This Great Cloth Diaper Debate
Which is better...disposable or cloth? The
diaper wars have begun and you must choose
sides....muhawww.
New parents are faced with many decisions, one
of them choosing whether to use cloth or
disposable diapers. There are advantages and
disadvantages for each diaper type. This issue
can be a hot one among parents, a part of
parenting politics so to speak, and it seems
that you must choose sides. What side of the
fence will you choose to be on? Either you’re
gonna be a tree hugging, diaper-washing hippie
or a landfill-filling, Pamper camper. You’re a
pawn in the diaper war...it's your move.
But perhaps you have decided to compromise and
use a combination of both and maybe even throw
in a third diaper type for kicks...the more
environmentally friendly disposable diaper
or the
flushable diaper.
Cloth diapers are better for the environment as
they don’t end up choking landfills. Deposits can be shaken out into
the toilet and processed properly instead of leaking into the
ground. There are new styles with Velcro fastening diaper covers
meaning more comfort and fewer leaks. Some are “all in one” and
resemble a disposable in ease of getting on and off baby.
But, you’ve got to wash them. When you’re out and
about, you’ll have to carry the soiled diaper with you instead of
pitching them in the closest trash can. The initial cost can be
expensive, though you’ll save money in the long run. If you elect to
use a diaper service, that will cost you money but there’s an
environmental cost to consider as well with the use of bleach and
detergents on such a grand scale.
In
addition to being used as burp cloths and washcloths, cloth diapers
can be used for other things such as dust cloths, hand & kitchen
towels, to wash windows and cars, and to polish silver when your
baby is done using them for diapers. Obviously, get rid of the worst
looking ones. Considering dyeing some of the others for variety or
to match your décor.
You can’t beat disposable diapers for convenience. Use it. Toss it.
If you’re visiting a new location and run out of diapers at
midnight, most corner stores and gas stations will have them for
sale.
Disposable diapers use up space in landfills adding plastic,
chemicals, and sewage often wrapped in another plastic bag.
Disposable diapers are expensive and since they are often purchased
at grocery stores, the cost is hidden in the grocery bill. Children
wearing disposable diapers often potty train later, which increases
the amount of diapers the child will wear through infancy.
Buy Cloth Diapers:
