As first-time parents, you already have a lot to deal with but almost everyone forgets that when it comes to disposable diapers, the size isn’t the only thing you should worry about.

Here are tips on how to choose the right diaper for your newborn.

Disposables or Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are still an option even if there are a lot of choices available in markets in Singapore. Cloth diapers can be hand-washed and machine-washed so that you can save more money instead of buying packs of diapers every week. To make life easier, you can use a flushable liner that will trap baby’s poo so that it’s easier to clean by dropping it in the toilet. If you want to save more, there are washable cloth wipes that are better alternatives to disposable wipes. Cloth diapers don’t expose your baby’s skin to petro-chemicals such as super absorbent polymer (SAP) that absorb the fluids. Most parents, however, choose disposable diapers because they involve less work and effort to use.

Diaper Absorbency
For disposable diapers, absorbency should be your first concern because it they must be effective in holding the body fluids away from your baby’s skin. If the diaper is always damp, the moisture can cause irritation and rashes. Make sure that the inner layer of the diaper is soft and can stay dry by wicking the moisture into the diaper’s core. Inspect the absorbent core that is supposed to keep away the moisture from baby’s skin to prevent the development of rashes, and check the outer layer that is supposed to be waterproof to prevent leaks.

Diapers Should Fit
How do you find the correct diaper size for your baby? The best way is to base it on your baby’s weight. By finding the correct size, there is less chance of leaks because the diaper fits properly. You have to make sure as well that the diaper has double elastic sealing edges, meaning that there should be one sealing edge each for the absorbent core and the outer shell. For extra comfort, inspect the quality of the materials the diaper is made of such as the elasticity and the softness of the diaper. But even with these factors in mind, you will still go through a trial-and-error process when looking for the best diapers for your baby.

Skin- and Environment-Friendly
If your baby is sensitive to materials such as latex and fragrance, use hypoallergenic diapers that are free from the following: chlorine, fragrance, and dye. SAP is found to be safe in most studies, so there’s not need to worry if you can’t find an alternative. There are green disposable diapers available for parents who want to be Earth-friendly. These types of diapers usually use less chlorine during the manufacturing process, are made of biodegradable materials, use renewable resources in the factories, and pay attention to minimizing their carbon footprint.

Teething is definitely one of the most dreadful ordeal that your baby can experience. The irritating achiness brought by this development might even be more painful for you, his caregiver, than for your little one. However, you don’t need to get so stressed out with the idea of teething as the following remedies will surely help you in easing the teething pain that your baby might be feeling.

1. Gum Rub. Teething babies usually find it soothing when their gums are rubbed during this phase. So soothe your baby’s teething aches by gently rubbing his gums with your clean finger for a few minutes.

2. Cold Washcloth. Most babies love gnawing on cold items especially when they’re teething, and a cold washcloth is the safest and best teething toy that you can provide your tot. Soothe them by placing a clean, wet washcloth in the chiller for about 15 minutes, then let your baby chew on it.

3. Teething Toys and Rings. Rubber teething toys and rings come in all shapes and sizes. Some have bumps, while there are also some that needs to be filled with water that should be chilled in the freezer. If you don’t have enough budget purchase a teething toy, create a homemade teething toy by squeezing water into your child’s pacifier then chill it.

4. Cold Food. If your baby is already old enough to eat solid foods, then gnawing on cold foods is perfect for him. Anything from frozen grapes, bananas, bagels, cold yogurt and applesauce will do the trick. Just place the food in a mesh feeder to ensure that your baby gets to chew on the cold food without swallowing some large pieces.

5. Teething Biscuits. There are babies who love chewing cold food, but there are also those who don’t enjoy cold items. If your baby is the latter, you can still soothe his teething pains by giving him some hard teething biscuits. You can also opt for the solid foods offered by brands like Gerber, Healthy Time and Earth’s Best. Just make sure that your baby is already old enough to chew and eat solid foods.

6. Pain Medication for Children. If all else fails, try using small doses of children’s pain reliever, such as infant Motrin or Tylenol. Just be sure to consult your paediatrician first before giving your baby an acetaminophen or any form of pain reliever.

With these effective teething remedies, you can now soothe the teething pains that your baby is feeling and give him a good rest especially at night.