The matter that can never be kept aside is the hygienic side of baby care. As it is never expected from a baby to pay heed to the call of nature a careful mother or a caregiver should be always alert so that the baby does not remain in a damp state as a result of defecation or urination. If the baby remains in that state for a long time it may suffer from rashes that may inflict discomfort to it. To aid the process diapers or pants for the babies have been used for a long time. They are of two types, cloth diapers and synthetic diapers.

The use of cloth diapers is always controversial as the questions of convenience, cost, health and environmental protection always come. Keeping these in view plastic diapers are introduced but owing to hygienic causes such use remains in some countries obsolete. Most of the parents opt for cloth diapers as they are reusable and best suited for the babies when the question of proper hygiene comes to the forefront.

Cloth diapers are absolutely reusable and are made of natural fibers or man made materials such as microfiber toweling or a waterproof layer with some component so that the inside portion of the diapers remain dried all the while .  Cloth diapers are folded in square or rectangular shape and are fastened with small safety pins. But gradually keeping pace with the advent of technology the safety pins have been replaced by hook and loop snaps or tape. The modern diapers are of different shapes fitted diaper with pockets, diapers with water resistant outer shell, all in one diapers containing waterproof exteriors.

The modern cloth diapers are disposable diapers made with the materials to separate total moisture from skin or made with an elastic band to contain the waster matters. There are many types of cloth diapers right now used as prefold diapers, rectangular in shape, sewn together. These are fastened with small pins. The prefold cloth diapers should be washed on regular basis but the cover, if it is not soaked with feces can be reused for several times. There are flat cloth diapers too. They are a large size of single cloth folded in the exact size that suits the baby. Flat diapers are long clothes fitted in the perfect size to fit the baby. Cloth diapers should be washed in detergents to remove bacteria. Exposure to sun is also needed to dry them properly and eliminate the remaining bacteria.