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Is it just me or does anyone else find that chafing is more common / worse with the cloth-like backing than with plastic? And, second, do the plastic backed diapers come apart along the leg openings in the crotch more readily than the cloth-like when you are using zinc oxide or petroleum jelly?

tried cloth-backed just once.

It was like sandpaper.

Jeff,

I always use a zinc oxide barrier cream and that should not be the cause of your problems.

I suspect that the problem may be the fit of the diaper, rather than the material itself. I wear both plastic-backed and cloth-like diapers and have no chafing problems despite using zinc oxide creams. I far prefer plastic-backed diapers. However, I use the Seni brand diapers (from XP Medical) which I think are the best breathable diaper available. IMHO the Seni diapers stretch less than any other cloth-like diaper I have tried. That can be an important factor in chafing. It is possible that, as your breathable diapers absorb urine and begins to sag, the tendency of breathable diapers to stretch exacerbates the problem. The sagging diaper, now hanging lower, rubs more and may be the cause of your chafing.

--John

Jeff

I ensure the cloth backed diaper (Molicare) is a snug fit in the crotch and wear compression/stretch briefs with a waterproof cover. The compression/stretch briefs ensure that a soft barrier exists between the diaper and skin and give a secure fit to reduce sagging.

Greenbank

Absolutely! That cloth out cover (without tight fitting compression pants), is much rougher on the skin than plastic is.

I've use plastic disposables for decades now and almost never get chaffing or rashes from them, even without a diaper cover. Then I had to use cloth like disposables when I was in Japan earlier this year. My skin was red and swollen after just the first day. Using most any kind of barrier ointment (liberally and often), helps a lot to prevent it from getting worse. Though if you intend to use them as your main diaper I'd recommend a good snug diaper cover or compression pants as well.

My second point is that with plastic, the zinc oxide tends to cause the breakdown of the elastics along the inner leg opening, but (that) I haven't noticed that with cloth-like backing, so it's quite often a question of that day's concerns.

im super lucky that i havent had to deal with chafing since starting to wear. i have super sensitive skin, though, that is prone to acne and absecesses. i only wear plastic backed.