Going Cloth for Greener Diapering

When I was pregnant with baby #2 in 2008, several of my friends were making the switch to cloth diapers for their babies. I looked on and listened, all the while thinking they made the grossest and most “trendy” decision in the world. Why would they want to use cloth diapers?! And how could they possibly be making a better choice for their babies and saving money??? Little did I know how far their influence would go.

As I learned more about the cloth diapers they used, the brands they trusted, and changed those little cloth bottoms when I watched my friends’ children, the idea grew on me for several reasons:

* Saving money. My friends sent me links to websites that provide charts comparing the cost of cloth vs. disposable diapers, such as the one at Diaper Decisions. I never knew that I could be saving over $1,000 just by cloth diapering! Plus, using the diapers on a second or third child saves you even more money! My husband and I were at a point where we would do anything to penny-pinch, and the thought of not having to run to the store for diapers every week was quite appealing.

* Less at the landfill. As we learned more about living simpler and greener lives, we began to appreciate and embrace the thought of cloth diapering. Did you know that, according to the National Park Service, it takes 10-20 years for a disposable diaper to decompose? Others even estimate the decomposition to take well over 200 years! And, if you think about it, we do so much to keep our human waste contained, either in our septic systems or through the public sewer system…but what are we doing about the waste that is in the diapers, sitting in the landfill?

* A cleaner bottom…and body. Cloth diapers decrease the problem of diaper rash! Yes, they need to be changed more often, but cloth diapers are more breathable, whereas disposable diapers mask the wetness and are much hotter on babies. Plus, there are so many toxic chemicals in disposable diapers that can cause rashes, sensitivity, and even a possible increase in asthma! All you need to do is type “danger of disposable diapers” into your search engine, and a truck-load of articles and research show just how hazardous disposable diaper use can be.

So, we bit the bullet, jumped on the band wagon, and tried out cloth diapers…and ended up loving it! Not only does my son’s bum look oh-so cute, we rest in the fact that we made an economical decision that protects my son’s skin and the ground from diaper chemicals…leading to a cleaner and greener world all around.

baby in cloth diaper

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Bess Ulrich lives in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her Hubby, preschooler Danae, and cloth-diapered toddler Caedon (pictured above). A lover of variety and to-do lists, she blogs at See Bess Run.

3 Responses to Going Cloth for Greener Diapering
  1. Amber
    November 9, 2009 | 2:33 pm

    We didn’t use cloth diapers with my first child, but are using them with my second. And I love them, too! Much easier than I expected, super-cute, and money-saving to boot. Although I will admit that I am constantly forgetting them mid-wash-cycle. I need a little buzzer or something to keep my head in the diaper laundering game! ;)

  2. Shannon Baer
    November 9, 2009 | 5:19 pm

    We used cloth diapers for our first baby… I was overwhelmed by all the choices when I went to purchase them… but in the end we settled on the ol’ fashion prefold with a cover. There are so many options it’s great! Nice post and happy green diapering!

  3. Jen
    November 11, 2009 | 9:32 pm

    We started to use cloth diapers with B and he got the worst diaper rash. We went back to the biodegradable diapers we had been using and have not had a problem since.

    I love that there are so many more diapering options out there for parents to pick from!