Yes, that's right! Real (mostly) normal parents are using cloth diapers, and it is growing in popularity! I thought it was crazy when I saw it posted on an online forum over 2 years ago. Once I checked it out I could have kicked myself for not starting with cloth earlier. I had no idea the advances that had been made in cloth diapers!
Cloth diapering is no longer just prefolds, pins and crunchy plastic pants! While you can still go that route, many parents are opting for newer styles of cloth diapers like pocket diapers and all-in-one diapers.
Why Cloth?
Healthier for Baby
For our family, the most important reason to cloth diaper is because it is better for our little one's bums!
Cloth diapers are softer against your baby, and they also protect that brand new skin from the chemicals found in disposables.
Traces of the carcinogen Dioxin have been found in disposable diapers. Dioxin causes liver disease, immune system suppression and genetic damage.
Is that not enough to get you thinking about cloth? Wait, there is more!
Sodium polyacrylate was removed from tampons in 1985 because it's linked to toxic shock syndrome. Where can you find it now? That's right in disposable diapers! It is what makes them so absorbent. That is what those little gel balls are that can be found on a baby's bottom.
Some studies have suggested that disposable diapers may be linked to asthma and male infertility.
Diaper rash is rarely a problem when using cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are more breathable and cloth diapered babies are changed more often. Disposable diapers conceal the wetness, making it difficult to know how long the child has been wearing a wet diaper. This, together with the fact that disposable diapers become much hotter, allows bacteria to grow faster which can cause diaper rash. Cloth diapers are often used on babies with sensitive skin as they do not have the chemicals found in disposable diapers.
Environmentally Friendly
While it is true that cloth diapering requires energy for manufacturing and washing it is hard to dispute the positive impact made on landfills. Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills. In a house with a child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of household waste. Additionally, when flushing solids from a cloth diaper down the toilet and washing the diapers in a washing machine, the contaminated, dirty water from both toilet and washing machine go into the sewer systems where they are properly treated at wastewater plants. This treated wastewater is much more environmentally friendly than dumping untreated soiled disposable diapers into a landfill.
Save Money
On average, you will spend $2000 on disposable diapers per child. Compare that to an average of $700 for your first child's diapering years using cloth diapers. A second and third child could be diapered for free! Depending on which diaper system you use you can spend a little less or more than this amount for your first child. Buying one-sized diapers can significantly reduce the cost to diaper your child. If you are not having more children you can sell used diapers on cloth diaper web sites. Many of the popular diapers sell used for 40-50% of the original cost!
Easy To Use
The new styles of cloth diapers now available are as easy to use as a disposable diapers. If you can handle washing a few extra loads of laundry each week then you can do it!
They are adorable!
In addition to cloth diapers being soft and comfortable made of natural, chemical free, very absorbent materials they are cute and fun! You can find cloth diapers in most any color and print!
Caring For Cloth Diapers
Cloth Diapering Checklist
DISCLAIMER: If you proceed beyond this page you may become addicted to cloth diapering! Two Little Whales will not be held responsible, but we will do our best to support your newfound addiction!
