Fig. 1: Different diaper practices around the world throughout history (Figured made with Biorender).

a An eskimo diaper made of seal skin, found in Point Barrow, Alaska. Dated to 800–1000 AD (https://nmnh.typepad.com/rogers_archaeology_lab/2014/03/sealskinbabypants.html). b Swaddling dates from as early at 4000–4500 BC but fell out of favor in the 17th century. Depicted here are the Cholmondeley Ladies and their swaddled babies. c 1600–1610 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling). c Chuckchi of the northernmost eastern portions of Russia (approximately 500 BC – present) made fur infant dresses with a square diaper sewn on the back (https://nmnh.typepad.com/rogers_archaeology_lab/2014/03/sealskinbabypants.html). d Chinese open crotch pants were a traditional method of toileting training children, still in use mainly in rural China today (prehistoric – present) (https://www.nspirement.com/2017/07/13/paintings-of-children-by-master-su-hanchen.html). e Cradleboards with built-in holes for excreta and “urine tubes” for waste containment were used by the Kurdish (prehistoric – present) (https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/uzbeki-babies-diapers/). f Several African cultures practice skin to skin contact and elimination communication, obviating the need for diapers (prehistoric – present) (https://www.randafricanart.com/African_maternity_figures_main_page.html). g Cradleboards still in use in some indigenous cultures are used for carrying the infant and excreta containment (prehistoric – present) (https://native-american-totems.com/sacred-path-medicine/the-cradleboard-on-your-sacred-path/attachment/cradleboard/).