Why Cloth?
Why on earth would I want to use cloth diapers? Contrary to popular belief, cloth diapering is not troublesome, will help save you money, is much better for the enviroment, and much more comfortable and better for your baby.
1. Cloth diapers are more cost effective. Cloth diapering does require a larger initial cash outlay, but you will not have to keep spending money. Once you buy your diapers, that is it. They are designed to last over 200 washings or more. These diapers can then either be resold (there a very good resale market for cloth diapers) or if the diapers are in too bad of a condition, you can use them for cleaning cloths around the house.
2. Cloth diapers are just as convenient as disposables. With the advent of fitted and all in one diapers, cloth diapering is no longer seen as a chore.
3. Cloth diapers are softer and more comfortable. Would you rather have gel, paper, and wood pulp between your legs or would you like soft cotton, flannel, terry or fleece?
4. Cloth diapering has been proven to lower the incidence of diaper rash. Why? Cloth is breathable and the temperature within cloth diapers is between 1 and 3 degrees less than that of a disposable diaper. This is especially important for male children as their sterility in later years may be affected by this.
5. Cloth diapering is better for the enviroment. You are not using gas to run to the store, you are using fewer trees, fewer fossil fuels. Yes, you will be washing diapers, on average three extra loads a week, but if you use the smallest load possible for the size, use hot water set at 120 rather than higher, etc., then you will continue to save. If you go so far as to hang your diapers out to dry (which is good, it helps remove stains, it helps to disinfect them,whiten them,etc) then you will save even more in terms of electricity.
6. With cloth diapers you can either save them for the next child you have or you can resell them in online auctions: ebay, wahmall, and mothers nature, or you can place them for sale on one of the swap boards or for sale boards like those located at Amitymamas, Gotbreastmilk, Parents Place, AOL. Can you imagine trying to save a used disposable diaper, or even worse resell of used disposable diaper? Not hardly!
7. Cloth diapers lower the risk of childhood asthma. There are several studies out that seem to show a link between asthma and the fumes that outgase from disposables. Do you want your child exposed to these fumes 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 2-4 years?
8. Consider the expense. The least expensive means of cloth diapering would be good quality prefolds and good covers. With this system you could diaper a child from start to finish for about $150. This is with the highest quality prefolds and excellent quality covers plus an all in one or two for emergencies. You can cloth diaper a child with fitted diapers and covers for around $400-$500 start to finish with good to high quality. You can do ALL all in ones of good to excellent quality from start to finish for $600-800. Then the diapers can be saved for the next child or resold. I have found that for my better quality diapers can be resold for between 40-60% of the original purchase price.
9. Cloth diapered children tend to potty train earlier than those in disposables.
10. You never run out of cloth diapers in the middle of the night. You always have cloth diapers at home.
If you choose to use cloth it doesn't meant that you cant use disposable diapers when traveling or when the kids go to grandma's house. However, I think you will find that once you have the right system worked out that it is just as easy and more economical to just use cloth all the time. I have found that church nurseries and daycares will use cloth is you use All in Ones. Some will use cloth when you provide fitteds with covers. The biggie is that it does not take up too much time. The newer AIO's do not take any longer than a disposable.
We have become a disposable society. Let's change that - one baby and one family at a time!
Also check out www.diaperpin.com/diaper_info/article_diaperdrama.asp
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