Cloth diapers of today are not the cloth diapers of your grandmother's era. And for those who are trying to live in a more environmentally conscious way, this is good news. With babies, who need to have their diapers changed ten or more times a day, using cloth just makes economical and environmental sense. And with today's cloth diapers, which are much easier to put on and take off, easier to clean and quite stylish, why wouldn't anyone switch?
What other reasons should a mother look at cloth diapers? Lets look at the health factors. To start, disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals and is banned in most countries, but not the U.S
Another chemical in disposable diapers is Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. Disposable diapers also contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.
And of course there is the problem with plastic diapers and the slow rate at which they It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone.
In the world of diapers, there are primarily four main types. Those include:
1. Prefolds - The prefold diaper is one of the more popular choices among parents. This diaper is made up of multiple layers with more layering in the middle. Prefolds are also referred to as 2x6x2's, 4x6x4's, 4x8x4's etc. These numbers refer to the number of layers in the sides and middle of the diaper (i.e., 4x6x4's have 4 layers in the sides and 6 in the middle). The stitching on the edges of the prefolds are coded to tell you the size (for example, dark green = infant, white = regular, dark blue = premium).
Prefolds come in bleached or unbleached (abbreviated as BCPF or UBCPF). Prefolds are like traditional diapers in that they need to be pinned or you can fold them into a wrap cover. If you want your baby to have a hip prefold diaper, they do come in hemp. This diaper is a little more costly though. Prefolds store easily, dry quickly, fit a wide range of body types and sizes, don't have elastic/snaps/velcro to wear out and are very absorbent.
2. Fitted Diapers - The fitted diapers have elastic at the legs and back, in this they look a lot like a disposable diaper. While disposable diapers have tape to hold them in place, fitted diapers use Velcro or snap fasteners. These diapers are also made of a variety of materials such as organic cotton or hemp.
3. All In Ones (AIOS) -All-in-ones are the absorbent part of the diaper and the cover combined into a single diaper, just like disposables. These cloth diapers are the easiest and most leak proof diapers to use and have a built in diaper cover sewn into the cotton or fleece layer. They fasten with snaps or velcro and work like the ease of a disposable. There are many varieties of the All In Ones. There is the easy to use, bumGenius!, Thirsties, OsoCozy, Imse Vimse, and Dream-Eze.
4. Pocket Diapers - There's one other category of diapers called the pocket diaper. These have a layer of fleece sewn to a cover (either fleece or PUL) with an opening in the back so that the inside of the diaper can be stuffed with any absorbent layer. The three main components of the "Pocket Diapers" are the waterproof outer barrier fabric that is sewn to the second component, and then the inner moisture-wicking fabric that keeps the skin feeling dry. The biggest manufacturer of this style of diaper is Mother of Eden, which makes Fuzzi Bunz (FB). Fuzzi Bunz diapers are a pocket diaper that fits from birth to potty training. The pocket diapers come in a large variety of colors and prints and are quite stylish. The downside? The pocket diapers can be a little tricky to care for.
When it comes to cleaning any of your cloth diapers, there are also a variety of approaches. Many people use what are called doublers or liners. Doublers are not only easy to dispose of but they also are used to add absorbency to your diapers. Using a doubler helps with overnight or naptime situations. Some cloth diapers, such as Prefold, may not need doublers during naps - you may have to experiment.
When it comes to liners, these can help you keep your baby's butt drier than having their skin against wet cotton. Liners are easy to dispose of as well, they peel away from the diaper and are easily flushed. Flannel liners may be a better choice over polyester if your baby's skin is sensitive.
Yes, the cloth diaper world has changed, and for the better, with more and more options, for the picky and conscientious mother to choose from.Kelly's Closet is committed to providing high quality products and superior customer service that is unmatched in the cloth diaper industry. Trusted brands such as Fuzzi Bunz, Bumgenius and Happy Heinys are available along with a wide range of associated baby gear. Visit online today.
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