The Diaper Dilemma: Reasons to Consider Choosing a Cloth Diapering System

These days, many new parents are doing their best to make environmentally sound choices for their family. Dozens of environmental sites, blogs and companies provide a wealth of information and tips on raising a green baby in an eco friendly home while living a sustainable lifestyle. Some eco friendly choices come easy- trading out old light bulbs for eco friendly fluorocarbon bulbs, recycling, using fuel more efficiently, etc. While these efforts are to be applauded; there is something plaguing the conscious of new parents everywhere-disposable diapers.





Most new parents make the choice to use disposable diapers based on the perception that cloth diapers are out-dated, unsanitary, inconvenient, gross (but all diapers are), expensive and uncomfortable. Some would argue the chemicals used to clean the diapers are more harmful to the environment than simply disposing them.





But what many of us do not know is there are now businesses that create cloth diapers systems that are not difficult to follow. Gone are the days of pins and rubber diaper covers and the awful stench left behind. Some companies such as Diaperaps, offer consumers an easier way to use cloth diapers, with covers using hook and loop tabs instead of pins and breathable fabrics in place of vinyl, and the ability to launder and sanitize the diapers easily in your own washing machine.





Good Reasons for Choosing A Cloth Diapering System


1. Natural Fibers. Cotton is the most natural diaper you can put next to your baby's skin. There is no need for gels or chemicals.


2. Mystery Ingredients. Do you know what's in a disposable diaper (there are no ingredients listed on their package)? Try this - cut a disposable diaper in half. Pour water on half and watch what happens. There are tiny chemical crystals that turn into a spongy gel when water hits them.





3. The Environment. A baby will use either 7,000 disposable diapers or 80 cotton diapers. A disposable diaper is used for 2 hours - a cloth diaper is used for 3 years. Think of all the resources used to produce a product that will last for only 2 hours and then be thrown away. Think about where all the billions of throwaway diapers are going to end up.





4. Less Diaper Rash. Studies have shown there is less diaper rash with the use of cotton diapers than with disposable diapers.





5. Disposable Diapers are Expensive! You will save about $2000 if you use cloth over disposables. While disposables are priced very cheaply for the newborn sizes, as your baby grows the diapers start costing a lot more. Use that savings towards their education!





6. Cloth Diapers are Easy To Use. In your mom's day you needed pins, rubber pants, and time to fold a long flat cloth into a diaper. Now with cotton pre-fold diapers diaper covers, it is quick and easy to change your baby.





7. Babies Potty Train Earlier when they use cotton because they can feel the wetness.





8. Cloth Diapers Use Fewer Resources. It takes a cup full of crude oil to produce the plastic for one disposable diaper.





9. Teach Your Children Well-Babies learn by imitation. You can teach them by example, the responsible way of dealing with waste. You don't just wrap it up and throw it away.





10. Change Diapers Less Often. This is music to the ears of any parent with a child in diapers. Because they are made from natural materials, cloth diapers can be changes every 3 hours as opposed to every 2 hours required with disposable diapers.





The Bottom Line (no pun intended): The choice to use a cloth diapering system or disposable diapers is not an easy one to make. Some have found success using a combination of both! In any case, it is important to research both options and make the best decision for your family.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Rachael Flug is a mother of 3, the inventor of Diaperaps® diaper covers and the President of Diaperaps, a leader in the diaper industry for over 20 years and continues their commitment to creating healthy, comfortable and environmentally friendly products for babies.