Reasons Why Mothers Choose Disposables Over Cloth Diapers:
'Disposable diapers are more convenient'
Actually, both cloth and disposable diapers require time and work. With cloth diapers, soiled diapers need to be rinsed and you end up doing two to three extra loads of laundry each week. Disposal diapers have their share of hassles, too. You need to buy them from the store, shake out the waste in the toilet, and take them out to the trash. However, disposables can be thrown in the trash out in public, while cloth diapers need to be kept in bag and carried around with you. If you are looking for a hassle-free method, try a diaper service, which exchanges dirty cloth diapers with clean ones twice a week.
'Diaper rash is more severe with cloth diapers'
All babies get diaper rash to some degree whether they are wearing cloth diapers or disposable diapers. However, there is no evidence that diaper rash is severe with cloth. Diaper rash is mainly caused from diarrhoea and infrequent diaper changes. Factors that cause diaper rash are; heat, friction, sensitivity to products such as detergents, and yeast infections (1). Ways to prevent and treat a diaper rash are to: change diapers frequently, wash bottom off with water, let babies bum air out every day and apply diaper cream (2). For more information on the causes of and treatment of diaper rashes check out these web sites:
'Detergents and bleaches used to wash cloth diapers are more harmful to the environment than disposables'
There are biodegradable detergents available that are safer for the environment and do not contain phosphate. Wastewater from commonly available detergents is comparatively benign to waste water from the manufacturers of disposable diapers, which contains dioxins, solvents, sludge and heavy metals (3). The soap exchange located at the corner of Hillside Ave. and Cedar Hill Rd sells environmentally friendly alternatives to mainstream detergents. The bleach used to clean cloth diapers and is only used for the cosmetic purpose of having stain-free diapers and so it doesn't need to be used at all.
'Disposables are cheaper than cloth diapers or a diaper service'
Initially the cost of cloth diapers is more expensive than disposables, but in the long run they end up being considerably cheaper.
'More energy is used for cloth diapers'
Both disposable diaper manufacturers and cloth diaper lobbyists have conducted studies trying to prove their method is the least environmentally damaging. The results are contradictory, and have favoured the agenda of whichever side had funded the study (4). If you want to reduce the energy required to use cloth diapers, you can wash them in cold water and hang them to dry.
1. Mother-ease. Accessed June 12, 2004
2.Childhood Illnesses: Diaper Rash. Accessed June 13, 2004.
4. Scott, A. & Armstrong, L. 1992. Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women's Sanitary Products and Disposable Diapers-What you can do about it. HarperCollins.
