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Ditching Disposables

Will Cloth Diapers Work for You?

By Gwen Morrison

It is estimated that by the time a child is 3, he will spend an average of 22,000 hours in diapers. What most parents often fail to realize is that diapers play a huge role in the health of their child's skin and on the state of his environment. Cloth diapers have so many benefits, which is why more and more parents around the world are making a conscious decision to choose cloth over disposable.

"A larger percentage of new mothers are using cloth diapers today," says Lisa Rae Oshesky, owner of Lynn Haven, Fla.-based Organic B裩. "There is nothing like soft cotton next to your skin. If you had to choose whether to wear a disposable pair of underpants or a soft cotton pair for the next three years of your life, which would you choose?"

It is important for parents to consider the many benefits of cloth diapering. When trying to decide which type of diaper to use – cloth or disposable – parents may benefit from asking themselves the following questions:

• What diaper will be most comfortable for my baby?
• Which type of diaper can best respond to the four functions of the skin in preventing diaper rash?
• Which is more economical?
• Which diaper is more environmentally safe?

When considering the benefits of diapering with cloth, remember that the very fabric that cloth diapers are made of is one that breathes, allowing air to circulate to Baby's skin. Cloth diapers are also naturally absorbent, unlike their chemical-laden counterpart.

"Cloth diapers do not have the gel center of disposable diapers that tend to leak onto Baby's skin after prolonged use, like overnight," says Oshesky. "The most durable cloth diapers are made of bird's eye cotton and hemp. The most absorbent cloth diapers are made from cotton terry. The softest diapers are made from cotton fleece."

Another important benefit of using cloth diapers is that they are more cost effective. According to Oshesky, cloth diapering can save you from 44 percent to 48 percent over the cost of disposable diapers. Log on to OrganicBebe.com

Want to see more?

• Bathing your Beauty: How to Give your Newborn a Bath
• Making the Most of First Nursings
• Baby Stuff: What does your Baby Really Need?
• Talk about it!

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