Page 25 - North State Parent April 2020

How to Choose the Best Diapers for Your Baby and the Environment
that can end up in the ecosystem. The Real Diaper Association (realdiapers.org) explains that disposable diapers contain ingredients that could harm animals, hu- mans and the environment. As the diapers sit for years in the landfill, they can leach dangerous chemicals into the soil and water, while also creating methane and other toxic gasses. There is also concern about the human feces in each diaper as it sits decomposing for years. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, disposable diapers introduce pathogens into the environment from the solid waste they contain that could seep into the water source, potentially pollut- ing drinking water.
We can’t forget about our precious trees. It’s estimated that up to 200,000 trees are lost each year to make disposable diapers in the United States alone.
Health Concerns
Materials used to make disposable diapers have also been found to cause health issues. Many traditional diaper brands contain chlorine, latex, perfumes and dyes that can cause skin irritations and rashes. More seriously, studies have found that being exposed to chlorine for an extended period can cause cancer. Next, the wood pulp core of diapers is bleached with chlorine, a process that contaminates the end-product with dioxins, which are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Finally, dis- posable diapers generate emissions that your baby can inhale and trigger asthma.
Cost Savings
Another huge benefit of using cloth diapers is the cost savings. Disposable dia- pers can start to add up. On average, children will require about eight diapers per day from the time they are born until they are potty trained. That is a total of 8,000 to 10,000 diapers! That cost comes out to an average of $4,000 per child over two years.
On the other hand, the cost of using cloth diapers and laundering them your- self is between $800 and $1,100 over three years, which is a huge savings. The other great news is that you only need to purchase the cloth diapering system once because you can reuse it for your next child. Then when you are done, you can donate them to a cloth diaper bank.
Just be cautious when choosing a brand of cloth diapers because there are many choices on the market today, and unfortunately, not all are created equal. According to Darci Crossin of Apple Blossom Baby in Chico, CA, “There are many cloth diapers on the market that work wonderfully, but with the rise in popularity, we have also seen a rise in cheap brands that don’t hold up or hold in. This can lead to more expense, more frustration, or even a switch back to disposables. It’s important to pick a reputable brand of high quality. Fortunately, there are great options at every price point.”
How to Address the Biggest Con: Energy Consumption
The biggest challenge with cloth diapers is the amount of energy consump- tion needed to wash and dry them. However, the following tips will help ensure that you stay as eco-friendly as possible when choosing cloth diapers.
1.Choose energy-efficient appliances such as those labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo. Clothes washers with this logo use 25% less energy and approxi- mately 33% less water than standard models, and the dryers use about 20% less energy.
2. Air-drythediaperswithadehumidifierinsteadofusingthedryer.
3. Purchaseasmallportablewashingmachinetowashoneday’sworthofcloth diapers. You only need to add 1-2 gallons of water for one load compared to
the 50 needed for a full-sized washer.
4. Avoid using a cloth diaper cleaning service since the transportation involved
uses large amounts of energy, and you do not have control over the type of washer and dryer units they have. Ó
Sandi Schwartz is an avid environmentalist and mom to her two nature-lov- ing children. Together as a family, they enjoy beach cleanups, visiting science museums and nature centers, and driving around in their electric car. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness and environmental issues.
Week
Young Child
The Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual celebration of young children that takes
place every April in Shasta County and in communities across the nation. WOYC was established in 1971 by the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association. This week in April
is set aside for communities to develop unique, local celebrations, for the purpose of bringing public
attention to the needs of young children
and their families, recognizing the early
childhood programs, services, and investments that meet those needs. The early years of childhood form a foundation for children’s success
in school and in life.
The Paper Doll Project provides the visual signature to Shasta County’s Week of the Young Child. Paper dolls are handcrafted by
young children and displayed
at businesses throughout Shasta
County. When displays of paper dolls appear in store fronts and lobbies, it links the generations and recognizes the importance of young children. Each paper doll is unique, decorated by a young child as an image of him/herself. Each one is a visual representation of a child in Shasta County who is full of promise and potential.
of the
first5shasta.org
April 11 - 18, 2020
PleasesayyousawitinNorthStateParentmagazine.Thishelpsusgrow!
www.northstateparent.com • April2020
25