The Advantages of Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers fell out of favor for a few decades after disposable diapers hit the market, but in the last several years they are quickly gaining popularity again.  There are many reasons that today’s moms love cloth diapers, and with new styles and a better fit, there isn’t any reason to not use them.  In fact, cloth diapers can be just as convenient, and are often more comfortable than the disposables.

One of the most obvious reasons to consider cloth diapers is their cost.  You can save hundreds of dollars by using cloth instead of the more expensive disposable diapers.  Although the initial cost of cloth diapers is higher, you can use them over and over and the cost of washing them is minimal.  If you invest in enough cloth diapers to get you through a few days, you have enough to last the year.  They’re also more convenient – simply do your diaper laundry on a regular basis and you’ll never have to run to the corner store again because you’ve run out of diapers in the middle of the night!

Mothers who use cloth diapers on their children rarely have to contend with diaper rash because cloth diapers breathe.  Disposable diapers, on the other hand, trap and hold moisture next to the skin.  They are waterproof on the outside and the skin can’t breathe, so diaper rashes are more common.  In warm weather, a baby in a breathable cloth diaper is less likely to get prickly heat.

Babies have extremely sensitive skin, and keeping chemicals, perfumes and other irritants away from their skin is important.  Children also tend to have less chemical sensitivity as they grow older if they aren’t constantly exposed to chemical irritants as babies.  Unfortunately, nearly all disposable diapers use a variety of chemicals to enhance their absorption ability.  Cloth diapers are usually made of cotton or wool, which are both soft, natural materials that soothe the skin without irritation.

Parents who use cloth diapers also tend to be able to potty train their children more quickly.  Because cloth diapers don’t have moisture-absorbing additives, children can quickly sense when they are wet and will be more receptive to potty training.  Babies in cloth diapers are also usually changed into a clean diaper more quickly because parents can easily tell when the diaper is damp, which leads to less diaper irritation.

Cloth Diapers and the Environment

Today’s parents are environmentally aware and most of them hate the idea of putting hundreds of used, disposable diapers into our landfills.  Sadly, disposable diapers are often the most common item taking up space in landfills, and they take generations to biodegrade because they’re made from artificial materials.  Because they contain body wastes, they can contaminate nearby ground soil with urine and feces.  Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are washed and reused rather than ending up in landfills.  You flush away any waste before washing, so that the waste is properly handled by a septic or sewage system, and laundering them with biodegradable, environmentally friendly detergents makes them an even better ecological choice.

Some parents who haven’t tried cloth diapers have the mistaken notion that they are more difficult to use.  They remember the bulky, awkward squares of cloth that had to be properly folded, pinned into place and then covered with uncomfortable plastic pants.  But today’s cloth diapers are nothing like the kind your mother or grandmother used.  Today’s cloth diapers feature snap closures and adjustable Velcro fasteners for a comfortable fit and easy changing.  You can get separate diaper covers made of cotton or wool, or use all-in-one cloth diapers, depending on what is convenient for you.   Most cloth diapers are pre-folded and form fitting so there’s no need to fuss with trying to fold them properly, and many are available with cloth liners for easy cleaning and added wetness protection.

Disposable diapers are becoming less popular each year as more and more parents realize that cloth diapers offer the best fit, value and comfort for their children.

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