Cloth diapers are making a comeback, and for good reason. Actually, for many good reasons! Money savings, eco-friendliness, and health advantages for sensitive babies are just a few. With their ease of use, waterproof options, and stylish designs, choosing cloth is easier than ever.

So Why Should You Choose Cloth?

Cost:
The average child uses approximately 10,000 diapers before being potty trained. National disposable brands cost around $0.20 each, for a total of $2000 over the lifetime of diapering. In comparison, although cloth diapers are more expensive initially, in the long run they can be significantly more cost effective, especially if you plan to use them for more than one child. Cloth diapers are made to wash well, and should last a minimum of 75-100 washes when laundered properly.

Skin and Health:
Babies who are cloth diapered are much less likely to develop rash and skin irritation. Cotton diapers allow skin to breathe, and have none of the chemicals and bleach of commercial disposables. Included in disposables is Dioxin, a chemical the EPA lists as cancer causing, and Sodium Polyacrylate, a super absorbent powder that turns to gel when wet and has controversial health risks. Disposable diapers have been linked to asthma and increases in male infertility as
well.

Environment:
Disposable diapers are the 3rd single largest contributor to our landfills and can take centuries to break down—estimates are as high as 500 years! Cloth diapering can significantly reduce this negative impact to our solid waste resources, and take much less energy to manufacture. Disposable diapers use wood pulp for production (the manufacturing of wood pulp requires vast amounts of water). Cloth diapers use less water overall, even with frequent laundering. Although diaper manufacturers may disagree, environ-mentalists don’t: it’s always better to reuse!

Easier Potty Training:
Many parents agree that a child in cloth diapers has a better understanding of their own elimination, since they allow a child to feel “wet”, unlike disposables that whisk away moisture. Because of this, many children learn to potty train earlier, with cloth diapers easing the transition.

The Cute Factor:
With all the chic styles and endless patterns that cloth diapers are available in, wrapping your baby in one can be a fashion statement that is as adorable as she/he is. The cute factor alone makes these diapers hard to resist.