Diaper Reviews

Diaper reviews: What should you buy:? Regular disposables like Huggies? Cloth diapers? Natural disposables?

If you choose cloth, should it be prefolded diapers, all-in-one cloth diapers, or yet a different method?

Arrgghhh! So many choices!

What about this question: what is best for you, your baby and the environment?

Pssst...There is a Diaper War Going On

You may not know that there is a diaper war going on...but there is.

It was not that long ago, everyone used cloth baby diapers. There was no other choice...so end of story.

Then, disposable diapers entered the world, and by the 1980s, nearly everyone had switched. In the U.S., it is estimated that about 95 percent of parents choose disposable diapers over cloth baby diapers.

But as landfills became inundated with diapers, environmentalists urged a switch back to cloth cotton diapers. After all, it is a fact that diapers make up a huge part of the garbage we dump in our nation's landfills every year.

Diaper Reviews
So...Cloth versus Disposables

Diaper Reviews:
The Environmental Impact

The question needs to be asked: Are cloth diapers really better for the environment? After all, washing cloth diapers raises environmental concerns as well:

It uses energy

It uses water

The detergents can pollute our water supply

Some argue that if you use a diaper service the delivery trucks use up gas and oil

As you can see, the debate over the impact on the environment of disposables versus cloth baby diapers is not at all clear cut. The question truly is which aspect of the environment do you value the most?

Disposables and cotton diapers each have their own advantages to you, your baby and of course the environment.

Diaper Reviews:
Convenience

If you want convenience there is no doubt that disposable diapers rank first. After all, nothing is as convenient as throwing a soiled diaper in the trash.

In contrast, cloth diapers need to be stored then washed. Sometimes, they need to be rinsed before storing them in a diaper pail. And since we are on the subject of diaper pails, you do need one and a place to put it...

...Are you thinking what we are thinking?

Stinky?

Yes, soiled diapers do smell especially if baby is not breastfed and/or after your little one starts solid foods. Even if, you use a diaper service, the diaper covers are yours to wash.

Now there are ways to minimize this inconvenience.

Also another thing to remember is that cloth diapers will leak more readily than disposables and in the long run this means more washing.

Disposables are a must when traveling. As you can see all the advantages of disposables are convenience, convenience and...

...and yes you gessed it...convenience.

Diaper Reviews:
The Cost

Now when you look at the cost, disposables don't look nearly as exciting a choice as cloth diapers. However, if you use a diaper service, the cost will match pretty closely that of disposables.

So the money saved is only if you launder your own diapers.

Diaper Reviews:
What About Comfort?

What about comfort? That is an important point to you and certainly to your baby. After all, you don't wear the diapers.

Some say that babies who wear cloth diapers get fewer rashes.

Others will say the opposite.

Now it is a fact that cloth diapers must be changed more often and that therefore your baby's skin will be in contact with urine for shorter periods of time, which would mean less rashes. Then again with all the goo in the disposables baby stays pretty dry.

It is also much easier to monitor - if you needed to - your baby's urinary output in cloth diapers. In cloth diapers, your baby will have soft cotton against his bottom.

So as far as comfort goes it is a toss up. We don't know if anyone has actually asked the baby!

Diaper Reviews:
Verdict From the Latest Studies

To add to a difficult debate, a new study released in England has added fuel to the fire.

A three year study concluded that disposable diapers have the same environmental impact as cloth diapers when the effect of laundering cloth diapers is taken into account.

So as you can see, basically no diapers are impact free, this is the reason why there has been the birth of a new movement...

...no diapers at all!

Are there other factors to consider in the diaper debate?

Yes!

And those factors may be the most compelling...health factors.

Diapers and Your Baby's Health

Diaper Reviews: Toxins

Now cloth baby diapers win hands down for health. They do not contain chemicals. On the other hand, disposables are full of them. This can be remedied by buying natural disposable diapers.

The super absorbent chemical, sodium polyacrylate, absorbs and holds fluids in the diaper. This chemical has been linked to:

Toxic shock syndrome

Allergic reactions

Is lethal to cats if inhaled

Moreover, death has occurred from ingestion of just 5 grams of this chemical.

Dioxin, the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency - EPA - is a byproduct of bleaching paper. Even in the smallest detectable quantities, dioxin has been known to:

Cause liver disease

Immune system suppression

Genetic damage in lab animals.

Dyes found in some disposables are known to damage:

The central nervous system

The kidneys

The liver.

The Food and Drug Administration - FDA - received reports that fragrances caused:

Rashes

Dizziness

A 2000 German study concluded that boys who wear disposable diapers maintain a higher scrotal temperature than boys wearing cloth diapers, which may pose fertility issues later in life.

Another study, published in 1999 by Anderson Laboratories, found that lab mice exposed to various brands of disposable diapers experienced asthma-like symptoms, as well as eye, nose and throat irritation. Exposure to cloth diapers did not cause the symptoms.

Diapers and Potty Training

Finally, some toilet training experts have suggested that disposable diapers may postpone how soon your baby will be out of diapers.

The theory is that your baby does not feel the wetness as much in disposables and therefore does not associate the behavior - going pee - with the wetness on their bottom.

We think more along the lines that your baby will potty train when your baby is good and ready.

And just for the fun of it, you can easily learn to make a diaper cake which is sure to be a hit at any baby shower! It is cute and so much fun.

What is your opinion?

If you are already a mama which option did you choose? Why? If you are pregnant for the first time...what do you plan on using? We are sure you have an opinion...share it!