I know cloth diapering is not
for everyone. I have come across a few people who have honestly given
it a try and it did not work out for them. Others are intimidated by the
mere thought of washing something their child pees and poos in. I get
it. It can be a little grosser than disposables. In my experience, the
benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.
I think about the planet we all
live on. Many of us treat Earth like it has endless resources, and think
nothing of the amount of trash we drag to the curb each week.
Disposable diapers take 550 years to break down, as well as taking up a
tremendous amount of space in our landfills. On the flip side, Britain's
Environmental Agency discovered that cloth diapers actually have a
slightly higher carbon footprint than disposables when not treated
correctly.
"Using reusables and washing them at 90 degrees Celsius [194 degrees
Fahrenheit] with detergents in a half load with tumble drying can be
overall more damaging in terms of the carbon footprint than using
disposables," he explained.
I'm
not sure who does their cloth diaper laundry that way. My hot water
heater is set at 125 degrees Fahrenheit, I have an HE machine, and I
line dry my cloth diapers. I believe most people line dry their diapers
since it is much better for them. The sun also naturally removes stains
and many stink issues. Even on cloudy days stains can disappear since it
is the UV light that does the dirty work. This is why UV lights are
often used in aquariums and air conditioning systems.
More
importantly to some people is the cost. If you don't become obsessed
(good luck!), you can really spend very little on your stash of cloth
diapers. There are many swap pages online where you can purchase and
trade used cloth diapers from other moms. I have done this many times
and never been disappointed. Of course, I always make sure to wash and
inspect the diapers before putting them on my son. There are also many
cheapie diapers that you can purchase from China. While I always try to
buy items that are made in America, there are times when I can not
afford to do so. It would be easy to complete a cloth diaper stash for
under $500 to last your child from birth to potty training. You can also
use cloth wipes. Cut up receiving blankets and even wash clothes and
old towels work fine. If you go the disposable route, you will go
through 6,500 - 10,000 diapers from birth to potty training. Add
disposable wipes and you're looking at up to $4,000 in diapers and
wipes. Even with the cost of washing diapers, it is still a savings. My
water and electricity bills did not go up after my son was born and I
added cloth diaper laundry.
My last reason for using cloth diapers is to avoid all the chemicals in disposable diapers. Many of today’s disposable diapers
are bleached to make them pretty and white. This process results in a byproduct
known as dioxin. The dioxin is released into the environment and into the
diapers. Most people think nothing of this since they use bleach in their
laundry and when cleaning.
“People who have been exposed to high levels of
dioxin have developed chloracne, a skin disease marked by severe acne-like
pimples. Studies have also shown that chemical workers who are exposed to high
levels of dioxins have an increased risk of cancer. Other studies of highly
exposed populations show that dioxins can cause reproductive and developmental
problems, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. More research is
needed to determine the long-term effects of low-level dioxin exposures on
cancer risk, immune function, and reproduction and development.”
Ever wonder what the absorbant part
is in disposable diapers? It is sodium polycarbonate, made from the cellulose
of trees mixed with crystals of polyacrylate. This sodium polyacrylate is the
same chemical removed from tampons because of toxic shock syndrome concerns. In
defense of the diaper industry, tampons go inside the body, and diapers do not.
I have not found any research on the effects of sodium polyacrylate on babies.
Tributyl-tin is another chemical
found in many disposable diapers. Here is a quote from the EPA:
“TBT is an organotin compound used primarily as a
biocide in antifouling paints. It is extremely toxic to aquatic life and is an
endocrine-disrupting chemical that causes severe reproductive effects in
aquatic organisms. TBT is extremely stable and resistant to natural degradation
in water. Because of its chemical properties and widespread use as an
antifouling agent, concerns have been raised over the risks it poses to both
freshwater and saltwater organisms. The final ambient water quality criteria
document for TBT contains ambient water quality criteria designed to protect
aquatic organisms and their uses. These criteria are guidance for states and
tribes and, in themselves, have no binding legal effect. However, they may form
the basis for state water quality standards and become enforceable through
NPDES permits or other environmental programs. These TBT water quality criteria
are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).”
There are many other chemicals used in disposable diaper
including VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), fragrances, dyes, and plastics.
Many babies have sensitive skin and have reactions resulting in rashes and
discomfort. Many times, parents treat with different diaper creams before
realizing their child is allergic to the diaper itself.
Of course, the trick is... not getting addicted to all the cute prints and styles...
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