Should newborns use baby mats or adhesive diapers? This is a question that leaves many mothers pondering when selecting absorbent products for their babies. The advantage of baby mats lies in their affordable price, while adhesive diapers excel in effective absorption and convenience.
Which is better for newborns: baby mats or adhesive diapers?
Newborns, with their delicate and unsettled skin structure, are prone to allergies. Therefore, mothers need to be extra cautious when choosing clothes or selecting diaper types and using them correctly. Proper use of diapers will help protect the baby's skin from daily waste, a matter that mothers should pay special attention to.
Baby mats for newborns
Resembling the shape and structure of wingless sanitary napkins commonly used by women, baby mats are longer due to babies spending a lot of time lying down. There are various sizes of baby mats, allowing mothers to choose the appropriate size for their baby.
Baby mats are often used in conjunction with diapers to ensure absorption and save washing time for mothers.
Drawback: Poor body adherence and low leak-proof walls may cause waste to spill out. Currently, there are brands like Bobby or Huggies offering effective baby mats that mothers can choose from.
Differences between baby mats and adhesive diapers
Adhesive Diapers
Designed to resemble pants but with 2 adhesive strips on either side to secure the diaper. Adhesive diapers are usually more expensive than baby mats, but they are cheaper than diaper pants, while their absorption capabilities are similar.
Adhesive diapers come in various sizes suitable for each stage of a baby's development. For example, Merries adhesive diapers include size S for babies from 4 – 8kg, size M for babies from 6 – 11kg, size L for babies from 9 – 14kg, etc. Choosing the right size ensures the baby feels comfortable, happy, and active throughout the day.
Drawback: Adhesive diapers or disposable diapers tend to be warmer and less breathable than cloth diapers, potentially causing diaper rash if a poor-quality adhesive diaper is chosen. Some excellent choices for babies include Merries and Huggies diapers—ultra-soft, ultra-breathable, ultra-absorbent, and ultra-dynamic. Keeps babies comfortable and active all day long.
With the advantage of waste absorption, both adhesive diapers and baby mats are the most common products chosen by mothers. So, what's the best choice for newborns: baby mats or adhesive diapers? Let's compare these two products on the blog.
Comparison between baby mats and adhesive diapers for newborns
1. Absorption Capacity
Baby mats generally have lower absorption capacity, and waste may spill out. Mothers may spend more time checking and changing the mats, usually every 2 hours, requiring up to 10 mats per day.
In contrast to baby mats, adhesive diapers are designed with high absorption capacity specifically for newborns. With excellent absorbency, the baby's skin remains dry, preventing irritation, itching, or diaper rash. This makes mothers prefer choosing adhesive diapers for their babies.
For the comprehensive development of newborns, sleep is a crucial factor. Newborns need to sleep for 16 – 18 hours per day. Therefore, if mothers choose baby mats, they will often need to check or change the mats, affecting the baby's sleep.
2. Product Cost
Comparing the cost aspect of these two products, baby mats are cheaper than adhesive diapers. Therefore, if economic conditions do not allow, mothers can choose baby mats instead of adhesive diapers.
However, mothers need to understand that newborns in the first month tend to urinate a lot. Due to the lower absorption capacity, mothers will need to use more baby mats. When converted to monetary terms, the cost of using baby mats is not necessarily cheaper than using adhesive diapers.
When using baby mats, mothers will need to purchase additional cloth diapers to use with them. Moreover, they will spend time washing them.
3. Utility of the Product
In terms of utility, baby mats cannot be compared to adhesive diapers. With lower absorption capacity, mothers spend more time monitoring, checking, and changing baby mats. Additionally, using baby mats requires extra time for washing.
On the other hand, using adhesive diapers with better absorbency saves time on washing. Mothers will have more time to be with and play with their baby.
Currently, there are many reputable and quality adhesive diaper brands on the market that mothers can trust for their babies, such as Merries and Huggies. For newborns, Merries Newborn adhesive diapers are the most suitable. The NB size fits perfectly, ensuring the baby's comfort. With super-soft, breathable material and excellent absorbency, the diaper's surface stays dry.