A growing practice, quickly gaining popularity for many reasons, is that of using cloth diapers instead of disposables. But, a less often talked about practice is that of using natural- even cloth reusable- feminine care products (pads and tampons) too. And, many health/environment conscious moms who are not using cloth, opt to use natural/organic diapers, pads and/or tampons. Many people have seen my cute pictures of Harper wearing his fashionable diapers. Although they know he isn’t wearing Huggies, they may not be aware of what he’s in and why I’ve chosen to dress him that way. Why would I make such a choice?
Over the years, I have watched countless moms come into my office. The ones who dress their babies in precious cloth diapers always catch my eye. And, fortunately, I had a chance to talk with many and ask their opinions before having Harper. Once pregnant, after talking to all of these moms, it was a no brain-er that we would cloth diaper our children. When cloth was not an option, we would not use conventional paper diapers, but would turn to the natural organic brands. Why in the world would we choose to put this much thought into what goes on our child’s bottom?
Well, cloth is the best option- in our opinion- and, we not only advocate that moms steer away from the regular conventional brands when it comes to diapers but also when they choose to purchase products to use on themselves once a month. We have seen drastic results and awesome changes in women’s and children’s health because of the switch; this is why we feel so strongly about it! We started out using Seventh Generation newborn disposables on Harper, until all of his meconium was gone. Once the meconium had passed, we started out with a diaper service, so that we could try cloth without having to buy them yet. This was a wonderful option, and it was really just as cheap (if not more) than disposables. I loved the option to try without having to buy. We, obviously, loved cloth, and quickly decided to purchase our own. We went through Hip Green Baby. I can not say enough about how much I love Kristi, and how wonderful she and her company are. Harper wore her prefolds (we just did plain, no dye) with a Snappi and Wonder Wrap or Thirsties cover. This is the simple way to go, and we love it! Thirsties covers are my absolute favorite!!
Harper’s health is quite the obsession around here! And, you guessed it, we choose cloth- in large part- for health reasons. The skin is the largest organ, and comes into contact with most everything we are exposed to. This is particularly true when it comes to diapers, which a baby wears against his/her skin 24/7. We did not want Harper’s skin exposed to something as potentially harmful as paper diapers filled with chemicals, when there is such a great option as cloth. We do not believe that it is any coincidence that our children end up with so many skin problems, allergies, and hormonal disruptions when we look at how long they are usually left in these paper diapers filled with horrible chemicals. Did you know most paper diapers contain dioxin, bleach, chlorine, tributyl tin, perfumes and plastic?
Dioxin has been found to cause damage to the immune system, birth defects, and it is a carcinogen. Bleach is harsh on skin and a known carcinogen. Chlorine can also harm skin and is carcinogenic too. Perfumes are known to disrupt the hormonal system and have been linked to asthma. Tributyl tin has harmful effects on the hormonal and immune systems.
You won’t find these chemicals in cloth diapers, and who wouldn’t prefer cloth underwear over paper?! In addition to health savings, we have saved a lot of money by using cloth diapers. And, because we will be able to use Harper’s diapers when we have other children, this is a savings that I look forward to continuing. I often hear families complain about their expenses, and watch them work so hard to pinch pennies. I find myself wondering, “Why don’t they simply switch to cloth?” It is so easy, and makes so much sense!
Furthermore, it is a lot easier to potty train a baby who has grown up in cloth versus paper diapers. Harper senses when he is wet a lot sooner when he wears cloth. We have been doing Elimination Communication with him since he was four weeks old, but I credit the fact that he is sixteen months and almost potty trained to our choice of cloth diapers.
I am not a huge environmentalist, but it is nice to know that we aren’t adding to the disgusting problem that has been created by all the disposable diapers that are thrown out. Did you know when you throw out a paper diaper, it takes hundreds of years for it to decompose? Yuck! And, it is estimated that your paper diapers from your one baby will generate at least one ton of garbage. Care about the environment or not, those nasty facts can not be ignored!
I urge you not to stop your research for the health of your family when it comes to what they wear on their bottoms! And, maybe going straight to cloth isn’t an option. Well, fortunately, there are safer, healthier disposable options out there. Please, do your research!
Some sites to look at:
What about you? Do you use paper or cloth? If you’ve made the switch, I would love to hear why and how you did it.
Amy
March 24, 2010
2:13 PM
awww…I feel like you did this post just for me
Kate Cole
March 24, 2010
3:19 PM
Cloth all the way! I always knew I wanted to use cloth, but my decision was confirmed when Scott opened up a “new baby” package we got from Babies R Us when we registered and started sneezing uncontrollably from the pampers diaper that was in it! Gross!
Stephanie
March 24, 2010
6:53 PM
Like Katie, I always knew I’d use cloth. My mom did, and it made sense to me. Plus, it cost so much less. God has used us deciding on cloth and natural childbirth (again, my mom did, so it made sense to me) to a whole world of healthy eating and living. Such a blessing! Anyway. We started Lucy off in cloth from day one and have used them on all three kids now – though our preferences have chnaged significantly from when Lucy was little. We use cloth wipes with the diapers too. I use cloth now for me, and we only use cloth in the kitchen (in the last three years I’ve only purchased paper towels for two birth kits LOL). I know a few families that use cloth in the bathroom for kids and adults…I am not there. I am not sure N ever will be there, honestly. lol
Kelly
March 24, 2010
9:47 PM
I just love my cloth diapers! I love to smell them when they come out of the dryer, and folding them is relaxing. I also love NOT having to spend money on all those disposable diapers, week after week. I’ve used my diapers through three children, and some I bought used from a friend, so those have seen even more washings, and they are still holding up really well – even my diaper covers! So definitely a cost savings!
Christy@pipandsqueak
March 24, 2010
10:10 PM
We use cloth about 50% of the time. We are in childcare situations and on the go so much so that is what works for us. Health and finances were our main reasons. I am not sure what I think the cloth/potty training correlation is. Katherine did seem more interested than Caroline and she wore cloth more often but it did take a long time to be fully potty trained. As a 4 year old she wears cloth trainers at night rather than pull ups.
I have not switched to cloth for me yet but this is the 4th time this month that it has come up so I bet it is in my future. I do have a diva cup though.
Kitty Osmon
March 25, 2010
9:47 AM
We use Luvs or Pampers. The kids have never had a hint of diaper rash. Eli was potty trained in one week at 21 months.
Always interesting information. So..when are you going to start using those diapers on the next kid?
Lots of love to my crunchy granola friend!
Sarah
March 25, 2010
9:24 PM
So now I have a ton of questions:
1.) How do you clean them?
2.) How do you store the dirty ones until you’re ready to clean them?
3.) How do you travel with the dirty ones?
Dr. Cindy
March 25, 2010
10:33 PM
Sarah,
. We use these bags for travel too, but if we plan on being gone a long time, then we use the natural disposables mentioned. Hope that helps!
They are really simple to clean. Breastfed poop requires no rinsing. Solid poop can be flushed. Put the diapers in the wash machine, run a cold rinse, then wash in hot water. I store the dirty ones in a lined trash can. The liner is made of the same material as my diaper covers. A lot of people just throw the whole thing in (liner and diapers) and never touch their diapers. Kristi probably has all of these instructions on her site (www.hip-green-baby.com). When we are out and about, I carry a “wetbag” which is a small bag to store clean and dirty diapers in. It is waterproof and smell proof
Dr. C
Annie
March 27, 2010
11:38 PM
My awesome Sis-in-law and friend Stephanie turned me onto cloth:) I’m never going back! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the smell of my clean, fresh diapers as I take them down off the line outside. I also love knowing every time I watch a diaper cycle through being worn, dirtied, then cleaned, I’ve saved some amount of money. There are few things in life where cheaper is actually better. This is one of them.
Brad
April 25, 2010
12:44 AM
Cloth all the way! I always knew I wanted to use cloth, but my decision was confirmed when Scott opened up a “new baby” package we got from Babies R Us when we registered and started sneezing uncontrollably from the pampers diaper that was in it! Gross!
Tony
April 28, 2010
3:14 AM
Sarah,
. We use these bags for travel too, but if we plan on being gone a long time, then we use the natural disposables mentioned. Hope that helps!
They are really simple to clean. Breastfed poop requires no rinsing. Solid poop can be flushed. Put the diapers in the wash machine, run a cold rinse, then wash in hot water. I store the dirty ones in a lined trash can. The liner is made of the same material as my diaper covers. A lot of people just throw the whole thing in (liner and diapers) and never touch their diapers. Kristi probably has all of these instructions on her site (www.hip-green-baby.com). When we are out and about, I carry a “wetbag” which is a small bag to store clean and dirty diapers in. It is waterproof and smell proof
Dr. C