Benefits of Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers have been making a huge comeback from their decline in the late sixties when disposable diapers first started to make their appearance. Cloth diapers have many advantages over disposables, including the fact that they are not filling our landfills!

There are three main benefits of cloth diapers:

1).Cloth diapers are better for your babies skin. There are little or no chemicals in cloth diapers and that means fewer chemicals coming in contact with your babies sensitive skin and leading to diaper rash. Organic diapers have even less impact on babies skin and their manufacture is better for the environment.
2). Cloth diapers are better for the environment. As mentioned above, the manufacturing process of organic diapers has little impact on our environment. In addition, cloth diapers are not filling up our landfills at an alarming rate like disposables are. According to a 2003 study published by the women's environmental network, disposable diapers are the third largest consumer item in landfills and make up about 4 % of all solid waste. No one knows exactly how long it takes for the average disposable diaper to decompose, but it has been estimated at anywhere from 250 to 500 years. That means that the diapers you throw away today will still exist when your great, great, great grandchildren are born. Astounding as these numbers may seem they are higher still in 2009.
3).Cloth diapers are less expensive than their disposable counterparts. Thirty cloth diapers will cost approximately $600 if you purchase the better ones (Pocket diapers, organic diapers and the all in one style of diaper). This is enough cloth diapers to last for the entire time that your baby requires them. On the other hand, to purchase enough disposable diapers to last you through the time needed for your baby would cost over $3000.! It's a huge difference and well worth the savings – especially in these difficult economic times. The savings would be even more noticed by purchasing simple prefolded diapers at a cost of under $100 for the usage time of your baby you will have all the cloth diapers and covers you need.

Your choice of cloth diapers will be measured through the years – both in financial savings and environmental savings. It's vitally important that we all realize the negative impact disposable diapers have had on our environment. Yes, they are a part of the “Women's Lib” movement and a rightful part at that. However, the time has come for a new sense of responsibility to our home and our babies.

Let's leave something for future generations. Let cloth diapers be your choice.

Fancy Diapers For Every Baby

Fancy diapers, my version anyway, are any cloth diapers. Diapers that are not filling our landfills at an alarming rate, diapers that are gentler on a baby's skin and diapers that are “cute”!

Diapers are a topic near and dear to many new mothers. They listen to the horror stories told by their mothers and grandmothers and revel in the fact that they can have the best of both worlds. No longer is it safety pins and rubber pants; but velcro and designer water resistant diaper covers.

The first diapers were leaves or moss in an animal skin. This is what was used for over a thousand years, except in the very warm climates where they babies went naked all year 'round. The first “modern” diaper came into existance in the 1800's and were huge rectangles of cloth that was folded to fit the baby's size. Rubber pants wasn't invented until after WWII!

Today's diapers, my fancy diapers, began to be seen as early as the 1960's, but due to the huge popularity of disposable diapers, were never widely used. Did you know that the first disposable diapers still required safety pins? It's true! As more and more people are becoming aware of the danger that disposable diapers pose to our environment, the popularity of cloth diapers is growing.

There are no facts in yet regarding the affect all those tightly (hopefully) wrapped bundles of feces and urine will have on the population when they do begin to break down, but I, for one, think we should all react BEFORE those reports start to come in. I can only imagine the billions of germs quietly “sleeping” away in the landfills.

Fancy diapers can be the all popular Pocket Diaper that allows you to put as much filling in the pocket that your baby requires. Less during the day and more at night – as needed. All in one or AIO Diapers consist of the water resistant covering with the inner filling attached. It's a smart mom, however, who will add a little bit extra as their baby gets older and sleeps through the night.

The Fanciest of the fancy diapers is the organic diaper. Made from natural fibers, these diapers are soft and gentle on your babies sensitive skin. There is one brand that makes a diaper out of bamboo and it looks so soft! It should make parents feel good that they can finally provide the comfort and safety that their baby deserves without harming the environment.

You've come a long way, Baby! See some fantastic fancy diapers.

You've Come A Long Way Baby With Your Fancy Diapers!

The first diapers were probably moss or leaves wrapped in animal skins. In the 1800's cotton diapers held in place with pins were first used. ! Once the importance of cleanliness and hygiene was realized, diapers were given more notice and better “models” were developed.

During WWII when more and more women entered the work force, cloth diaper services became very popular and began to spring up all over the United States. It was shortly after the war that the first rubber pants – coverings for cloth diapers – were invented. A woman named Marion Donovan made the first pair from a shower curtain.

The 1960's began the rise of the disposable diaper. Most mother thought they were better than sliced bread. (I know I did!) In the 1990's however, the impact of millions upon millions of disposable diapers in the landfills began to have an impact that we are still feeling today.

More and more families are choosing to go green and return to cloth diapers. BUT, they are not the cloth diapers of two hundred years ago! BumGenius cloth diapers, for example, use the same conveniences of velcro and elastic as disposable diapers – yet they are cloth and reusable. Instead of rubber pants, we now have water resistant coverings made of merino wool, nylon or polyurethane laminate.

There are pocket diapers, which are a water resistant cover with an inner pocket for the insertion of a prefolded cloth diaper. Others are all one piece that can be easily washed. Many of the pocket diapers and cloth diapers are also available in one size for infant through potty training – which can be a life saver if you have more than one child in diapers!

See them all at babyearth.com