Disposable diapers are convenient and easy to use. Parents prefer these diapers because they save time and offer extra absorbency. Parents of babies also complain that cloth diapers need to be changed more often and sometimes leak, but there are valid reasons to trade in disposable diapers for the cloth variety. There are environmental and economical benefits of cloth diapers. Cloth diapers also address a few extremely concerning facts about the health of a baby who wears disposable diapers.
Sustainable Option
Cloth diapers are a common option that environmentally conscious parents choose. Cloth diapers greatly reduce the amount of waste that a growing family would generate should they decide to use disposables. Lisa Hubbard paints a very sobering picture of this with a few figures that illustrate the impact of disposable diapers on the planet. Hubbard states that a baby that wears disposable diapers produces approximately one ton of waste per year in diaper usage, and the process for producing disposable diapers wastes copious amounts of water. A family that anticipates having additional children can reduce waste production further since cloth diapers are highly reusable and long lasting.
Money Saving Alternative
Current financial pressures mean that families are in need of cutting back on spending where possible. When parents are reviewing their budget, they may be surprised to learn that a vast amount of their funds are spent on diapering their children. The difference in cost of cloth diapering and disposable diapering comes as quite a shock. Hubbard sheds light on some of those amounts and adds that the savings are repetitive with children that follow a family's first. Having a baby unexpectedly places a lot of strain on a young family, and the money that cloth diapering saves can be applied to other priorities that need to be attended to.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of using cloth diapers are the most important reason to choose cloth over disposable diapering. Hubbard explains that disposable diapers contain substances that are highly carcinogenic and cause many health problems when used in other hygiene products. Furthermore, diaper rash occurs more frequently in disposable diaper wearing babies. It is a responsible choice that can protect children from harmful and irritating chemicals during some of the most vital stages of their development.
Cloth diapers are not always a feasible option for parents, but when they can speak to common concerns that new and growing families have, they quickly become a viable choice. Aside from the environmental concerns that cloth diapers adequately address, they are a safer, healthier way to diaper your children, and the economic benefits are undeniable. It is up to parents to decide what option works best for their lifestyle and weigh the pros against the cons in order to arrive at an agreeable solution on how to proceed. Once the decision has been made to switch, most parents find that the maintenance required to keep their diaper supply constantly cycling isn't that much of a sacrifice compared to the chemicals that are right up against an infant's skin. When parents have all of the facts, cloth diapering can be instituted successfully. It simply requires the proper attitude and expectations.
