Why should I use cloth diapers?

• Cost Savings: While the initial, upfront investment seems intimidating, the overall, long term cost of cloth diapering is far less than the cost of buying disposable diapers. Flat or prefold cloth diapers are the least expensive option. They come in two sizes - infant and regular - (36 diapers x 2 sizes x $ 30/doz), you'll need waterproof covers (4-6 covers x 3 sizes x $10/cover) and something to secure the diapers with (pins or Snappis®). With prefold cloth diapers, you'll be able to diaper your baby from birth through potty training for less than $400! The second least expensive option would be to use one-size all-in-one diapers. Super easy to use, these cloth diapers grow with your child from 8-35 lbs. At less than $20/each, you'll be able to purchase 3 dozen one-size all-in-ones for approximately $700. If you wanted added flexibility, you can get a combination of half fitted cloth diapers plus covers and half pocket style diapers or all-in-ones. Depending on the brands and styles you choose, you will spend between $1000-$1800. According to most widely-accepted estimates, you'll spend $2000-3000 to keep your baby in disposable diapers until they are completely potty trained. As an added bonus, your cloth diapers can be used for multiple children, essentially cutting your cost per child in half. Cloth diapers have a high resale value places like Diaper Swappers and eBay. For more information on cloth diapering costs, visit the Modern Mommy Gear Cloth Diaper Cost Comparison chart.
• Better for Baby: With cloth diapers, baby's sensitive skin does not come in contact with harsh chemicals. Disposable diapers are made with absorbent gel crystals, whereas cloth diapers put soft, natural fibers next to baby's skin (Would you want to wear paper, or worse, plastic underwear?). Cloth diapers do not retain heat like disposables do and allow for better air circulation. As a result, cloth diapered babies experience far fewer diaper rashes, which has unequivocally been our experience. Most disposable diaper commercials tout "baby stays drier" because the absorbent gel crystals pull moisture away from baby's skin. Since cloth diapered babies can feel moisture, they potty train quicker and easier than babies who use disposable diapers. The argument for using disposable diapers because baby feels dry longer (when she isn't) puzzles me. Are you really trying to keep your baby in a wet diaper? When she's wet, change her into a dry diaper so she's more comfortable.
• Better for the Environment: Generally, the argument comes down to this - Is the water spent washing cloth diapers more harmful to the environment than collecting human waste in non-biodegradable diapers, and burying it in a landfill? There have been a number of "studies" performed to answer this question. If there is one thing I took home from my statistics class at Dear Ole CU, it is this: If you know where to look, you can find a statistic that supports your belief. As a responsible consumer, it is your responsibility to determine if the study was relevant, un-biased and statistically significant. As you read articles on the pros and cons of cloth diapering, consider the source of the study (do you really believe a study commissioned by a disposable diaper company will conclude cloth diapering is better for the environment than using disposables?). Look at the sample. Were there equal number of cloth diaper users and disposable diaper users (one widely cited British study compared 2000 disposable diaper users to 117 cloth users. Seriously? Do you think that is treating both sides fairly)? Finally, find out which study is relevant to your personal concerns. Chemicals? Waste? Water? Trees? Pesticides? Diaper rash? Potty training? Spend your time evaluating the studies that matter to you.
  
  For us, the choice to cloth diaper our son was simple.
  • Both cloth diapers and disposable diapers are manufactured from raw materials. With cloth diapers, cotton, hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and wool are generally harvested. These resources are replenished quicker than when a forest full of mature trees are cut down to make paper products. Winner=Cloth
  • Both cloth and disposable diaper manufacturers have to transform the raw material into a usable form: paper, plastic or fabric. The manufacturing facilities are going to use water and energy, and unfortunately, generate waste and pollution. Winner=Tie
  • Plastic is not biodegradable. Period. Some people say it takes 100 years. Some say 500 years. Wrong. Plastic just breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, but never completely dissolves. Yes, washing diapers uses water. But do you buy disposable clothes and use disposable cups and plates to save water but kill trees? One extra load of laundry every three days uses about as much water as a toilet trained child flushing the toilet six times a day. Winner=Cloth
  • At 6-10 diaper changes a day for 2-3 years, Levi would consume 4000-10,000 disposable diapers. Or at most, 100 cloth diapers that can be used on a second child or resold to another family, then eventually used as household rags, until they someday end up in a landfill. 100 vs 6000? Winner=Cloth
  • There are a number of studies reporting that the chemicals contained in disposable diapers are toxic, including trace amounts of dioxin, a by-product of the bleaching process that is banned in many countries due to its carcinogenic nature. Other studies indicate a higher chance of asthma and a reduced sperm count when lab animals are exposed to disposable diapers. Perhaps the study design was flawed, the sample size low, or lab animal behavior doesn't adequately represent human outcomes. However, if there is slight increase of risk to my precious little boy, why take the chance. There are no known health risks with cloth diapers. Winner=Cloth
  
  
  I encourage you to seek as much information as you can about cloth diapers, to help you make the right decision for your family.
  Consider reading some of the following articles or books:
  • Analysis of Environmental Agency Study in England by Dr Alan Greene<
  • The Politics of Diapers: a Timeline of Recovered History published by Mothering Magazine
  • Diaper Facts published by The Real Diaper Association includes well documented footnotes for further review of the actual studies and articles
  • Study on human exposure to dioxin by Green Peace
  • Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women's Sanitary Products and Disposable Diapers: What You Can Do About It
  by Liz Armstrong
  • Women's Environmental Network of UK response to The Environment Agency of the UK's "Life Cylce Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK" study.
  • Diaper Pin Cost Calculator

Giant safety pins and rubber pants? I don't want to put those on my baby.

How many do I need to get started?

• If you are choosing flat or prefold cloth diapers, there are two sizes, infant and regular. I recommend 24-36 in each size, plus 4-6 diaper covers in each size.
• If you are choosing all-in-one one-size cloth diapers or pocket style one size cloth diapers, I recommend 36 diapers total.
• If you are choosing sized all-in-one or pocket style cloth diapers, I recommend the following the diaper chart above to purchase the suggested number of diapers in each size.
• If you are choosing a combination of fitted/covers plus pockets/all-in-ones, then I recommend taking the recommended quantity listed on the diaper chart above and purchasing half of the suggested quantity in each style (For a newborn, getting 10-18 fitted/contour plus 3-4 diaper covers AND 10-18 pocket/AIO).
• If you have a very small baby (less than 7-8 pounds), you may want to consider purchasing a set of 12-24 newborn/tiny/x-small diapers until your baby comfortably fits in the small size. An ill-fitting, loose diaper will be prone to leaks.

Cloth Diapering seems like a big commitment. I don't know if I'm ready to give up disposable diapers completely.

Cloth Diapering seems gross and messy...

How do I wash cloth diapers?

• If you are exclusively breastfeeding, there's no need to dunk, soak or rinse the diaper beforehand. Breastfed babies have bowel movements with virtually no odor, and rinse off easily in the wash.
• If your baby is eating solids, you may want to shake the solids off into the toilet before storing in a dry pail or bag until laundry day. This helps with odors in the nursery.
• Bleach should not be used on cloth diapers, as it breaks down the fabric.
• Fabric softeners should not be used on cloth diapers, as it creates a film that repels moisture - defeating the purpose of your absorbent cloth diapers! So do optical whiteners, brighteners, and oxy-cleaning agents. Learn to read labels or check out the recommended detergents on the manufacturer's websites. Modern Mommy Gear stocks several of the recommended detergents.
• Reduce the amount of detergent. Detergent build up on diapers can cause odors and rashes, and reduce the effectiveness of your diapers. Most detergents will only require 1-2 tablespoons of detergent to get your diapers clean. 1-2 extra rinses at the end of the wash cycle will help ensure your diapers are rinsed clean. Peak in during the final rinse -- you shouldn't see any suds. If you do, keep rinsing, and reduce the detergent you use in the next load.
• For specific washing instructions for each manufacturer, check out the Modern Mommy Gear Laundy Tips and Washing Instructions