Why we use Cloth Diapers
It honestly never occurred to me to use disposable diapers. My mom diapered five children with cloth diapers and I being the oldest had changed my fair share of them before I ever held my first babe in my arms. I have also been an amateur environmentalist since high school and the save the rainforest craze, so when my first daughter arrived, it was a foregone conclusion that I would use cloth diapers. When I realized that I would have to explain my choices to those around me, I did more research and happily discovered that I had indeed made the right decision for my family and the environment.
Cloth Diapers are Better for the Environment
250,000 trees and 80,000 pounds of plastic are used up every year making a product that cannot be recycled. I actually read someplace that it takes one cup of crude oil to produce one diaper. I am not sure that is accurate but still disposable diapers are a ridiculous waste of natural resources. Then there is the question of whether or not they are really "disposable" diapers. One baby uses almost two tons of diapers in their career. In fact, baby butts are the third largest producers of waste. Two to three tons of contaminated materials are dumped into our landfills every year and possibly won't biodegrade for 400 or more years. These diapers fester in dumps, leaking chemicals related to toxic shock syndrome into the ground water. And lets face it, no matter what the packaging says very rarely do you see someone disposing of fecal material from a disposable diaper properly. This also increases the danger of live viruses finding their way back into our water supply. It important to note that environmentally speaking, the Earth friendly choice of materials is unbleached, organic cotton for diapers and wipes as commercially grown cotton is laden with pesticides and the bleaching process produces harmful dioxins. Several companies now offer diaper service quality unbleached cotton diapers.Baby's Health
Here, I have to share my nasty little secret. When the girls were little, I weakened in my resolve and used disposable diapers when they reached a certain age. The covers I found leaked when they started to be really mobile. So I did use disposable diapers on them. That was in the days before the Internet when quality diapers were difficult if not almost impossible to acquire in the middle of rural Iowa. I am proud to say that since I found great diapers and better quality cover, I have used cloth diapers all the way through with both of the boys. My babies developed fewer rashes with cloth diapers. The biggest reason for this is probably that changing diapers often is the only truly effective way to combat diaper rash. The diaper companies claims that their diapers keep babies dryer seem to convince parents that they can get by with fewer diaper changes. This is not the case the bacteria and ammonia created when this bacteria breaks down the urine are still in contact with the skin, despite the fact that the surface of the diaper feels dry to the touch. Thinner diapers also contain sodium polyacrylate. In the eighties, sodium polyacrylate was associated with toxic shock syndrome and taken out of tampons. For me the answer has always been clear. Why let nasty chemicals such as acrylic acid polymer salts touch your precious one's bottom when it can be nestled in soft, natural 100% cotton?Economy
According to Consumer Reports, a parent will spend between $1500 - $2100 dollars diapering their child with disposable diapers. I personally think it is more than that. That figure does not include the added cost of disposable wipes, and diaper ointment. Also, you have to figure the cost of getting rid of them if you live in a community that charges you for each bag of garbage you throw out. Cloth costs only a $300 - $700. I would say you could do it even more cheaply if you watch Ebay and the MDC buy, sell and trade board. This includes the cost of the water to wash the diapers and detergent. The great part is that you can hand them down, you can't do that with a disposable diaper.Convenience
Today's cloth diaper systems are not the pins and plastic pants our moms and Grandma's used. The Velcro and snap covers are much quicker to change. All-in-one diapers are as simple to use as disposable diapers. Cloth wipes can be carried in the same wipe cases as disposable wipes. You shouldn't be leaving stinky diapers in other people's garbage anyway. I know I don't like it when people leave them in mine. I can't stand that smell. I think diaper genies are criminally wasteful. I also enjoy the satisfaction that I get from making another informed decision that is best for my children.
I've tried a few types of covers and diapers and found that I prefer to use covers and Chinese prefolds. The all-in-one diapers are easier but they take forever to dry. The contoured diapers work nicely too, but I think the prefolds are more absorbent and useful when they are done being diapers. I use unbleached diapers and unbleached flannel wipes. All the diapering supplies I started with came from the Earthbaby website. The products and customer service are both excellent. I have had very good luck with prowrap covers. They hold up to a lot of washing and have great leg gussets. I have never had problems with leaks.
My absolute passion, however, is wool covers. When lanolized properly wool diaper covers are naturally water repellent. I have purchased hand knitted covers as well as making my own out of recycled wool sweaters. I don't recommend them to everyone. My daughters are perfectly happy with the fuzzi bunz. The options are out there if you do a little research.
Mothering.com has a discussion board on diapering where you can learn more about different types of diapers and ways to care for them from other moms who use them. I guess my final word on this subject is that diaper companies make enough money; they like the formula companies don't need mine