Q: Cloth diapers vs. disposable?
Posted
Monday, March 12, 2007 6:26 PM
Q: Cloth or disposable diapers? How do they compare as far as health and comfort, price, convenience and the environment?
A: These days, there’s not much difference. (Cloth diapers have come a long, long, way…) Here’s how they stack up:
Health and Comfort: No huge disparity, as long as you change baby’s diaper
when it’s full (more often with cloth). Leaving on a soiled diaper
increases risk of diaper rash, and isn’t too pleasant for baby. Your
baby might prefer the softer feel of cloth diapers. Disposable diapers
are more breathable, but their moisturizing, absorbent chemicals
irritate some babies.
Convenience: Forget
the complicated folds and scary pins your mom had to deal with. Cloth
diapers now come with Velcro or snap closures, shapes fitted to baby,
waterproof bands around the waist and legs, and removable linings,
making the cloth change just as quick and easy as the disposable. Cloth
diapers aren’t as absorbent, though, so you’ll have to change them more
often.
Price: Disposables will set you back
about the same amount as cloth diaper laundering services -- roughly
$2,000 to $2,500 over three years. Wash the diapers yourself, and
you’ll pay about $800 to $1,100. For future kids, laundering
hand-me-down diapers will cost about $400.
Environment: Not
as clear cut as you might think. Yes, disposables use resources like
trees and plastics during manufacturing, then collect in landfills
(most are 40% biodegradable). But, consider the process of washing
cloth diapers -- clean water and energy are used up, and nothing but
dirty water is produced.
**For daycare or travel,
disposables are the clear winner. Studies show they reduce the risk of
infection when used in a group setting -- in fact, many daycares don’t
allow cloth. When traveling,
cloth are simply too inconvenient… unless you’re into carting around
soiled diapers and madly searching for laundry machines at every stop.
> What kind do you use? And what's your favorite brand? Leave a comment!
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Posted by
Paula K
Filed under: health, gear, life