners or pads are not sufficient.

Animals

Disposable diapers for animals are available in stores. They can be used to prevent urination and defecation in places not intended for this. Such cases are required horse diapers for carriage horses in health resorts, use in the home for incontinent pets such as dogs and cats or for the prevention of offspring in zoological gardens. Diapers are also used for bitches in heat .

Further application

Another group of users is represented by people who cannot easily go to a toilet because of their professional situation, such as astronauts during an outboard mission, professional deep-sea divers during a mission or pilots on long-haul flights in aircraft without an on-board toilet.

In diaper fetishism , diapers are worn without physical necessity because it is associated with a sexual stimulus.

Environmental impact and sustainability

The classic discussion about the preference for disposable or reusable diapers includes questions of practicability and economy as well as the question of sustainability .

Disposable diapers are offered on the market as eco-diapers in more environmentally friendly variants. These have a higher proportion of biodegradable components and a higher proportion of components from sustainable resources (up to 70%). A lower ecological burden cannot be taken into account directly during use, since these diapers are also disposed of with the residual waste. The advantage over conventional disposable diapers is derived from the ecological balance due to the less environmentally harmful production. When disposing of waste by incineration , they should not offer any advantage, since even eco-diapers should not be disposed of in the organic but in the residual waste bin after use . Waste incineration is a common method of waste management in Germany; a specified biodegradability is largely irrelevant. The German Liebenau Foundation operates a heating system with diapers from their children's and old people's homes.

In a TV report after questioning the consumer center, Anja Backhaus came to the conclusion that disposable and wash diapers had a comparable ecological balance. A life cycle assessment study by the British environmental authority comes to the same conclusion, which, however, is critically questioned. The basic assumptions of the study are said to be wrong and the environmental influences resulting from waste disposal (incineration) would be neglected.

The life cycle assessment of diapers, from production through use to disposal, differs significantly for different types of diaper: While the use of (reusable) cloth diapers produces waste water through the use of detergents , a single-use diaper consumes many resources for production and disposal. A diaper service , which washes many diapers at the same time, though needed extra energy to transport the diapers, by the efficiency in processing large amounts of cloth diapers but this is compensated.

The increasing, but still latent social perception of disposable diapers as a garbage problem is discussed by both consumers and suppliers. Approximately 2.5 billion disposable diapers are sold annually in the UK. As waste, they make up 2% -3% of the landfill waste or 10% of the residual waste in Germany and thus form the most important individual fraction in residual waste. In France, too, the high proportion of disposable diapers in landfills is perceived as a problem. The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU) in Heidelberg has already carried out studies to determine the eco-balance of diapers. In 1995, a "life cycle balance for primary products of baby diapers and baby diapers" was carried out on behalf of nonwovens economic actors, and in 2006 (on behalf of Procter & Gamble ) a diaper ecological balance from Great Britain was transferred to German conditions.

According to an investigation by the district of Bayreuth , over 1000 tons of waste from diapers was generated in the district in 2005, the disposal of which cost more than 250,000 euros. To avoid the disposal costs, the district offers a financial subsidy for the purchase of reusable diapers, which also saves the parents significant cost savings (the purchase of disposable diapers costs 1000 to 2000 euros per child). The City of Vienna has also been promoting the purchase of washable diapers as part of its waste prevention campaign since around 2005.

Health and development influence

The microclimate in a diaper is moist and warm and there is a risk of yeast infestation. By taking appropriate precautions through the ingredients of diapers, attempts are made to minimize this risk. By the age of two to three, most children are able to be clean without a diaper . According to one study, the use of diapers resulted in a delay in the timing of cleanliness . Today there are also many diapers for children over 3 years of age (partly also for bed-wetting ).

Alternatives

Slit pants are traditionally widespread in China and are also used for diaper-free methods

As an alternative to diapers for babies and toddlers, diaper-free concepts are available. In China, for example, slit pants (pants with a free crotch) are used (so-called 开裆 裤 'kai dang ku', German: "open crotch pants", English: split pants) with which toddlers can excrete their excrement in a targeted and controlled manner. In China, 94% of parents use slit pants instead of diapers on their children. There are similar concepts under the terms Stay Clean , TopfFit or Diaper-Free . In the English-speaking world there are diaper-free concepts under the names Infant Potty Technique , Elimination Communication (often abbreviated as EC), instinctive mothering or Natural Infant Hygiene .

In western industrialized nations , the diaper-free method is particularly preferred by parents who practice attachment parenting . It is based on the parents' (mostly mother's) sense of the child's elimination processes. By observing and interpreting the child's behavior, such as slight changes in facial expressions, the child is then "held back", for example held over a potty so that it can urinate or pass stool. This interaction is mainly justified by a stronger bond between the child and the caregiver. The time until the child has independent control over his excretions ( cleanliness ) should be z. In some cases, Vietnamese children growing up without a nappy are 58% dry at 18 months, 98% at 24 months, while Swedish children who are diapered are 33% dry at 30 months and 55% at 36 months). Awareness of the elimination should occur earlier, the child experiences self-efficacy, because an adequate reaction follows the expression of a need. The child has greater freedom of movement without diapers. Ultimately, the environmental impact from waste production and consumer products with a high ecological balance, as well as the skin exposure from full diapers and / or ingredients / detergent residues contained in diapers, should be lower.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Marion Donovan, Inventor of Disposable Diapers
  2. ^ John Kay : Why the Last Shall be First and the First shall Fade Away . In: Jane Henry, David Mayle (2002) Managing Innovation and Change . Sage Publications, London, 2002.
  3. ↑ Michael Ossenkopp: Pampers - the revolution in baby care. In: Badische Zeitung . March 3, 2011, accessed November 19, 2019 .
  4. ↑ a b c changing diapers, throwing away . Documentary by Jacqueline Farmer and Sylvie Randonneix (Nord Ouest Documentaires). France 2011. 52 min. First broadcast Sun, January 29, 2012 9:47 pm on arte .
  5. ↑ a b c Johannes Puderbach: Every day over ten million Pampers. In: Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger . May 13, 2003, accessed November 19, 2019 .
  6. ↑ a b c d e Ruhland, Felix (2007): The diaper question - ecological balance on the baby bottom . In: sueddeutsche.de (July 10, 2007).
  7. ↑ a b c d Environmental protection at the baby bottom. Is there an environmentally friendly diaper? WDR, December 1, 2009, accessed September 26, 2010 .
  8. ↑ Materials and use of the swim diaper. November 15, 2018, accessed November 15, 2018 .
  9. ↑ M. Hoehl, P. Kullick: health and pediatric care. 3. Edition. 2008, pp. 388, 389.
  10. ↑ Welt Online (2007): Used diapers are good for heating , article from July 26, 2007.
  11. ^ Environment Agency (2008): Using Science to create a better place. An update lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies . Bristol. ISBN 9781844329274 (pdf 170 kB, English)
  12. ^ A b R. Anthony-Pillai: What's potty about early toilet training ?. In: BMJ. 334, 2007, p. 1166, doi : 10.1136 / bmj.39217.603113.59 . PMC 1885320 (free full text).
  13. ↑ a b Landratsamt Bayreuth: Less rubbish through reusable diapers ( October 17, 2005) ( Memento from December 27, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ).
  14. ↑ Life cycle assessments reference list ( Memento from July 21, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) of IFEU Heidelberg. (accessed February 20, 2012).
  15. ↑ Vienna, of course: If you wind up wisely, you save money. ( Memento of March 19, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) (accessed October 11, 2012).
  16. ↑ Our skin ( Memento from May 16, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 1.2 MB). Script for WDR radio series Quarks & Co . Editor Daniele Jörg. P. 14f.
  17. ↑ Bakker, E. & Wyndaelebju, JJ (2000): Changes in the toilet training of children during the last 60 years: the cause of an increase in lower urinary tract dysfunction? In: BJU International (2000), 86, pp. 248-252.
  18. ↑ Article China: Diaper-free zone thanks to Kaidangku. ( Memento from May 23, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) on alltagsjournalismus.com
  19. ↑ Laurie Boucke: TopfFit! The natural way with or without diapers. 3. Edition. tologo Edition Anahita, 2010, ISBN 978-3-9813658-1-8 .
  20. ↑ Lini Lindmayer: No nappy? That's how it's done! Natural baby care. tologo-Verlag, 2009, ISBN 978-3-940596-04-8 .
  21. ↑ Julia Dibbern: Secure babies. Anahita Verlag, 2010, ISBN 978-3-937797-22-9 . (Extract babies don't need diapers! Available online).
  22. ^ Duong TH, Jansson UB, Holmdahl G, Sillén U, A. Hellström AL .: Urinary bladder control during the first 3 years of life in healthy children in Vietnam e A comparison study with Swedish children . Journal of Pediatric Urology (2013) 9, pp. 700-706 .
  23. ↑ Duong TH, Jansson UB, Hellström AL .: Vietnamese mothers' experiences with potty training procedure for children from birth to 2 years of age . Journal of Pediatric Urology (2013) 9, pp. 808-814 .
  24. ^ Cole WG, Lingeman JM, Adolph KE .: Go naked: diapers affect infant walking . Developmental Science 15: 6 (2012), pp. pp 783-790 .

Web links

Commons : Diapers  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Diaper  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations