Will bulky cloth diapers delay developmental milestones?

Cynthia - posted on 09/23/2009

no it doesnt delay development, my twin sons are 10 months and have been using cloth nappies since they were 8 weeks and they are developing on par and in some areas even ahead.

Caroline - posted on 09/22/2009

Quoting Jen:
It might help them to develop muscles even earlier because they are working against the diaper when they are littler, like your daughter is. You can offer her some nakie time too, but sounds like she is doing just great!! I think we worry so much, not even about cloth diapers, but everything, just making sure everything is easy for our little ones. And not so little ones. I have more experienced parents tell me that making life easy for our children doesn't really do them a favor. Maybe that's more deep than what you were shooting for! Glad you're a part of this community :-) :-)

A-freakin-MEN! 

Caroline - posted on 09/22/2009

Yeah, a little bit. I noticed my baby was able to sit up naked, but not with all the wrappings around his butt/legs. But it was still worth it to me because it was such a minor delay. Before long, he figured out how to be stronger than the cloth!

Same with rolling over.

Lisa - posted on 09/19/2009

No. My first daughter had Developmental Hip Dysplasia so was in a brace until 7 mths. She could not roll, sit or even weight bare on her legs. She was full on running by 13 mths old. My second was walking at 10 mths, both fully in cloth.

Jennifer - posted on 09/11/2009

my daughter wore bumgenius diapers from 2 months on, and her development is just fine. in fact she was ahead in some areas. I wouldn't worry about it to much unless your doctor suspects something...babys learn to adapt very easily!

Jen - posted on 09/11/2009

Quoting Margaret:

There is a wide range of "normal" that is influenced by way more than the sort of diaper your baby wears. It is so tempting to compare children and be proud/worried because other babies are developing new skills at a different pace to yours. If you really are worried about your baby's development speak to a health professional, otherwise just enjoy each new skill as it comes along.

I think Margaret spoke to the heart of the issue.  It's really really true!  One of my friends kids didn't walk until 18 months, didn't talk until a smidge later than normal, he was just taking it all in.  Now he is one of the most attentive, thoughtful preschoolers in my class. 

It's also good to remember that so much happens in a month or week, so if you have any friends with babies weeks or months older than yours, it can feel discouraging that their kids are doing cool things, and your baby is still ... a baby.  lol.  Just enjoy getting to know your baby, as best you can!

Margaret - posted on 09/11/2009

There is a wide range of "normal" that is influenced by way more than the sort of diaper your baby wears. It is so tempting to compare children and be proud/worried because other babies are developing new skills at a different pace to yours. If you really are worried about your baby's development speak to a health professional, otherwise just enjoy each new skill as it comes along.

Miriam - posted on 09/08/2009

I don't think so. My son is in cloth and my nephew who is about the same age (6wks difference) is in disposables. The boys are meeting their milestones at basically the same ages (in weeks) and both are slightly ahead of the average ages for each thing.

Danae - posted on 09/08/2009

No I was kinda worried about that with my first. She was extremely plump :-) and had a hard time rolling over with her legs spread out. We gave her nakie time every night and she loved it. It seemed to me that as soon as she learned to heave her little chunky body over that it didn't matter wether or not she had the diapers on or not. She will be fine. If you are worried just give her some nakie time :-) worked for us.

Jen - posted on 09/08/2009

that's a great question, probably lots of moms have wondered about that! It might hinder them by a day or two. lol, so yeah in the grand scheme of things, no. It might help them to develop muscles even earlier because they are working against the diaper when they are littler, like your daughter is. You can offer her some nakie time too, but sounds like she is doing just great!! I think we worry so much, not even about cloth diapers, but everything, just making sure everything is easy for our little ones. And not so little ones. I have more experienced parents tell me that making life easy for our children doesn't really do them a favor. Maybe that's more deep than what you were shooting for! Glad you're a part of this community :-) :-)

Sarah - posted on 09/08/2009

NO! They have not seemed to hinder my WILD ten month old. She uses bulkier prefolds at home and pockets when we go out. She rolled, crawled, and walked fairly early with no problems at all. If anything, it's extra cushion!

Emily - posted on 09/08/2009

My husband thinks the cloth is too bulky and worries about the same thing. So I reminded him that we both wore cloth diapers and we are fine.

Cheryl - posted on 09/08/2009

We have had no problems with our son's development. He's now 18 months and learning to run fast!! He does find it harder to get up on chairs and furniture because of the bulky nappy but I think that's a plus!

Dana - posted on 09/06/2009

It's a great question, that I'm sure many people have wondered about. Congrats on your first daughter, and it's great that your starting out cloth diapering. I have four children, but only cloth diapered my fourth, just didn't know enough to cloth diaper the older ones.

What I find is the big fuzzy butt makes falling on their bum less painful, when my daughter is learning how to walk.



Dana

Mheagan - posted on 09/05/2009

Thanks! Since she is my first I have no idea...:)

Sara - posted on 09/05/2009

Don't worry, My son is 10 months old and always on time developmently.

Amy - posted on 09/05/2009

um no...

Angela - posted on 09/05/2009

nope, my little guy is in FuzziBunz and has no issues. If you think about it we all wore cloth diapers (depending on your age of course) and we weren't challenged!
If anything cloth diapers speed up the process in especially with potty training because kids hate to have a wet bum.

Jessica - posted on 09/05/2009

Short answer: nope! :)



No worries. I don't know any cloth diapered babies who are delayed because of the extra bulk.