Cloth Diapers: Debunking The Myths
ATTENTION: Don’t miss the cloth diaper giveaway at the bottom of this post!
A fresh look at cloth diapers
Eat, poop, sleep. That pretty much rounds out the list of accomplishments that you can expect for at least the first few months of your new baby’s life. So it’s no wonder that these three issues…feeding, diapering, and sleeping are the ones that most new parents become so obsessed about.
The great diaper debate, in particular, is one that can elicit passionate responses on both sides of the spectrum. Well, I’m not here to tell you what to do. As parents, we all have to figure out what will work best in our own homes and with our own children. But I am here to debunk the myths that continually pop up in diapering conversations. Here are some cloth diapering facts I thought you should know:
MYTH: Cloth diapers are icky
FACT: I can’t help but chuckle whenever I hear someone say that they don’t want to use cloth diapers because they don’t want to touch poop. Trust me, after your new baby is born, touching poop will be the least of your worries. On a daily basis, you will find yourself covered with such a wide variety of excrement and bodily fluids, that a little poop will probably go unnoticed. Yes, poop is icky, but if you think disposable diapers will somehow protect you from these precious little bundles, you obviously have never witnessed baby poop firsthand.
MYTH: Cloth diapers are time consuming
FACT: Here’s the deal….back in olden days, cloth diapers required a complicated fold, safety pins, and special waterproof pants. And yes, the typical cloth diaper change back then probably did take about 5 seconds longer than the typical disposable diaper change. But have you looked at cloth diapers lately? They now come in prefolded, all-in-one models that simply snap and go. The only difference between a cloth diaper change and a disposable diaper change now is that with cloth you toss the used diaper in the washing machine instead of the trash. Time is no longer a factor.
MYTH: Cloth diapers are expensive
FACT: Take one look at a cloth diaper catalog or website and you may feel a bit of sticker shock. No doubt, investing a hundred or so dollars up front in cloth diapers is more expensive than buying a pack of disposables for $20. But just think how quickly those $20s will add up. The average baby is likely to need a new pack of disposables every 2 weeks. Do the math…you’ll spend $240 in disposables diapers in just 6 months. Study after study after study after study has concluded that using cloth diapers can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your child’s diapering career. That’s a fact.
MYTH: Cloth diapers are no better for the environment than disposables
FACT: The disposable diaper industry has long contended that the cloth diapers have just as big of an environmental impact as disposables because they require energy and water to wash. This theory was more or less substantiated by a flawed 2005 British study that found no difference between the eco-impact of cloth vs. disposable diapers. How do I know this study was flawed? Because I read it. And not just the press release that came from it. I read the actual study and I looked at it not only as a mom of two, and as a green parent, but also as a scientist (did I mention that I have a Master’s in Environmental Science?) Here’s why this study is flawed:
- The study surveyed 2,183 parents; 2,000 of whom used disposable diapers, 183 used cloth diaper. It doesn’t take a scientist to know that these numbers don’t add up. The study’s results are neither balanced nor conclusive.
- The study did NOT take into account the measures that many cloth diapering parents take to minimize their use of both water and energy (such as using Energy-Star rated laundry machines, washing full loads, line drying, and washing in warm instead of hot water.)
- The study did NOT account for the fact that in most cases, cloth diapers are passed on to subsequent children (either to siblings or to friends) thereby dramatically reducing their initial environmental impact.
- The study only looked at one type of cloth diaper (a terry cloth diaper) that is traditionally more energy intensive to dry than other types of cloth diapers.
Need another great reason to try cloth diapers? How about a free trial pack? That’s right, today’s contest is for a starter pack of 4 Fuzzi Bunz diapers….you pick the sizes and colors that work best for you. Now, this is the brand that I used on my youngest and I can tell you right now that they rock. But the best endorsement of all comes from my daughter. The first time I put one on her, she got a gleam in her eye and said, “soft.” You just can’t make that stuff up! Here’s how to enter:
There’s 3 ways to enter:
1. Subscribe to The Green Parent via RSS or Email. If you’re already a subscriber, just leave me a comment below and say so!
2. Join The Green Parents Forum (already a member? leave a comment below!)
3. Spread the word about this contest via Twitter, Stumble, Digg, Facebook, MySpace, etc.
Leave a comment below each time you do one of these things...each comment equals one entry. The winning comment will be chosen by Random.org. Contest ends Sunday!
Here are your random numbers:
5
Timestamp: 2008-09-22 10:32:11 UTC
Congrats Charlotte!!
I’m a subscriber! I’m a subscriber! I’ve cloth diapered 3 out of my 4 children, and love it! Fuzzy Buns are the cadillac of cloth diapers!
p.s.
I tweeted this too
OH i’m a subscriber, as well! and i’m all about the fuzzi bunz! the new design is just awesome.
I would love to start on cloth diapers! I already subscribe by google reader.
I’m a subscriber! and I’ll be cloth diapering my first starting next spring - I’d love to try fuzzi bunz!
Posted on facebook. I’m looking to change to cloth.
I’m a member of the Green Parents forum already too!
I subscribe by email. I think the FuzziBunz Are awesome!
These diapers are just too cute!!!
I subscribed- I love fuzzi bunz and am expecting my third this spring!
Pregnant with #2 and planning on cloth diapering this time. Have been looking at Fuzzi Buns for a brand to try. Would love to win.
I’m already an RSS subscriber.
Off to twitter about the contest!
twittered about it as well!
see it at http://twitter.com/ihadaplan
I’m a subscriber too. We love our fuzzi bunz and would love more of them in the next size!
I obviously didn’t have the entire scoop on cloth diapers! Now I can’t wait to have another baby!! Thanks so much for the info!
Nice job on de-bunking the myths, Jenn. I didn’t know you were an environmental scientist!
Cloth diapers are definitely *not* like the old days. They’re so much more easy now. And given the toxic chemicals used in disposables to absorb and hold the fluid–cloth diapers are so much healthier, too!
We love our Fuzzi Bunz! I’ve successfully converted a friend to cloth diapering and would love to win a starter pack for her to try out!
I have heard good things about Fuzzi Bunz and would love to give them a try, so this is a fabulous giveaway. I am a subscriber to The Green Parent via e-mail.
I have joined The Green Parents Forum!! =)
I will definitely spread the word about this contest via myspace and my blog. As much as I would love to win, it would be just as great to have one of my friends receive the gift.
I’m a subscriber and I am so glad you posted this today. I am about to put in our cloth diaper order and was having a wishy-washy moment. I also like the fact the potty training is said to be easier with cloth diapered kids. that’s another seller for me.
I’m subscribed! Thanks!
This is one area where I was lax with my girls (didn’t know about all the great options with my first) but am ready to start with my younger!
I subscribe and I’d love to try these cloth diapers. I’m expecting my second baby so I would love to win!
I subscribe via Goggle Reader and love your blog. Excellent job debunking the myth that cloth are just as bad as disposables for the environment. I use prefolds and bumkins on my twin girls, but would love to try fuzzi bunz on them!! Thanks for the chance to win!
and posted about it at my blog:
http://twoluvcats.com/baby/?p=47
I’m an RSS subscriber. Having a baby in January or Feb, depending on when she decides to come out, so I’ve been looking at cloth diapers.
Fuzzi bunz are great! WE are subscribers and would love some new diapers.
great site, great content, great diapers! Fuzzi Bunz are fantastic, go cloth people, go cloth!
I’m a subscriber who has just started on the journey with cloth diapers! Would love some Fuzzi Bunz to add to the stash!
Just added link to my facebook account!
Just joined the Green parent forum! Very passionate about cloth diapers, can you tell?
Gotta love being green!
I added this to my facebook, it’s great!
I’m a subscriber and I love Fuzzi Bunz!
And I added to my facebook!
I am a subscriber….and would love to win! I really want to try cloth with my baby girl!!!
thank you SO much for this article. you are on my email everyday, so i can always keep up on what your latest blog is! Fuzzi Bunz DO ROCK. i recommend them to ALL my friends! thanks for your website and please keep up the great articles!
I subscribe to the feed on Google Reader. We cloth diaper and LOVE it, but use one-size pocket diapers to save even more money. They do max out at about 30-35 lbs and I would love to have a few Fuzzi Bunz in a bigger size!
Does, “contest ends Sunday” mean sunday night, or do I still have a chance at the dipes? I subscribe! LOVE your site and check here frequently. I would feel so lucky if I won the random draw. I invested in cloth with my first baby last year and thought I was set for my second. Now we found out we are pregnant with twins so I gotta get another stash! Fingers crossed; )
I think I missed this one
I subscribed! We are trying for our first child and I’m looking forward to using cloth!
I joined the forum. I read the article because my mom, who passed a way a few years ago, once said “my kids never had diaper rash because we used cloth diapers and changed them when they needed to be changed.” I think the water-proof disposables sometimes allows more time to pass before the diapers get changed…not good for the babies!
I look forward to every edition of the greenparent . Being a mother of three children aged 7 ,4 and4months I have found it a resourse to are family it appeals to my husband too especially the section on eco homes !i deliberately leave a few copies out whenever we have visitors this encourages conversation on parenting topics and promotes a healthier lifestyle . I subscribed a few years ago and i am so glad that i did . I use moltex ioo% biodigradable nappies and i am interested in switching to cloth please advise as so far these have leaked are there any diagrams to show me a better way as i am determined to stick to cloth and learn to get it right !
I would love to win some fuzzy bunz! I would like to switch my little guy over to cloth who just turned one, and prepare for the second with cloths too! Cost effective and environmentally friendly! I just got laid off of work so winning a few would be soooo helpful!
I agree, Cloth Diapers are not as expensive as everyone thinks. As far as poop being icky. Oh! believe me its not as you think. The best is cloth diapers are very safe and has no chemicals in it.
I’m a Subcriber! My first child is due in January and my husband and I are definitely going the cloth route!
Being in the business, I appreciate blogs like yours that promote cloth diapers. Its a verys imple way for moms to do their part to save the planet.