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XP: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers

MrsKatieMrsKatie
in Eco-Friendly Family

 I posted this on the 1st-Tri board and they directed me to you!

So I'm completely new to this whole pregnancy/baby thing.  I know a lot of people are using cloth diapers versus the disposables.  What are the benefits to using cloth (beside the whole chemical issue)?  Is it more costly?  Is it more time consuming or just an extra load in the laundry?

Thanks!

M + K = 05.16.09 | A.P. = 02.27.11
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Re: XP: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers

  • star173star173 member

    The ladies on here will have much more information than me, but I have this blog post (and it's helpful because it links to lots of other blogs. :)

    good luck!!

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  • MrsKatieMrsKatie

    Thank you!

    And, oh my, your kids are beautiful!!

    M + K = 05.16.09 | A.P. = 02.27.11
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  • triumphantreturnofplanningbugtriumphantreturnofplanningbug

    There's also a lot of great information on the Eco-Friendly Family blog.

    For me, the "just the chemicals" was where I started, because I'm allergic to everything, and I didn't want any future child suffering contact dermatitis like I get, or chemical burns like many babies get from sposies.

    Another big issue for me was/is waste. The average baby will produce 2 tons of diapers before s/he potty trains, which is likely to hang around in landfills, leaching chemicals into the land and groundwater, for somewhere around 500 years. Not okay by me.

    Cloth is more costly up front, but will save you thousands over disposables (if you can resist the urge to stash cuteness that you will never use but just want because it's cute).

    I have no idea about the actual laundry factor.

    Also stick around here as you have more specific questions, the women are fabulous and helpful!

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    Mother's Day, 2011
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  • njh514njh514 member

    It takes nearly 500 years for one disposal diaper to decompose. With a newborn you could easily go through 10 a day. As they get older about 8 a day.

    Doing that math made me run from disposables. 

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  • JennicapJennicap member
    I did a paper on the effects of using disposible diapers. On average you will spend about 3K in diapers from birth to potty training. my current stash cost me about $300 and I expect to increase my stash a little over the years so say another $200 max I will buy to add to it and so for about $500 I am diapering my child from birth to potty training, then for each additional kid the savings just keep adding up! 

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  • BoizmomBoizmom member

    What forced my hand was that my son started getting rashes and then started bleeding from his disposable diapers.  I tried every brand I could get my hands on and reacted with each one.

    A major plus is the money I have saved so far.  I spent $378 on all of my diapers, my wet bag, diaper pail, liner, detergent, stay-dry over night soakers and several rolls of flushable liners.

    I have found that a cold rinse, hot wash and a cold rinse are all that I need to do to clean my diapers.  It's so easy.  I throw the inserts in the dryer and hang dry the shells.

    My husband of all people LOVES the cloth diapers and says it's way easier and more convenient then disposables!

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