The thought of switching to cloth diapers from disposable can be downright terrifying for many parents today, but the fact of the matter is that cloth diapers have been around a whole lot longer than these disposable environment-killers have.
When one thinks of cloth diapers, they think of messiness. They think of laundry. They think of pins and folding and confusion. Cloth diapers today are just as easy to use as disposables – all it takes is a bit of practice and finding the cloth diaper that works best for you and your child.
Why Should I Bother Making the Switch?
Think about how many diapers you go through every day with your baby. Most babies go through 8 to 14 diapers A DAY, which is about 70 diapers per week, which is close to 4000 diapers a year. Now count the babies you know on your block, and then the next block over, and then the next block over… The quantity of diapers that end up in a landfill each year is astounding- well over 27 billion in total.
Now THAT’S a lot of waste. It’s also a lot of money being spent on something that is completely unnecessary!
Disposable diapers also contain a large amount of chemicals that can be harmful and detrimental to our babies. If you notice your child having any sort of skin irritation or if they already do have sensitive skin, switching to a cloth diaper is a no-brainer.
How do I Choose a cloth Diaper?
Cloth diapers come in a number of different designs. Some of the more popular choices out there are:
Flats: “Flat” diapers are one-layer diapers that are made out of cotton gauze. These are the old fashioned “pinning” style of diapers, which makes them an unpopular choice despite them being extremely absorbent and fitting many different size and ages of babies.
Prefolds: Prefolds are a popular choice of cloth diaper since can adjust the size of the diaper quite easily and even the absorption of the diaper (so you can fold the diaper differently if your child is getting ready for a nap or for his or her nighttime sleep). Prefolds can be pinned, snapped together, or even folded to stay on.
Fitteds: Fitteds are my personal favorite, and are perhaps the best choice for those parents who are trying to make the transition from a disposable diaper to a cloth diaper. Fitteds are just like a disposable diaper, as they have elastic at the legs and look just like a disposable. They have Velcro or snap fasteners, can be plain or have a cute print, and are made from a wide array of materials.
Though buying cloth diapers initially will be an investment (you may find yourself spending $100-$150 on cloth diapers), consider the long-term savings. These diapers can last you a year or two. You will be saving thousands of dollars, the environment, and most importantly your baby’s health by making the switch!
photo by Jonathan Werner
