As a first time mom I did not know that I had to make a decision on
how to diaper my baby and even that cloth was an option. No one in my
family used them, none of my friends (at the time) used them and I
certainly skipped that part of my registry. I assumed that if I
walked into Babies R Us that they had everything I would need, little
did I know there was a small boutique baby store adjacent that I
could have seen all my options for cloth.
In hindsight, I
spent way too much time worrying about the colours and theme for the
nursery, what brand of stroller and car seats were the best that I
forgot one of the most important decisions I had… how to diaper my
baby! It took me 5 months of midnight store runs, counting diapers
and wipes for the week, spending way too much money for my family and
all for something I was throwing in the garbage. I did some research
into organic disposable diapers, which in turn I spent even more
money on but it made me feel I was making a better decision for my
baby’s health. I calculated how much it was going to cost to diaper
my child for the next few years and a decided to jump head first into
the world of cloth diapers. It was a large upfront cost, which I
could have avoided if I would have known earlier and started buying
slowly for our stash. I could have even put them on my registry as a
cloth diaper that can be used hundreds of times is much more useful
than most of the stuff I had received at my baby shower.
Disposable diapers
were only invented 50 years ago, as a convenience and luxury item for
families used only for those special occasions like vacation trips,
visits to the parents or the doctor. It was not common to see a baby
wearing a disposable diaper, which is the exact opposite in this day
and age. It is not like cloth diapers are a new invention just
catching on, the industry of cloth has just been perfected with easy
snaps and even inserts that agitate out on their own.
We all know cloth is better for the
environment. But did you know there are many other reasons that more
and more parents are choosing cloth diapers today (yes, in the 21st
century!!). These are only the top ten reason why moms and dads
should consider cloth diapering their baby. Once you actually give
them a try, you will discover many more. Promise!
1. Cloth diapers
have come a long way!
Chances are you
wouldn’t even recognize them today. Cloth diapers have evolved to
such an extent over the last ten years that many rival disposables
any day. In fact, if you were to put an All-In-One cloth diaper next
to a disposable, you would find very little difference in bulk, size
and function.
2. Cloth diapers
are more economical!
Disposable diapers
become very expensive when you consider a 2-3 year diapering period.
They can only be used once and are then tossed away. They cannot be
used for a second (or more) child. You can cloth diaper one baby for
3 years for as little as $400!! That’s a savings of $2500
(considering the average family spends $2800-3000 in disposable
diapers over 3 years) for one child. Now, how much would you save if
you had 2 or 3 more babies? Yes, that could mean a savings of almost
$8000!! By the way, that initial $400 you spend on cloth diapers? Due
to their excellent resale value, you may be able to get as much as
70% of the money spent on cloth diapers back on an auction site. Try
doing that with your used disposables!
3. Babies are
healthier in cloth diapers!
Disposable diapers
contain many chemicals, poisons (TBT tributyl tin), dioxins (which
are highly carcinogenic) and even perfumes and dyes that are all
harmful to your baby and lead to diaper rash. The majority of babies
in cloth tend to have less diaper rash as cloth diapers are more
breathable and have none of the harmful chemicals or bleaches found
in disposables. The gel that is used in disposables to absorb and
hold in moisture is known as Sodium Polyacrylate. This substance has
been found in the urinary tract of babies and may cause severe diaper
rash, chemical burns, and bleeding in the perineum and scrotal
tissue. Sodium Polyacrylate was removed from tampons because of its
link to Toxic Shock Syndrome!! There are also many studies that have
been done to show a direct link between using disposable diapers and
childhood asthma as well as an increase in infertility in boys.
Considering we have alternatives that are so easy to use today, why
take the risk?
4. Cloth diapers
are more reliable and less messy than disposables!
Yes, I am talking
about leaks and those “poo-splosions”! With a correctly fitted
cloth diaper the majority of moms experience less leaking than you
get with using disposables. New, modern cloth diapers and covers are
so customizable that you have the ability to get a perfect fit on
your baby each and every time. Think you will have too much washing
to do using cloth? I guarantee it’s no more (maybe even less!) than
with disposables. It's a little known secret that the “poo-splosions”
that occur from leaky solids are actually contained better in cloth.
Disposable diapers have a slippery surface to them which causes a
"slip and slide" effect with messy, leaky solids. It's not
pretty, and can cause more laundry then a load of cloth diapers.
5. Cloth is more
comfortable!
Would you like to
wear paper underwear all day? Soft cotton or bamboo next to a baby’s
tender skin is much more comfortable than paper and plastic. Babies
also tend to be changed more frequently in cloth diapers, as opposed
to single use disposable diapers, because moms are aware of when baby
is actually wet. Just because a disposable “feels” dry, does not
mean a baby is not sitting in urine. It just happens to be dry,
crystallized urine. And, with the new microfleece fabric used as
liners in cloth diapers today, your baby will not have wetness
against their skin. The liquid is wicked away to the cotton diaper
underneath, keeping baby feeling dry keeping rashes and ammonia burns
at bay.
6. Cloth diapering
is quick and EASY!
Yes, I said easy!
The concept of convenience is a marketing ploy that disposable
manufacturers use. They don't want you to know how easy cloth
diapering really can be! With new, modern cloth diapers and the many
accessories available today, cloth diapering is easy. And it takes no
more time to change your baby and run a load of laundry than it does
to change your baby, get baby dressed to leave the house, put baby in
a jacket, find that second shoe, fasten baby in car seat, take baby
out of car seat, go into the store, weave through the store to get to
the disposable aisle...wait a minute? This seems like way more work
to me! Cloth diapers really is only an extra load of laundry every
2-3 days, and you are doing it anyways so why not save some money.
7. Cloth Diapering
is Fun!
With all the
choices in diapers, fabrics, fun prints and colors to choose from and
that fact that we can do away with pins, diapering is actually fun!
The majority of moms that are cloth diapering love to talk about
cloth diapers and how much they enjoy using them. They love to show
them off! I don’t know anyone who feels this way about disposables.
I know I have been THAT mom who shows off her baby’s cute fluff
butt on many occasions, who needs pants when you have an adorable
diaper.
8. Babies look
adorable in cloth diapers!
Cloth diapers are a
modern baby's fashion statement! And modern moms love to shop for
cloth diapers. There are so many choices in cloth diapers today. With
all the styles, prints and colors, babies look adorable in cloth!
Show your little one off in a soft, comfy, adorable cloth diaper! You
can even get them customized with ruffles, embroidered with birth
stats or a funny saying or add a patch for your favourite sports
team. The possibilities are endless!
9. Potty learning
is easier!
It is a little
known fact that cloth diapered children potty learn earlier and with
less effort on the part of the parent. Again, cloth diapers are
saving our families time! As children are actually aware of the
sensation of urinating, the average child that is cloth diapered
typically potty learns faster than their disposable diapered friends.
10. Cloth diapers
are better for the environment!
Okay, I just had to
throw this in! But you know it’s true!! The average baby will go
through 6,000 – 10,000 disposable diapers before potty learning.
That is a lot of diapers that end up in our landfills and they are
said to take over 500 years to decompose. Cloth diapers are less
taxing on the environment even when taking the amount of water and
energy used to make and wash them.
There it is, 10 very good reason to
choose cloth! Whether you choose to do it full time, part time or
even use a diaper service. You are expecting, your baby is 6 months
old or even a toddler, it’s never too late to start. It is our
responsibility to show our children how to be environmentally
conscious, cloth diapers can be your door into a healthier home. Who
knows, maybe in 50 years the tables will turn once again and
disposable diapers will be the “luxury” item! I know I didn’t
like having to make those tedious midnight runs to buy a pack of
diapers, I just have to start a load of laundry.
If you would like to learn more about
your diapering choices or have questions regarding cloth diapers
please feel free to send me an email! I am happy to discuss cloth and
tell you about how easy, cute and fun they really are.
xoxo
Janice
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