Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
"You use cloth diapers!? Why?!"
When I tell people that I use cloth diapers, the most common response seems to be "Why?!" (said with a look of disbelief on their face). Here are just a few of the reasons why we decided to use cloth diapers:
Environmental Impact - When I was in the 6th grade, my computer class did a big Earth Day project, and we all chose various topics to report on. I chose to do a slideshow on how long it takes different items to decompose. The slideshow would begin by showing the item on the first slide, then the next slide would tell everyone how long it takes for that item to decompose. I remember researching all of the items, from banana peels, to aluminum cans, to styrofoam, and I remember being shocked by how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose - 500 years! I'm not an environmentalist freak, but I just can't imagine contributing to all of those diapers sitting around in landfills. From then on, I knew that I wanted to use cloth diapers.
I've also recently learned that 92% of single-use diapers end up in landfills (1), making them the third largest consumer item in landfills (2); and when you consider that over 18 billion diapers are used annually1, that's alot of diapers that will be sitting around in landfills long after we are gone. Adding to that fact, most disposable diapers are not even disposed of properly. Instructions on disposable diapers indicate that you are to empty fecal matter into the toilet before disposing the diaper, yet less than one half of one percent of all disposable diaper waste goes into the sewage system before being thrown out (1). This poses a very serious danger to our ecosystem, as viruses have the ability to leach out and contaminate ground water. Further compacting the environmental issue is that even more resources are used (wood, water, oil for the the plastic, etc) in the production, transportation, and packaging of disposable diapers. A study conducted by the National Association of Diaper Services (NADS) found that disposable diapers produce seven times more solid waste when discarded and three times more waste in the manufacturing process (8).
Health Issues - Disposable diapers are full of harsh chemicals and toxins, one of which are dioxins (or polyhalogenated compounds, which are a by-product of the bleaching process used in the manufacturing of the paper used on disposable diapers). The EPA lists dioxins as one of the most toxic of all known cancer causing substances (3). In fact, dioxins are banned in several countries. Further, disposable diapers contain Tributyltin (TBT) which has been linked to obesity (4) and hormonal problems (5).
And how do you think disposable diapers absorb all that moisture? Have you ever noticed a gel-like substance on your baby during a diaper change? Disposable diapers contain sodium polycrylate, a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), which turns to gel when wet. The use of SAPs was discontinued from use in tampons in the 80's, when they were linked to toxic shock syndrome (6).
When I was pregnant and researching cloth diapers, one of the most shocking studies I came across showed that there was an increased scrotal temperature in boys who wore plastic lined disposable diapers over boys who wore cloth diapers (7). Increased scrotal temperatures have been linked to a decline in sperm counts and an increase in testicular cancer, both of which have been on the rise in recent years. As a mom of a boy, I hope that my efforts now will prevent him from serious health issues later in life.
Money - Both cloth and disposable diapers cost money, but cloth diapers are reusable and can be used over and over and on more than one child, whereas disposable diapers are a single use item. One site's cost analysis found that you can save a minimum of $2,300 to upwards of $5,000 by choosing cloth. And you can save even more when you use cloth wipes instead of disposables.
The Cuteness Factor - Let's face it, most cloth diapers are way cuter than the average disposable diaper. The few times that I've had to purchase disposable diapers, I have ended up with a drawer full of white diapers that were decorated by Pooh and Friends and Sesame Street characters. By contrast, I have several cloth diapers in bright, bold solids (blues, lime green, etc) as well as fun stripes and prints.
1 Lehrburger, Carl. 1988. Diapers in the Waste Stream: A review of waste management and public policy issues. 1988. Sheffield, MA: self-published.
2 Link, Ann. Disposable nappies: a case study in waste prevention. April 2003. Women's Environmental Network.
3 Allsopp, Michelle. Achieving Zero Dioxin: An emergency strategy for dioxin elimination. September 1994. Greenpeace. http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/reports/azd/azd.html
4 Staff (2008-12-03). "Persistent Pollutant May Promote Obesity". Science Daily.
5 Greenpeace. New Tests Confirm TBT Poison in Procter & Gamble's Pampers: Greenpeace Demands World-Wide Ban of Organotins in All Products. 15 May 2000.
6 Armstrong, Liz and Adrienne Scott Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women's Sanitary Products and Disposable Diapers, What You Can Do About It. 1993. HarperCollins.
7 Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2000. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. V.83: 364 - 368.
8 Leherburger/Mullen/Jones, "Diapers: Environmental Impacts and Lifecycle Analysis," January 1991
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Cloth Diapering 101 - Accessories
Depending on the diaper system(s) that you choose, you will also need a variety of cloth diapering accessories.
Snappi - A snappi is an alternative to metal pins for those that don't want to or know how to use pins or for those who might be scared to use pins with a baby. They are made of a stretchable, flexible plastic, and are t-shaped, with little combs at each end that grip into the diaper fabric.
Wetbags and Pail Liners - Wetbags are a waterproof, odorproof bags, usually made from PUL that are used to store soiled diapers when you are out and about. The bags come in a variety of prints and sizes. The size you need will be determined by how long you will be out, and by how many diapers you go through during that period of time. Most wetbags hold anywhere from 2-8 diapers. They are usually held shut by a drawstring, zipper, or velcro. It is always a good idea to have two wetbags, one to use in the diaper bag, and one to have in the wash. Pail liners are similar to a wetbag, only they are designed to be used inside of a trash can or other diaper pail. Some people opt to use a large wetbag in lieu of a diaper pail. A large wetbag will usually hang from a hook or doorknob.
Inserts - Inserts typically refer to the absorbent pads that are used in pocket diapers. They are usually made from several layers of cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfiber, or a combination of materials. The amount
Doublers - Doublers are pads used to increase a diapers absorbency. They can be added to a pocket diaper along with the insert, or they can lay on top of of the diaper. They are also available in a variety of materials (microfiber, cotton, etc).
Liners - Liners are placed next to the baby's skin and are non-absorbent. They can be used to wick moisture away from the baby's skin so that the baby feels dry (typically a fleece liner), or they are used to protect a diaper from stains and diaper rash cream. They can also be used to help make diaper clean up easier. They can either be disposable or reusable.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Cloth Diapering 101 - Types of Diapers
When I first started researching cloth diapers, one of the most confusing things to me was all of the different types of diapers. I put this together in case anyone else is interested in cloth diapering, or in case you're curious about the types of cloth diapers available.
Types of diapers:
Flats:
Flat diapers are what most people envision when they think of cloth diapers. They are large, square shaped pieces of fabric, usually made from a single layer of cotton (birdseye or muslin weaves are most common). Flats are folded around the baby, and then they are pinned or snappi'd (a type of closure device) into place. They require the use of a cover (explained below). To see how to fold and and secure a flat diaper, go here.
Prefolds:
A prefold is a rectangular piece of fabric, with extra absorbent layers sewn into the middle section. To use these, you can either tri-fold them and lay them inside of a cover, or you can fold them and hold them closed with a pin or a snapi. Prefolds also require the use of a cover. A prefold's absorbency will usually be identified as 4x8x4 (or similar). These numbers refer to how many layers are in each section (left, middle, right).
Most prefolds are made from cotton, but they can also be made from hemp or bamboo. The cotton prefolds are available in Chinese (often abbreviated as CPF) or Indian styles. Indian styles are slightly softer and less pilly than a CPF. Both styles are available in white (bleached) or unbleached. Because prefolds are made from cotton, they will need to be prepped (meaning they will be stripped of their natural oils) by washing them multiple times on hot. You can also prep them by boiling them with a squirt of Dawn. Cotton prefolds will shrink and quilt up when fully prepped.
Two of the most popular brands of prefolds are Green Mountain and Little Lions. Green Mountain prefolds are unique in that they are "sized," meaning they are cut and serged in order to fit babies without as much extra bulk. When buying a prefold, it is important to get a Diaper Service Quality (DSQ) grade prefold. Unfortunately, most of the big store brands of prefold diapers are not DSQ, and will not be as absorbent. Those types are better suited towards use as a burp cloth.
To see how to fold a prefold, go here.
Fitteds:
Fitted diapers are a step up from prefolds and flats. These diapers are contoured to fit around the baby, and they have elastic on the legs and back for a more secure fit. They fasten with a built-in snap system or aplix/touchtape/velcro closure. These diapers resemble the fit of a disposable diaper when they are worn. Fitted diapers come in a variety of materials such as cotton, bamboo, and hemp. They can be solid or they can come in a variety of colors and prints. If you choose to have a print, it's basically for your own pleasure, as fitted diapers still require the use of a cover. There are a ton of different brands of fitted diapers available.
Contours:
A contour diaper is similar to a fitted, except that they usually do not contain elastic on the back or on the legs. These diapers must be pulled to fit around the baby, and then pinned or snappi'd into place. They also require the use of a cover.
Covers:
Covers are required when using any of the above diaper systems. They are often fitted and provide a waterproof barrier around the diaper. There are several different types of covers available:
- Polyurethane Laminated (PUL) - A specially designed fabric that has been heat laminated to a layer of polyurethane. PUL is waterproof and able to withstand multiple washings.
- Fleece - Fleece is a great alternative to PUL, as it is a breathable, waterproof fabric. Because fleece is made from 1005 polyester, it allows the air around the diaper to circulate. Fleece covers are sometimes referred to as "soakers." They dry quickly and can withstand heavy washing.
- Wool - Wool is a naturally waterproof fabric that can also be utilized as a diaper cover. These covers can be knitted together (often called shorties, longies, or woolies), or they can be fitted. Many cloth diaper users prefer to use wool, as it is natural fiber and is breathable in any climate. Wool is highly absorbent, yet stays dry to the touch. Wool cannot be dried in the dryer, or it will shrink.
Top Row: XS Thristies, Bummis Super Whisper Wrap
Bottom: Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Velour
Pockets:
Pocket diapers consist of an outer waterproof layer, and an inner stay-dry layer (usually microfleece or suedecloth), which is designed to wick moisture away from the baby's skin. The diaper is called a pocket because a pocket exists between the two layers that allows you to "stuff" inserts into in order to provide a customizable absorbency. Popular brands include BumGenius, Fuzzi Bunz, and Blueberry.
A Blueberry Minky Cow Print Diaper:
And a close up of the pocket. I left the insert out a bit so you can see how to stuff it. To use the diaper, obviously, you would have to have the insert in the pocket or you risk it wicking onto clothes:
All In One (AIO):
Are similar to pockets, except for the fact that that extra absorbency is built into the diaper and is not removable. These diapers have either snaps or hook-and loop (velcro/aplix) closures. These are the cloth diapers that most resemble a disposable diaper in design and appearance when worn. They do not require pinning, snappi, or covers, and as a result, are one of the most user friendly systems available. The disadvantage to these diapers is that they are often more expensive than the other options, and they often require longer drying times.
All In 2 (AI2):
Very similar to the AIO, except that the absorbent layers snap into the outer diaper shell. The shell can be reused as long as it is not soiled. AI2's will usually dry faster than an AIO because they have the ability to be taken apart and dried separately.
GroBaby diaper:
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