By Erika Blauch Rusley
If the thought of cloth diapers conjures thoughts of giant diaper pins and leaky leg openings, think again. Modern cloth diapers are just as convenient and leak-proof as their disposable counterparts, but much less expensive and far safer for babies — and for the planet.
Cloth diapers are eco-friendly
Given that the average baby will use over 6000 diapers in the first two years of life, disposables have become one of the largest sources of garbage in the U.S., amassing over 5 million tons of landfill space. Because disposables are made from a combination of synthetics and paper, they may take up to 500 years to decompose. Manufacturing disposables involves heavily treating paper pulp and combining it with plastics, glues, dyes, synthetic perfumes and sodium polyacrylate, the superabsorbent “gel” inside the diaper. This process uses far more energy and resources than the production of cloth diapers, which are usually made from organic and sustainable fabric choices such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool.
Cloth diapers are better for the baby’s health
Whiteners used to give disposables a “clean” look contain dioxin, which has been linked to a number of chronic illnesses. The synthetic chemicals in disposables have been shown to contribute to asthma and other respiratory problems. Because dirty disposables can still feel “dry,” they are not changed as often as they should be, resulting in a higher incidence of diaper rash and infection than for babies who are diapered in cloth. In addition to less incidence of diaper rash, cloth diapers also make it easier to potty train, and many cloth wearers are out of diapers by 18 months.
Cloth diapers save money
Laundering and reusing cloth diapers costs half as much per week as buying disposables for the same number of uses. Although there is the initial purchasing cost, the average cloth diaper is used between 100 and 150 times as a diaper, and then retired; after which it may be sold for reuse as a diaper for a different baby, or used wherever a soft, lint-free rag is needed.
Cloth diapering can be easy
The easiest choice for new cloth diaper users might be the hybrid diaper, which offers parents the option of using a disposable bio-degradable insert or a cloth insert. “This is the perfect gateway product to using cloth diapers full time,” says Kelly Wels, a Maine resident and the author of “Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom’s Guide To Modern Cloth Diapering.” Once the switch is made, parents can choose from a variety of systems. All-in-one cloth diapers fit exactly like disposables, incorporating a wicking fabric liner and a leak proof cover that fits around baby with a series of snaps or velcro attachments. Even diapers that require a cover are quite simple to assemble: a flexible three-pronged fastener has replaced diaper pins, and diapers, liners, and covers come in such a wide array of fittings and materials that parents are bound to find a system that is absorbent, leak-proof, and customized exactly for baby. One-size diapers adjust as baby grows, are trim fitting and easy to use. Diaper showers that affix to a toilet have made cleaning cloth diapers a snap, and the myriad accessories and laundry products that have been developed for cloth diapering make it a process quite different from the days before disposables. Cloth diaper service providers will also take care of the dirty work — a great option for exhausted parents — and one that makes cloth diapering a logical choice for any family.
