Mention the word ‘cloth diaper’ to a modern, harried urbanite and you are likely to be met with a look of shock and horror. When I tell my friends about cloth diapering, the response is usually, “But isn’t that SOOO messy and time consuming? All that laundering and poop scraping?” Despite a prejudice in our culture towards the quick-fix disposable, cloth diapers are really the only green choice when it comes to diapering. Not only are cloth diapers healthier, more economical and eco-friendly than their plastic cousins — but their ease of use and convenience has significantly improved over the last decade. Here are five great reasons to go cloth:
1. The Environment: According to a 2003 study published by Women’s Environmental Network, disposable diapers are the third largest consumer item in landfills and make up about 4 % of all solid waste. No one knows exactly how long it takes for the average disposable diaper to decompose, but it has been estimated at anywhere from 250 to 500 years. That means that the diapers you throw away today will still exist when your great, great, great grandchildren are born! Even after they are outgrown, cloth diapers can be used as rags, extending their usefulness for years.
2. Cost: Though cloth diapers cost more initially, they can be used on 100-150 times, on average. Cloth diapers can often be used for more than one child, too, so costs decline dramatically when younger siblings are born. The most expensive diaper services cost about $20 dollars a week, and the cost for home laundering diapers is dramatically less.
1. The Environment: According to a 2003 study published by Women’s Environmental Network, disposable diapers are the third largest consumer item in landfills and make up about 4 % of all solid waste. No one knows exactly how long it takes for the average disposable diaper to decompose, but it has been estimated at anywhere from 250 to 500 years. That means that the diapers you throw away today will still exist when your great, great, great grandchildren are born! Even after they are outgrown, cloth diapers can be used as rags, extending their usefulness for years.
2. Cost: Though cloth diapers cost more initially, they can be used on 100-150 times, on average. Cloth diapers can often be used for more than one child, too, so costs decline dramatically when younger siblings are born. The most expensive diaper services cost about $20 dollars a week, and the cost for home laundering diapers is dramatically less.
3. Not Your Mother’s Diapers: Forget about super-bulky diapers and leaky plastic covers! Cloth diapers have come a long way since the Boomers were babies. Today’s diapers come in every color under the sun, and pins have been replaced by clips, snaps, and Velcro closures. Numerous fit and style options make cloth diapers fun and functional.
4. Potty Train Earlier: On average, cloth diapered babies potty train a year earlier than babies who wear disposables. This is probably because disposables have a tendency to feel dry even when wet, so it takes longer for the child to realize what it feels like to be wet.
5. Better for Baby’s Skin: Because they commonly feel dry even when wet, disposables aren’t changed as often as cloth diapers. This leads to diaper rash and other skin irritations. Also, cloth diapers contain plastics and other chemicals that can cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.
4. Potty Train Earlier: On average, cloth diapered babies potty train a year earlier than babies who wear disposables. This is probably because disposables have a tendency to feel dry even when wet, so it takes longer for the child to realize what it feels like to be wet.
5. Better for Baby’s Skin: Because they commonly feel dry even when wet, disposables aren’t changed as often as cloth diapers. This leads to diaper rash and other skin irritations. Also, cloth diapers contain plastics and other chemicals that can cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.
Finding the Right Cloth Diaper for Youby Andrea McMann
Let’s face it, we are all trying to do the right thing these days, both as parents and as environmentally conscious consumers. For some, disposable diapers is the best route to go, for others - cloth diapers are the obvious choice. We are certainly not about preaching ‘the diapering gospel’ here at Inhabitots, but for those of you who opt for cloth and are confused about which cloth diaper to buy, here you go!
I have had the opportunity to test several different types of cloth diapers, and I have put together the following list of benefits and drawbacks of each of these options, along with my personal brand choice for each category.
- POCKET DIAPERS These diapers, often made out of fleece, are luxuriantly soft and very easy to use. They come in a wide variety of cute colors and don’t require covers or fasteners. They usually feature several snap closures, which make fit adjustments a breeze. The major drawback to this type is the cost. They’re quite expensive, and you’ll have to buy several different sizes before your baby is potty trained. My favorite pocket diaper is Fuzzi Bunz.
- ONE SIZE DIAPERS One size diapers are very easy to use, featuring many snaps which help the diaper to grow with your baby. They’re usually mid-priced. On the downside, if your baby is a preemie or smaller than average, these diapers likely won’t fit until she grows a bit. These diapers don’t require fasteners, but usually require covers. My brand choice for One-Size diapers is the Mother-ease® One Size Dry Diaper.
- ALL-IN-ONE DIAPERSThese diapers offer the ultimate in easy diapering. No stuffing pockets or searching for fasteners or covers. As the name suggests, these diapers are all in one piece! They come in a bunch of cool colors, too. As for drawbacks, they’re very expensive, and you’ll have to buy different sizes as baby grows. My favorite all-in-one is bumGenius™
- GDIAPERSThis revolutionary diapering system features washable covers and flushable, compostable inserts. These are a great choice for eco conscious parents who can’t or don’t want to wash a bunch of diapers or throw disposables away. I appreciated that these diapers close in the back, which makes them much harder for little hands to open. The gDiapers website is extremely helpful, featuring how-to videos and lots of tips. On the downside, they can be expensive, and they have a different feel than cloth. My daughter, who had worn cloth diapers for two years, wasn’t a big fan of the way gDiapers felt on her bottom at first. After she got used to them, she was fine.
- PREFOLDSThese diapers are definitely the most inexpensive option available. They last practically forever, with minor repairs. These diapers also grow with baby. A wide variety of fabric options exist, including bamboo, hemp, organic, and unbleached cotton. The drawbacks are that they take a bit more time to use because of the folding. They can seem confusing until you get used to them, and they also require fasteners and covers. I loved my Chinese prefold diapers.
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