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by: Heather Eckstein
If you are wondering why anyone would use cloth diapers, here are the answers you're looking for! We have the facts and we have the information you need to get started using cloth diapers. This page also has some excellent information to pass on others who may consider the switch to cloth.
3 Reasons to Use Cloth Diapers
#1 Cloth is better for Baby
It’s true! Cloth diapers are better for your baby in many ways. Consider the components of a disposable diaper:
Polyethylene Film
Cellulose
Polypropylene film
Sodium Polyacrylate
and many others...
Dioxin, one of the most toxic cancer-linked chemicals, is a byproduct of the bleaching process used in disposable diapers.
Some of the chemicals emitted from disposable diapers have been shown to trigger asthma. These chemicals include tolune, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and isopropylbenzene, among others. These chemicals are bronchial irritants.
In addition, there is evidence that disposable diapers may lead to male infertility because of the increase in scrotal temperature caused by the plastic lining inside the diapers.
Disposable diapers also cause diaper rash for many babies due to the irritants in the diapers and the processes used to manufacture them.
More information:
NEW TESTS CONFIRM TBT POISON IN PROCTER & GAMBLE'S PAMPERS: GREENPEACE DEMANDS
Disposable diapers blamed for male infertility-KGTV-TV Health Center
Baby Boys Benefit From Cotton Diapers
Why choose cloth diapers? Real Diaper Association Diaper Facts.
Diaper Decisions: Your hub for cloth diapering information!
#2 Cloth is better for your wallet
As an example, let’s assume that you have one child in diapers and estimate that the child is in diapers for 2 ½ years. Using disposable diapers (for this example we used brand name diapers purchased from a leading discount retailer) will cost over $2,000 for one child.
If you use cloth diapers for the same period of time, you could spend as little as $400. The cheapest way to get started in cloth diapers would be to use prefolds and covers. If these are purchased used, the cost drops even more! Of course, once you get started in cloth diapers you will soon discover that there are MANY wonderful diapers to choose from. Laundering cloth diapers is also economical, especially if you do it at home. The savings are incredible when you consider that cloth diapers retain a resale value (try THAT with disposable diapers) and can be resold to recoup a portion of the initial investment. Cloth diapers can also be reused by your next child!
More information:
The Top Ten Reasons To Cloth Diaper - Cut of Cloth
Expensive to Wash Cloth Diapers?
Diaper Decisions: Your hub for cloth diapering information!
Do Cloth Diapers Seem Too Expensive
#3 Cloth is better for the environment
A baby will use about 5,000-7,000 disposable diapers before they are potty-trained. These diapers contribute 2 tons of non-biodegradable waste per baby. By using cloth diapers, you can help to keep our landfills, and parking lots, free of dirty diapers. You can also help even more by using cloth baby wipes instead of disposable wipes. They are easier to use too!
What about the cost of energy used to wash all of these cloth diapers? I’m glad you asked! You can diaper your baby for 2 ½ years using only 48-72 cloth diapers. This adds only 2-3 loads of laundry per week if you wash your own diapers. You use about 1/4 of the recommended amount of detergent when washing cloth diapers. This is far better for the environment when you compare the energy used to manufacture (and dispose of) disposable diapers.
More information:
Diaper Decisions: Your hub for cloth diapering information!
Wired News: The Poop on Eco-Friendly Diapers
Why choose cloth diapers? Real Diaper Association Diaper Facts.