The Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers have the distinct advantage of being reusable. Hence, they are better known as Reusable Diapers. These diapers give a feeling of softness and tenderness to the babys skin. Due to their reusability, they last longer, cost less to use, and are friendly to the environment. Disposable diapers clog landfills and take many years to break down.
One advantage to cloth diapers is that they do not contain harmful chemicals. Some disposable diapers are known to contain Dioxin, a substance also used for bleaching paper. For babies with very sensitive skin, this could become an irritant to their skin. This harmful material has been banned in many countries, but is still sold in the United States. Another harmful chemical found in disposable diapers is Tributyl-tin (TBT). It contains toxic pollutants that have been proven to cause hormonal problems in animals and humans.
Sodium polyacrylate is another toxin contained in disposable diapers. It turns into a gel like property upon getting wet. A similar substance was used in super-absorbency tampons until the 1980s when it was found to increase the chance of toxic shock syndrome. A health survey carried out recently discovered that using disposable diapers for long periods of time could harm the physiological testicular cooling mechanism essential for proper sperm production.
Lets assume that a baby needs between 2000 and 3000 diapers per year. The price of disposable diapers is around 25 cents and brand names are around 38 cents. The average comes to around 32 cents. Thus, the monthly cost per child in terms of disposable diapers could be around 78.00 every month.
With cloth diapers, they may be a little more expensive to buy in the beginning, but they will save you money in the long run because you can reuse them. If cloth diapers are cared for properly, they can last a very long time and through several children. Wash them regularly with soft detergents that wont irritate your babys skin.
Trying both types of diapers to see which one works best for you and your baby is probably a good idea. You can also ask your friends and family what they preferred when bringing up their own children. In the end, it comes down to your choice and your baby’s.