Admit it: it’s hard to imagine having a baby in a world where diapers don’t exist. Diapers are an integral part of raising a baby. It’s so closely linked to the parenting experience that diaper cakes often become centerpieces in many baby showers!
In other words, everybody knows just how important diapers are. Every household with a baby probably has boxes of diapers hidden somewhere in their house. Unfortunately, when we talk about diapers, we are mostly talking about the disposable kind.
Switching from Disposable Diapers to Cloth Diapers
Disposable diapers have undeniably helped millions of households and made life easier for so many mothers. But disposable diapers are undeniably bad for the environment, too. Landfills are filled with used disposable diapers, and a single one takes hundreds of years to decompose – maybe more.
The good news is that there’s a solution to this problem. You can help save the environment by simply switching from disposable diapers to cloth diapers.
Modern cloth diapers are nowhere near the sheets of cloth and metal clamps our mothers used in the past. Instead, these reusable diapers have a shell that looks and functions like a regular diaper. Inside these waterproof shells are inserts that are commonly made of a combination of fibers, making them highly absorbent.
And it doesn’t hurt that modern cloth diapers also come in irresistibly gorgeous designs!
The 6 Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers
Apart from being more environmentally-friendly, there are several more benefits that you and your family can enjoy from using cloth diapers.
1. Cloth diapers cost cheaper.
The cost of using disposable diapers is no joke. According to Investopedia, the average child uses more than 2,700 diapers in their first year. If the price of a single disposable diaper is $0.20, then you will have spent $540 on diapers in their first year alone. Assuming that your baby uses diapers for 2.5 years, the total cost will be around $1350 – that is, if you use the cheaper kind of diapers.
On the other hand, a single cloth diaper costs higher than a single disposable diaper. A cloth diaper, complete with a waterproof shell and an absorbent insert, can go for as low as $5. Keep in mind that this is a diaper that you can use over and over again.
Even if you go for more expensive cloth diapers, the total cost of an entire diapering system – an estimate of $400 for 20 diapers and accessories – is still nowhere near the cost of disposables.
2. Cloth diapers are better for the environment.
Cloth diapers are miles better for the environment than disposable diapers. Because cloth diapers are washable and reusable, you are able to reduce the waste going out from your home. Cloth diapers can even be given away if your baby has already outgrown them!
3. Cloth diapers are better for your baby’s health.
Another benefit of cloth diapers is that they are a lot better for your baby’s body. Disposable diapers contain chemicals that may be harmful to your baby. Many brands have been found to contain chlorine, latex, and other ingredients that may cause and trigger skin reactions like asthma and eczema.
Cloth diapers, meanwhile, are made of fabric and don’t contain unnecessary chemicals that may be toxic to your baby. Also, because they are made of cloth, they are much more breathable than disposables. This allows your baby’s skin to breathe and prevents rashes from developing.
4. Cloth diapers may help make toilet training easier.
Many parents swear that using cloth diapers made it easier for them to toilet train their babies. You see, disposable diapers are designed to stay dry for long periods of time. When your baby is used to wearing disposable diapers and being dry all day, they may fail to understand the cues necessary for toilet training.
But cloth diapers, even if they are absorbent, can’t absorb as much liquid as disposables can. If your baby wears cloth diapers, they will feel the wetness, which is the basic cue for toilet training. Using cloth diapers will help them understand their own body’s signals.
5. Cloth diapers are easy to use and easy to clean.
Using cloth diapers may sound intimidating, but it’s actually easier than you think! Of course, it will not be as simple as throwing away a soiled disposable diaper. There are extra steps necessary in caring for a cloth diaper, but you will get the hang of these in no time.
If soiled, simply remove the dirt from the diaper and flush it into your toilet. If stained, soak them in water for a couple of hours. Then toss the diapers into the wash and use the machine’s cold cycle to pre-rinse. After this, wash the diapers with hot water. Use diaper-safe detergent (no whitening agents, enzymes, fragrances, and fabric softeners) to wash them, then follow with a rinse.
6. Cloth diapers look a lot more adorable!
While most disposable diapers look plain and bare, cloth diapers come in so many charming designs! There really are plenty to designs to choose from, whether you go for the cheaper brands or the more expensive ones. They will all look even more adorable when your baby wears them. You will positively enjoy building your stash of cloth diapers!
While disposable diapers offer convenience like no other, it’s hard to deny the fact that they are hurting the environment. Aside from that, disposables often contain toxic chemicals that are potentially dangerous to your baby.
Cloth diapers may mean an extra load of laundry. Using them may mean an extra step in your daily routine. But with the life-changing benefits that using cloth diapers offers, this option is definitely the more rewarding one.