We're now taking comments, suggestions and recommendations (and alternative ideas) on the age-old debate: cloth vs. disposable diapers. (Okay, so maybe the debate isn't that old.)
Click here for a controversial study done on this topic.
About Me
- Chris Winkler
- Serving Bible translation in Nigeria, I'm a Christ-follower, husband and father living in Plateau State.
Friends' Blogs
- Jon Shuler (Jon's photos are amazing)
- Back Row Leader (my friend Roy's thoughts on leadership)
- Those Winklers (our family blog site)
- AfriGadget (some of the most creative uses for "stuff in Africa")
- White African (All things techie coming out of Africa)
- Center for Student Missions (stories from my previous ministry)
- Ryan (friend from SF who always has interesting blog postings)
- Bob Creson (president of Wycliffe Bible Translators)
7 comments:
I don't have any kids, but from the kids whom I've observed, I think you're better off with the cloth diapers. Okay, they're not as convenient, but the disposable diapers today are so good that the babies/young children don't feel wet. Your kids will want to be potty trained sooner as a result. So, if cloth diapers may seem more expensive, in the long run, they're cheaper since you won't be using them as long (and they can re-used).
Cloth diapers are nasty. My cousins had them.Kids get worse diaper rashes and stuff if you don't stay on top of them. Plus, there is debate that it is not that much better for the environment since you use more water to wash them...?
If you want to reduce your carbon imprint and be a happy hippy (heehehehe), why don't you do biodegradable diapers? They are a little safer for the environment and they might be easier to deal with.
They are sold at Whole Foods.
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I have been immersed in diaper-land now for 19 months. And I"m still debating which is best! We use disposables, and have since baby was born... they are so convenient, and simple. However, everytime I throw one in the diaper pail I feel guilty.
Maybe with baby #2 on the way, I will start looking into cloth options. Although, the added work & mess of cloth doesn't appeal to me one bit!
I've never used cloth - but I can see both sides. However, my sister read some article about which is more environmentally friendly and due to the diaper service trucks, gas used to drive them, water and detergents used to wash them, cloth diapers aren't really better for the planet than disposable (it's about even). I also think they need to be changed more frequently because they don't pull the moisture away as well - but the potty training point is well taken.. if you want the kid to feel wet.
Ultimately, we enjoyed the convenience of disposables. And from what we've experienced, as your child gets older, they don't go through as many... maybe they hold their food/drinks longer and don't wet or dirty the diaper as frequently. With a newborn, with more sensitive skin etc., I would think disposable diapers would cause fewer rashes.
My vote is for disposable. As a mom of three boys and always on the "go"- there is no other way to diaper!
Have some other friends who have kids I have been in some diaper conversations and for some reason in my creation care pursuits I have found some sites about cloth diapers. http://www.gdiapers.com/ are where to go for g-diapers which are in-between cloth and disposable. The outside is cloth and you have biodegradable (compost ready I think) inserts that actually do the absorbing. http://www.kissaluvs.com/ and http://www.mother-ease.com/ are two other cloth brands that I have seen linked to off websites. Cloth diapers with a diaper service can be not so environmentally friendly because of all the chemicals used to clean them and the gas and such. However, if you wash them yourself in good environmentally friendly detergents and if you hang them to dry I think you are doing a lot better than a service. Personally, after reading things when I get to the point of kids we are going to try some kind of cloth diaper because I just can't get over throwing that much stuff away. My mom also said (she always has a comment :) ) when she was done using them on our bottoms she used the cloth diapers for rags and they lasted until we were in high school.
We have used cloth diapers on both of our kids, and are big supporters. They are not always very convenient, but they are not nearly as much work as we ever imagined. One of the big reasons we do it is to save money! It is so much cheaper if you wash your own. We have always used disposable diapers at night (because they just hold more) and if we're going to be out all day, have a babysitter, or go on vacation. It has worked GREAT for us. I'm going to send you an email with more info!!
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