It used to be, years ago, that a mother had no choice as to put their child in a cloth diaper or a disposable diaper. See, disposable diapers weren’t available in the US until sometime during the 1950’s. I know of this because my mom has told me that the first disposable diapers she became aware of were when my sister, born in 1953, called Chucks - because you use them and then chuck them into the trash I suppose. But, today we have options. Sometimes options make for more interesting, easier decisions. Other times, options simply make life more complicated. Here’s the choice: Should I use cloth or disposable diapers?
The environmentalists have claimed for years now that disposable diapers are filling up our landfills in record number. While the contents of the diaper may be biodegradable, the diaper itself is not. Some companies now offer a green diaper that does biodegrade. I have tried a couple of these diapers only to find that while I feel good about saving the environment, the diaper basically falls apart on my child’s body. And, one particular brand comes with a plastic tool used soley to unclog the toilet as you are flushing the biodegradable disposable diaper down your toilet. I had to wonder how earth-friendly this diaper truly is if it may be clogging my toilet in the process. Still, I want our earth to be around for my children and their children. So, I pursue earth-friendly ways of diapering my child.
I have also heard that tests have actually been conducted to determine if cloth diapers actually create more toxins to the environment because of the laundry soap used to clean them. A disposable diaper may sit in a landfill for years upon years, but the cloth diapers demand more thorough cleaning techniques such as ammonia water soaks or bleach or constant washings that could be polluting our waterways. All this extra work takes up time & a lot of energy in an effort to save our environment. Still, cloth diapers have their benefits.
I have observed that when a child is potty training, they quite often will not get it down pat until they are placed in a cloth training pant. The reason for this is because they can now feel the moisture from their urine & it is uncomfortable. In an effort to avoid that discomfort, they learn quickly how to use the potty. This does not work for every child. There are those children who will simply take off their wet cloth pant & plop it in the middle of the living room floor. But, for those who understand the need to use the potty based upon the discomfort of the wet cloth pant, there is a benefit to cloth diapers. If a child has worn a cloth diaper from birth, they tend to feel this sensation earlier and are typically easier to potty train. At least, that’s the theory one hopes to achieve.
Another benefit to cloth diapers is, of course, the cost. In today’s economy, this is a huge plus. Cloth diapers only require the initial output of purchasing a pack or two of cloth diapers and some form of water-resistent cover. After that, you wash and reuse these packs of cloth diapers. This is a considerable savings to their counterpart disposable diapers that require a constant outpouring of cash into purchasing new packs when you run out. You are literally throwing money into the trash can when you purchase a disposable product of any kind. However, the convenience of simply throwing the soiled diaper away can make the cost justifiable to many. Cloth diapers do require an extra purchase of plastic covers of one type or another to retain the moisture from the cloth diaper. Still, even considering the cost of the plastic pants, cloth diapers offer a vast amount of savings in terms of dollars. Any parent using disposable diapers can tell you that it’s as if you receive a raise in your paycheck when your child graduates from disposable diapers to cloth underpants.
Another huge benefit to using cloth diapers as opposed to using disposables is that the dyes and scents used in disposables can cause skin irritations, allergy related respiratory issues and diaper rash. Not all children display these sensitivities. But, for those who do - it’s a challenge. Cloth in the form of cotton, is usually quite skin friendly. Unless, of course, you use a detergent that irritates your child’s skin. There are obviously benefits to disposable diapers as well. They are so convenient - especially if you send your child to day care or ever go on a long-distance car trip with your child in tow. The disposables pull the moisture away from the child’s skin, so they can sit in the wet diaper for longer amounts of time when necessary. This makes disposable diapers very desirable and worth the extra cash spent. They do not require pins or velcro or special liners. You purchase the disposable diaper, pull it out of the package & place it on your child. When you’re done, you toss it in the trash. What could be more convenient? Even if you choose a cloth diaper for the majority of the time, disposables can be a nice supplement for times you need the convenience.
Whether you choose cloth or disposable diapers for your child, both have their benefits. Both have their disadvantages. It is a personal decision. But, it is one that can impact our environment in the long run. So, choose wisely.
