Cloth vs Disposable Diapers

The Benefits of Cloth Diapers Over Disposable Diapers.

Comfortable

Cloth diapers are made from cozy, breathable fabrics like velour, microfleece that surround your little one with softness. Many cloth diapers also have moisture-wicking inner fabrics to provide a stay-dry feeling on baby's bum. No plastic to rub against tender skin or crunchy corners to dig into baby like disposable diapers have.

Health

The fabric used in cloth diapers allows for increased airflow inside the diaper which helps prevent diaper rash and keeps baby cooler. Disposable diapers contain chemicals, paper, and plastic, and have been reported to cause allergic reactions among other serious health problems. Cloth diapers are a more natural choice and are available in organic fabrics that are either untreated, or minimumally treated with chemicals. Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC) HealtheHouse has more information about the health implications of cloth vs disposable diapers.

Another issue frequently brought up in cloth diapering circles is dioxin exposure. According to a Mothering Magazine article, entitled "The Joy of Cloth Diapers" "Dioxin, which in various forms has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and skin diseases, is a by-product of the paper-bleaching process used in manufacturing disposable diapers, and trace quantities may exist in the diapers themselves."

Economical

Setting up a cloth diaper stash is a big investment, but will save you money in the long run. Depending on the cloth diapering system you choose, you can save from RM 1,000 - RM 2,000 from birth to potty learning by choosing to use cloth instead of disposable diapers.

By using cloth diapers, you save money with each diaper change. The money saved on diapers can support another area of your family's finances. Below is a report about Disposable Diapers from Consumer Reports in USA.

Environmental

Many parents initially look at cloth diapering for environmental reasons -- and with good cause! The Women's Environmental Network in Europe has done some great work in furthering the use of cloth diapers in Europe through educating the public about the amount of waste generated by disposables. Based on a report from the Women's Environmental Network, The Real Diaper Association reports:

• Disposable diapers are the third most common consumer product in landfills today.
• A disposable diaper may take up to 500 years to decompose.
• One baby in disposable diapers will contribute at least 1 ton of waste to your local landfill.

Disposable diapers leave a trail of waste and pollution from manufacture to disposal - an average of 2.7 tons of non-biodegradable waste each year, not counting the waste produced during their production. Disposable diaper packaging instructs parents to dump solid waste into the toilet and flush it away, but most parents do not. This means that human fecal matter is going into our landfills where it can leach into groundwater and possibly spread disease. Cloth diapers release solid waste where it belongs - into the sewage system where it is treated with other household waste water. And, cloth diapering products can be used until their diapering life is over, made into rags, then will eventually break down to return to the earth.

"An estimated 3.1 million tons of disposable diapers were generated in 1997, or 1.4 percent of total MSW generation. (This tonnage includes an adjustment for the urine and feces contained within the discarded diapers.) The materials portion of the diapers includes wood pulp, plastics (including the super-absorbent materials now present in most diapers), and tissue paper. No significant recycling or composting of disposable diapers was identified in 1997."

Easy to use

Today's cloth diapers are very easy to use and care for! Most types have elasticized legs and waists, and easy to use closures so they work just like disposables. Different products are available to fit the individual needs of your child and family. Check out Types of Cloth Diaper for detailed information about modern cloth diapering choices.

Fun and Cute

Once you try cloth diapers, you'll be in love with them! There are so many different styles, fabrics, designs, and embellishments available that it's easy to fall in love with cloth diapers. Diaper sets offer cloth diapers with matching dresses or shirts for an adorable ensemble - something you'll never see with disposable diapers. Experiment with different cloth diapering systems for variety, or stick to one for simplicity. Either way, cloth diapers are tons of fun!