Cloth Diaper Info

I did a lot of research before Hailee was born because I have always thought about using cloth diapers because there are so many benefits. 

-You will save your family at least $2,500 per child

 

-An estimated 10,000 diapers go into the landfill every day, by using cloth I will be cutting my part out, each family uses an average of 7,450 diapers per child (natural family)

 

-Babies have far less diaper rash, and usually only minor ones if they do get one

 

-Your baby wont be exposed to sodium polycralate, which are the crystals in disposable diapers that can cause skin reactions (Caldwell, Ginny)

 

-Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. (Diaper association)

 

-Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S. (Diaper association)

 

-Using cloth gives your baby a less chance of developing asthma.  The Archives of Environmental Health tested 6 cloth and 6 disposable, finding that the disposible diapers had high enough amounts to give asthma to mice. (Environmental Health)

 

-In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.  (Diaper association)

 

- Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feed stocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR. (Diaper association)

 

-Using cloth diapers will help facilitate quicker potty training. During potty training time children who have been in cloth will recognize sooner when they are wet vs a baby in disposable diapers.  They are often potty trained up to a year earlier.

 

-Disposable diaper are the third largest single consumer item in landfills.  (Diaper association)

 

 

References

 

1.Natural family online

2.The Archives of Environmental Health, Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions, Archives of Environmental Health, 54, October 1999

3.Caldwell, Ginny. "Diapers. Disposable or Cotton?," Eco-Baby Catalogue

4.Diaper association

 

 

For me, the chemicals alone that will not be absorbing into my baby's skin is enough for me to put in a little extra effort by switching to cloth diapers.  The added bonuses are, you will save a couple thousand dollars and reduce your carbon foot print.  They are also much cuter in pictures, a disposable diaper is never attractive.