A diaper is a type of underwear designed to absorb urine and prevent urine and feces from contaminating outerwear. In most cases it is used by children, astronauts, fitters, pilots, climbers, divers, bedridden patients, patients with severe mental and urological diseases.
Traditionally, a diaper is a triangular, hemmed piece of cloth or gauze folded in several layers to form a triangle. It is mainly used in caring for small children. The diaper is placed on the changing table, under the baby, so that the base of the triangle is under the baby's waist, and the top is between the legs. The top of the triangle is drawn between the baby's legs, forming a gusset and covering the genitals and clasping the legs, after which the corners of the diaper from under the waist are wrapped around the baby's waist.
Fixation is achieved either by further swaddling, when the diaper, wrapping the baby's body, presses the ends of the diaper, which are wound behind the back. Another option is to fasten the diaper with a brooch or a pin on the belly. Panty diaper, fixed with Velcro and worn like regular panties, some of them have an indicator that shows when the diaper needs to be changed.
By type of material, diapers are divided into:
- Cloth, can be:
- Triangular
- Rectangular
- Disposable - base - cellulose, absorbent material - superabsorbent, can be:
- Velcro
- No Velcro
- Reusable - both the base and the absorbent - fabric, usually in several layers, can be:
- On buttons
- No buttons
- Liners - the base is absent, its role is played by ordinary underwear, the absorbent material is superabsorbent
- Combined version - base - fabric, absorbent material - superabsorbent liners.