Have you ever considered trying reusable diapers? The new cloth diapers of today are nothing like the ones our grandmothers used. These new cotton diapers are attractive, convenient and efficient. Cloth diapers are also very soft against your baby’s tender skin and free of all the chemicals disposable diapers contain. Obviously, cloth diapers are much more comfortable for baby and they certainly save more disposable diapers from ending up in our landfills.
Approximately 18 billion disposable diapers are used every year in the United States, alone. Those diapers serve their purpose and are then thrown in the trash where they eventually end up in our landfills. It is estimated that it will take 250 to 500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose. That means every disposable diaper ever used is still sitting in a landfill somewhere.
Another big concern is the fact that only a very small fraction of users, less than one half of one percent, actually dispose of fecal matter prior to tossing the diaper in the trash. Package instructions recommend fecal matter be flushed in a toilet prior to disposing of the diaper, but in fact, manufacturers make it almost impossible. A disposable diaper would be tremendously saturated and heavy if you tried rinsing it and there’s no easy way to take the diaper apart. Instead, untreated human waste is steadily deposited into our landfill where it could potentially pose a health risk.
Of course, the biggest concern most parents have is how to keep their baby dry and avoid diaper rash. A diaper rash can be caused by many things, including not being changed often enough, insufficient air circulation, different kinds of soap, allergies to dyes and chemicals and the ammonia that results from bacteria and urine left in contact with the skin.
Some parents worry about the chemicals and dyes used in the making of disposable diapers. Sodium polyacrylate is the super absorbent, clear, gel like substance that is often found on a baby’s genitals during a diaper change. This is the same chemical that was banned for use in tampons because of its link to toxic shock syndrome. Dioxin is another dangerous chemical. It is a by-product of the bleaching process and has been shown to damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys. Fragrances have also been linked to allergic reactions, rashes, dizziness, headaches, and increased occurrences of asthma.
Disposable diapers aren’t the only choice. We have been so conditioned to think that diapering our baby means buying a plastic bag full of single-use, throw-away diapers, but cloth diapering is a viable option. Parents need to make an informed and educated choice on the best method for diapering their baby. That choice might mean disposable … or, it might mean choosing a reusable or cloth diaper.