Suzanne's

Cloth Diapers

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I discovered cloth diapers with my third child. My first two wore exclusively disposable, plastic diapers. My third child had severe diaper rashes as a result of a formula allergy and switching to cloth alleviated some of the rash. I hadn't really wanted to use cloth diapers before because I was afraid to use pins. I now realize that it is nearly impossible for a pin to come unattached and stick a child, especially the way they are designed now. But, fortunately, I was able to find cloth diapers with velcro tabs, which worked similar to the way the sticky tabs on the disposable diapers worked. I switched my third daughter to cloth diapers when she was only a few months old and she wore them until she was out of diapers at age 2.

After getting used to using cloth diapers, including laundering them, I couldn't believe I didn't try them sooner. Of course, no one I knew used cloth diapers so that didn't help. I have always had a concern about disposable diapers and the environment so using cloth was a benefit in that aspect. The financial cost between the two is considerable. I figured I have spent enough money on disposables between my first two children to buy a nice used car! If you figure $10.00 per week...for 5 years (2 1/2 years for each child)...that's $2600.00! Plus the cost of chemical wipes. With cloth, the initial investment for the diapers was approximately $50.00...and that is for the velcro ones I chose to use. I realize now they are not "diaper service quality" diapers...meaning they lack in absorbency and durability. I would occasionally add to our diaper collection and replace the worn ones (mostly the velcro would wear out but the key is to reattach the velcro to the diaper before laundering so you don't get a tangled web of velcro everywhere.) Six diapers cost approximately $15.00. Add any covers and/or plastic, vinyl or nylon pants along with laundry detergent and energy used for the washer and dryer. I also used cloth wipes with water. The costs still come out way under what disposables cost. But what are the real costs?

Cloth diapers not only give a financial and environmental benefit but also a health benefit as well. The chemicals used in disposable diapers to make them super absorbent come into direct contact with the babies' genitals, including reproductive organs. The diaper packaging tells you that you may find some gel-like substance on your baby, which can be wiped off. This gel is made from a chemical, which absorbs the urine and feces to stop leaks. It's the same gel that can cause health problems to your baby...or anyone else exposed to it. The use of disposable diapers became routine in the 1950's. I wouldn't be surprised to learn if the rising rates of infertile couples in our society were directly related to the use of disposable diapers. Aside from that, comfort is another concern. Would YOU like to wear plastic underwear all day? No, of course not! We wear soft cotton or flannel or another soft material. Why shouldn't our babies be offered the same? After all, they wear their diapers nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Yes, using cloth diapers is more work if you consider the fact that you have to wash and dry them. But, to me, the extra "inconvenience" does not exceed the benefits of using cloth diapers. It's a matter of developing a system for caring for them. Learn how to properly launder the diapers. It's not difficult. I heard a comment from one of my sisters-in-laws one time, "Eeew, but they stink!" I asked her, "Have you ever used cloth diapers?" "No." It was an assumption that they stunk...that they were more hassle than they were worth. No one takes the time to look into the issue further and decide what is truly best. Plastic diapers have become the diapers of choice, mostly for convenience. Unfortunately, we all pay the price...the baby, as far as health and comfort is concerned...and the environment.

Comfort? Well, wouldn't a baby be more comfortable if he were less wet? Yes, that is why you change his diaper! The chemicals in disposable diapers absorb the wetness so the baby and parent often cannot tell when the child is wet or soiled. The child wears the diapers for a longer period of time and the parent doesn't have to change them as often. I don't see this as a benefit. Maybe for the lazy parent! Yes, you are going to change your babies' diaper more often if you use cloth...but you should anyways. I would also like to say that when my fourth child was born and I breastfed him, one indication that he was getting enough milk was to keep track of how many wet diapers he had. With disposables, it can sometimes be difficult to determine if they are wet or not. I couldn't keep an accurate measurement of how much he was wetting. Fortunately, he only wore disposables in the hospital. As soon as we arrived home, I put him in some nice, new cloth diapers that I had personally made for him (and I'm glad I made a couple different sizes because my estimates were off slightly). THEN I could tell how much he was peeing and knew he was getting enough breastmilk. But how many parents could not tell because they used disposables...and how many babies have suffered because of it? While not making enough milk to nourish a baby is very rare, it is of enough concern to head the advice of counting wet diapers during those first few days. Being able to feel the wetness is also beneficial for the toddler or preschooler who is in the process of learning to use the potty (I hate the word "training"...that's something you do to a dog). A child will know when he has wet his pants. Also the transition from cloth diapers to cloth underwear is not as drastic to the child, since he has been used the soft fabric all along. Wouldn't that make him use his underwear as diapers, since they are so similar? I have not seen that in my children because they know the difference between a diaper and undies. Lets give the children some credit here.

Yes, sometimes cloth diapers can appear bulky and sometimes they leak. Again, it's mostly a matter of putting a parent's inconvenience before a child's comfort and health. To me, there is no decision. I don't care if I have to wash the diapers by hand! They are what are best for my baby. It's also a matter of finding which diaper works best for you...and giving yourself enough time to get used to them. We've tried many different types before finding what works best to prevent leaks and provide durability and comfort.

My four youngest children have been diapered exclusively in cloth.  Had I known with my first two children what I know now, they would have been given the advantage of cloth diapers as well.

UPDATE: Do male babies who use disposable diapers have a infertility problems as adults?