Facts About Disposable & Cloth Diapers

The options for diapering your baby are almost endless.

We've all heard the debates about which is better: cloth or disposable diapers. The truth is, deciding which is better should be based on each family's preferences. As with all parenting decisions, the balance between lifestyle and cost is delicate and varies from family to family.

History

The words "cloth diapers" often conjure visions of large pieces of thick cotton, wool or linen requiring safety pins to hold them on the baby. This style of diapering was used for centuries. In 1961, Procter and Gamble introduced Pampers, the first disposable diaper. In the intervening decades, disposable diapers have become easier to use, more absorbent and more common. During this same time frame, cloth diapers have changed as well. Some cloth diapers are now made of smaller, pre-shaped cloths and include Velcro or snaps instead of safety pins, making them just as easy to use as disposable diapers.

Cost

Before a child is toilet trained, he'll use up to 8,000 diapers, making the cost a primary concern for many new parents. Disposable diapers generally cost between $50 and $80 each month or an average of 36 cents per change. Cloth diapers have a higher up-front cost, but are cheaper later on, and average a cost of six to 23 cents per change, including energy and water costs for laundering. Average costs for using a diaper service are between $50 and $80 per month, depending on where you live and the services provided.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of disposable diapers has been well documented. According to a 1988 study commissioned by the National Association of Diaper Services (NADS), a family who chooses cloth diapers prevents one ton of solid waste from entering the waste stream. Additionally, the manufacture of disposable diapers uses 250,000 trees every year and contributes to the production of dioxin (a byproduct of bleaching wood pulp). Cloth diapers, however, are not entirely free from environmental impact. A 1990 study commissioned by Procter and Gamble concluded that laundering cloth diapers uses up to six times the amount of water used in the manufacture and use of disposable diapers and produces up to 10 times the amount of water pollution. In 2002 and again in 2008, the U.K. Department of Environment studied the life cycle of disposable and cloth diapers, from initial production to final disposal, and found that there was virtually no difference in environmental impact. Cloth diapers have a greater impact if laundered with high heat or tumble dried. However, cloth diapers can be reused on other children, decreasing the impact.

Ease of Use

There's no debate about the convenience factor of disposable diapers--you use it and then you throw it away. It's easy to travel because there's nearly always an available trashcan. Cloth diapers create more laundry (about two to three loads per week) and require a bag for "dirties" when out of the house.

Health Issues

Disposable diapers are made with super absorbent polymer (SAP) in order to keep wetness away from a baby's sensitive skin, helping to prevent diaper rash. Cloth diapers do not contain SAP, so the likelihood of diaper rash is increased. However, many disposable diapers also contain dyes, bleaches and fragrances that may cause irritation. Additionally, some of these chemicals have been linked to respiratory issues. However, with the variety of disposable diapers available, most parents can find a brand that does not irritate their baby's skin.

Potty Training

Proponents of using cloth diapers claim that a cloth diapered child will learn to use the toilet up to one year earlier than children in disposable diapers. The theory is that a child can feel a wet cloth diaper easier than she can feel a wet disposable diaper, which is designed to wick the water away from her skin. The earlier toilet training, of course, saves parents money and is more convenient than diapering of any kind.

References

• "Mothering" magazine; The Politics of Diapers; Mothering Staff; January-February 2003
• Green Guide: Diapers Buying Guide
• UK Department of Environment: An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies
• The New Parents Guide: Cloth vs. Disposable
• Diaper Decisions: The Cost of Cloth Diapers