Why use Cloth Diaper?
Economical
Money is always an important consideration when choosing diapering system. In fact, disposable diapers are one of the highest perpetual expenses hidden away in the household monthly expenditures with diaper-age children. Most parents go through 6-8 thousand disposable diapers per child, from birth to about age three. Once those children are potty-trained, those diapers are gone. They cannot be re-used.
With cloth diapers, even though initially it is expensive, but in the long run it will save a lot. This saving is enhanced when the diapers are used for another baby.
| Diaper Category | Price Unit x average 6 diapers x 365 days | Up to 2 years old or potty train | For 2nd child |
| Disposable | RM0.80 x 6 x 365= RM1,795 | RM3,590 | RM3,590 |
| Cloth Diaper | RM45 x 6 = RM270 | - | - |
Health Issues
Cloth diapers are the healthier alternative to disposable diapers. Here are the health concerns regarding disposable diapers:
Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S.
Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT)- a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. Disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. A similar substance had been used in super-absorbency tampons until the early 1980s when it was revealed that the material increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.
Another health concern is dryness and diaper rash. There are many reasons for rash, such as food allergies, yeast infections, skin sensitivity, chafing, and chemical irritation. Diaper rash can result from the introduction of new foods in older babies. Some foods raise the frequency of bowel movements which also can cause irritation. Changes in a breastfeeding mother's diet may alter the baby's stool, causing rash.
The most common reason for diaper rash is excessive moisture against the skin. Diapers for newborns should be changed every hour and older babies every 3-4 hours, no matter what kind of diapers they are wearing.
At least half of all babies will exhibit rash at least once during their diapering years. Diaper rash was almost unheard of before the use of rubber or plastic pants in the 1940s.
There is no significant difference between cloth and disposables when it comes to diaper rash.
Cloth diapers, in the other hand, are free from any chemicals contained in disposable diapers.
Environment
When you flush, two things happen. First, you're putting poop where it belongs. You'd be amazed how much baby poop from disposable diapers ends up in the landfill where the potential health risk and ground water contamination from viruses and bacteria in feces are real threats. Second, flushing the flushable sends everything to the wastewater treatment facility where it can be treated safely with the rest of our human waste and where valuable nutrients can be recovered and utilised as biosolids.
In U.S, research shows that 90% of all single-use diapers end up in a landfill. In 1988, nearly $300 million dollars were spent annually just to discard disposable diapers, whereas cotton diapers are reused 50 to 200 times before being turned into rags. No one knows how long it takes a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250 to 500 years long after your children, grandchildren and great, great, great grandchildren are gone.
Resources from gDiapers and The Diaper Jungle
