This Earth Day, parents and parents-to-be may be considering one simple choice that can have a big impact in making the planet, and their children, healthier. That choice is the basic decision of whether to use cloth or disposable diapers. To make the decision easier, here are a few facts and resources of the benefits of cloth diapers:
Keeping diapers out of landfills
Estimates from inhabitant.com tell us that as many as 20 billion disposable diapers end up in landfills each year. It can take hundreds of years for diapers to degrade once they hit those landfills, and they release methane and other toxic gases into the air. According to Lisa Carey at The Green Diaper Store in Southern California, keeping those diapers out of the landfills is just one of many clear benefits to using cloth diapers instead of disposable ones.
Keeping baby comfortable and healthier
Disposable diapers are bleached white with chlorine, which creates dioxin. The EPA lists dioxin as one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals. While only traces remain in disposable diapers, that is still enough for many parents to say yes to healthier cloth.
Pediatricians recommend frequent diaper changing to keep baby’s skin dry and comfortable, and to prevent diaper rash. Because disposable diapers absorb so much liquid, parents tend to leave them on the baby for much longer than recommended.
Easier to use and affordable
Cloth diapers are easier to use than ever. These days, you don’t need to use pins unless you prefer them. There are dozens of choices of diapers and waterproof covers so you can find the combination that fits your baby best and works best for your lifestyle.
Using cloth diapers is great for your wallet too! Using disposables can cost between $2,500-$4,000 from birth to potty training. Depending on the cloth diaper system you choose you will save $1,500-$2,500 diapering one child.
The best part is that you can either reuse your cloth diapers on a second, or even a third child to save even more. When you are done with them, you can sell them or give them to someone else, making the cloth choice very affordable.
Green Diaper Store’s website is full of information about how to choose cloth diapers, how to fold and wash them, even how to sew some yourself. It also sells a wide variety of products, including bamboo disposable diapers, for times like travel when using cloth diapers is not an option.
Dandy Lions in Red Bluff and Apple Blossom Baby in Chico have swim diapers and fun patterns for diaper covers.
Eco by Naty offers diapers made with renewable, compostable, health-conscious materials and has a diaper subscription program available online.
Posted in: Birth and Toddlers
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