Can cloth diapers really be as convenient/easy to use as disposables?

Absolutely!  Putting on an AIO (All-in-One) cloth diaper is just as easy as puting on a disposable.  Just snap it on and go!  And, I find it very convenient to have the money left over each week that I would have spent on disposables (the average family will save $25-$45/week).

Will we really save money using cloth diapers?

According to Consumer Reports, the average cost of disposables was estimated as being between $1500 and $2100!!  Even when you take into account the cost of washing, drying, laundry detertent, and the wear and tear on your washer/dryer, you will save tons of money.  In fact, if you are in need of a new washer and dryer, using cloth diapers will save you enough money with your first child that you can buy a new set and still have extra money.



How many cloth diapers should I have?

The average newborn will need 10-12 diaper changes per day, the average older baby will need 8-10 changes per day.  How many changes you will need on hand will depend on how often you will be washing diapers.  24-30 changes would allow most families to do diaper laundry every 2-3 days.  Find money saving Package Deals here.

Are cloth diapers as absorbent as disposables?

Disposable diapers can absob more urine than cloth diapers.  This is because they contain chemicals inside the layers of paper which turn urine into a gel.  They get heavier when full, rather than overflow and leak.  This leaves parentes unaware that their child is sitting in a urine filled, chemical laden diaper far longer than is healthy or hygienic.

Cloth diapers can absorb the normal amount of urine that a baby can produce at one, possibly two times.  Absorbency can be added for use during extended wear or for heavy wetters.  It is heathiest for your baby to change them once they are wet or soiled.  This makes any extra absorbency features of disposables an unhealthy disadvantage.



Are cloth diapers healthier then disposables?

Disposable diapers have artificial chemical absorbents such as acrylic acid polymer salts added to their all wood pulp padding in order to increase absorbency.  These granules trun into gel when they come in contact with moisture.  This gel, which is linked to toxic shock syndrome, ends up on your baby.

Can I use cloth diapers if my child goes to daycare?

Yes, you can.  Talk to your daycare provider and show them the AIO's and how easy they are to use.  Just tell your daycare provider that instead of folding up a disposable diaper and tossing it in the trash, they can fold up your cloth diaper, put it in a zip lock bag, and give it back to you.  You can take care of the rest when you get home.  Or, to make things even easier, you can use flushable liners while your baby is at daycare.



  Are cloth diapers better for the environment?

The production of disposalbe diapers consumes an inordinate amount of resources and energy adding 2.8 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic, and paper to landfills annually.  Besides filling dwindling landfill space, disposable diapers endanger health and the environment.  The potential for disease to spread via ground water has also been cited.

The average disposable wearing baby will create two tons of bio-hazardous waste that will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years.   It takes a billion treen every year to produce disposable diapers for the earth's children.

What about diaper rash?

Babies in cloth have about a 7% incidence of diaper rash.  Babies in disposables have about a 78% incidence.  Most diaper rash is caused by baby's delicate shin being in contact with the harsh chemicals used in disposables.  Also, cloth diapers are changed more often, lessening the time that baby's tender skin is exposed to acidic urine.

How often should I change my baby?

In general, a cloth diapered baby is changed more often then a baby in disposables.  That does NOT mean a cloth diapered baby "goes" more often, it simply meanspeople tend to respond more quickly/frequently to a wet cloth diaper than to a wet disposable.  As a general rule, you should change your baby when they are wet, or about every 2 hours.



Can I use cloth diapers when we are out and about?

Definitely.  The key to successful cloth diapering when away from home is a well stocked and organized diaper bag.  Depending on the length of time you will be out, you should make sure to take along plenty of diapers.  Use a hemp Super or Foldable Booster for extended wearing time.  Make sure that you have some cloth wipes, and some empty zip locking plasic bags (for dirty diapers) in your diaper bag.  It is as easy to change a cloth diaper when you are out as it is when you are at home.  If you want poopy diaper clean up to be easier, you can even use flushable liners when you are out.

  Can I use cloth diapers at night?

The key to using cloth diapers at night is to determine how much, if any, extra absorbency yoru baby will need to make it through the night.  Usually a  tri-fold soaker and a Foldable Booster is plenty, but it will depend largely on yoru baby's wetting habits.  If they are a very heavy night time wetter, you can add a 100% cotton terry washcloth, bootsers, another tri-fold soaker (if doubling the soakers you might want to fold them in half instead of thirds), or even an infant prefold.

About the author:  Hello :-)  My name is Jennifer and I am the owner/creator of Little Lambs, a store featuring hight quality One Size AIO's, premium hemp products , baby slings & gear, crib bedding sets, classic baby/kids apparel, and Items for Mom.  Check out our Bargain Boutique for specials, and our Package Deals for incredible savings on cloth diapering layettes.  We have daily auctions that start at only a penny!