Cloth Diapers Old Myths & New Realities By JK McNeeley ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

  When one is unfamiliar with cloth diapers, often the first thoughts that come to mind are problems such as leaking, dealing with diaper pins, toilet-dunking requirements, stinky diaper pails and the expense of washing or diaper services. However, these are simply old myths. Today, the decision to use cloth diapers not only proves to be convenient and cost effective, it is an environmentally and health-conscious decision as well.

Myth #1: Cloth diapers leak.
Truth: Just like any disposable diaper, a cloth diaper will leak if it is left on too long. Once any diaper is saturated, it leaks. If a parent changes a child's diaper soon after it is soiled, leaking is not a problem. If a child cannot be changed after each wetting (i.e. during long car rides, while on vacation, when there is a lack of changing facilities, etc.), disposable diapers may be the better choice because they will keep long-term wetness and irritation away from the child's skin.

Myth # 2: Diaper pins are necessary.
Truth: Although modern diaper pins are sturdier and easier to manipulate than ones of the past, diaper pins are rarely needed with modern cloth diapers. One-size-fits all cloth diapers (and their companion – sagging, leaking rubber over-pants) are outdated. Modern diapers snugly conform to the baby and stay in place with elastic-edged wraps held firmly with Velcro or adjustable plastic snaps. Several diaper options exist, including varieties that are shaped to fit perfectly into their outer wrap and “all-in-one” diapers that have the cover sewn on. Parents can select from a vast choice of sizes, styles and brands, as well as colors, patterns and designs.

Myth #3: Cloth diapers must be dunked into the toilet.
Truth: Although most parents are unaware of it, disposable diapers require toilet dunking, but cloth do not. The instructions on a package of Huggies diapers (distributed by Kimberly-Clark) include the statement, “When disposing of soiled diaper, empty contents into toilet.” Yet, less than one percent of households in the United States do so. Technically, it is illegal to put human waste into the trash. Washing cloth diapers sends the waste to the same location as toilet waste – through the sewage system for proper sanitary treatment. For those who still prefer to toilet dunk, several devices are available to allow hands-free toilet dunking of diapers.

Myth #4: Cloth diapers mean stinky diaper pails.
Truth: If diapers are washed regularly (once or twice a week), stench is easily contained inside a lidded diaper pail. For sensitive noses, many types of natural disk and spray deodorants exist, some specifically are made for diaper pails. Sprinkling baking soda inside the diaper pail works well, and even the well loved Diaper Genie can be used with cloth diapers. Simply remove the diapers from the bag and wash them instead of tossing them into the trash. Some parents skip the diaper pail all together. After doing the household wash in the morning, they fill the washer halfway with water and add some Borax. Following each diaper change, dirty diapers are simply tossed in to soak. The washer lid, Borax and water keep stench to a minimum, and the cleaning process starts to immediately reduce stains.

Myth #5: Cloth diapers are more expensive.
Truth: Even when the cost of electricity, gas and water are added to the cost of purchasing cloth diapers, the expense of washing cloth is still cheaper than purchasing disposables. By most estimates, a family stands to save at least $700 when using cloth over the first year of the baby's life. Note: most estimates actually put this figure at $1,000 to $1,200 or more.) These savings increase with each year as the child grows. In addition, the arrival of sibling babies does not require additional purchases because the same diapers can continue to be used. Appropriately cleaned, cloth diapers also double as spit-up rags, extra padding, a makeshift pillow or blanket, or even a quick washcloth or towel in a pinch. Once the children are potty trained, cloth diapers make excellent cleaning rags – they are gentle on cars and durable enough for vigorous household spring-cleaning.

    Diaper services are an option, as well. However, diaper services are not abundantly available in the United States. Their cost figures generally place them as less expensive than disposables but more expensive than home washing. In some areas, this is not true and the diaper service is the more expensive option.

Energy Concerns
    With the washing of diapers comes added energy and water usage. In this arena, disposable diapers do win because they use less energy and create less water waste to manufacture. While diaper services are more energy efficient than home laundering, they are also less efficient than the manufacturing of disposable diapers. However, if home-laundered diapers are line-dried, energy use is cut sufficiently enough to make cloth the more efficient option (Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers, Franklin Associates, Ltd., 1992). Line drying also reduces wear on cloth diapers and increases their usage life. In addition, line drying utilizes the sun, a natural stain remover and whitener. Of course, this option is not available to everyone because some jurisdictions do not allow outdoor clotheslines and some yards are not large enough to accommodate a clothesline.

Other Facts
Disposable diapers make up four percent of the garbage in our landfills. They are the third single most disposed-of item in our landfills. However, disposable diapers not only are a problem for our environment, they also can be harmful to the babies wearing them. Chemical-laden disposable diapers:
•  contain trace amounts of carcinogens
•  may lead to a high rate of allergic reactions and rashes
•  contain chemicals to increase absorption rate; these chemicals are the same as those blamed for “toxic shock”     in tampons (which were removed from tampons in the 1980s)
•  have been linked to increased risk of infertility in adults who wore disposable diapers as infants
•  can cause asthma and asthma-like symptoms in children
[These facts were obtained from www.RealDiaperAssociation.Com (Diaper Facts. 2004, 2005.) and The Diaper Debate: Are Disposables as Green as Cloth? (Amanda Onion. ABC.com. 2006. ABC News Internet Ventures).]

Purchasing Cloth Diapers
A number of online companies offer cloth diapers and accessories. Cloth diapers are made from a variety of fibers including Egyptian cotton, Asian cotton, hemp and wool. Both bleached fiber and unbleached fiber options are available. Sizes and thicknesses vary to suit the needs of infants, toddlers or late-trainers, and they even come in sizes to fit larger children (for small bladder or bed wetting problems) or adults (for bladder control problems).

The Bottom Line
Before using disposable diapers, review your cloth-diapers options and values. Although cloth diapers require an initial financial investment, the choice to use them may be less expensive in the long run.

JK McNeeley is the mother of four children who were raised in cloth diapers. She sells cloth diapers and other eco-friendly products as a consultant for Natural Family Boutique. For more information, visit her website, www.MomsHelpingHand.com or e-mail her at Jen_McZoo@MSN.Com.

Photo ©Nancy Louie.