Using Cloth Diapers Saves Money

By Tyler Flemming in Family on August 1st, 2008

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by Tyler Flemming

Cloth diapers have the distinct advantage of being reusable. Hence, they are better known as Reusable Diapers. These diapers give a feeling of softness and tenderness to the babys skin. Due to their reusability, they last longer, cost less to use, and are friendly to the environment. Disposable diapers clog landfills and take many years to break down.

Another advantage is that cloth diapers do not contain chemicals that some disposable diapers contain. Disposable diapers have been reported to contain some amount of Dioxin. This substance is a highly toxic paper-bleaching by-product. It is carcinogenic, and has been listed by EPA as amongst the most toxic with regards to cancer-oriented chemicals. This material has been banned in majority of countries. However, its still prevalent in the United States. Another toxin contained in disposable diapers is TBT (Tributyl-tin). Its just one of the toxic pollutants that has been known to cause hormonal problems in some animals and humans.

Sodium polyacrylate is another chemical present in disposable diapers. It can be described as SAP (super absorbent polymer), that acquires gel-like properties on getting wet. A substance having similar properties was used in Super-absorbency tampons till 1980s when the revelation of it increasing toxic shock syndromes risk came out. As per the survey carried out recently, usage of disposable diapers for a long time would entirely abolish or blunt the physiological Testicular Cooling Mechanism essential for general spermatogenesis.

Lets assume that a baby needs between 2000 and 3000 diapers per year. The price of disposable diapers is around 25 cents and brand names are around 38 cents. The average comes to around 32 cents. Thus, the monthly cost per child in terms of disposable diapers could be around 78.00 every month.

Cloth diapers may be a more expensive at first, but the cost is really not that much more than disposable diapers. Just think of all the money you can save by reusing them multiple times. If you care for cloth diapers like you would your own clothes, they will last a very long time through many generations. Be sure to wash them on a regular basis using quality detergents that will help soothe your babys skin.

Trying both types of diapers to see which one works best for you and your baby is probably a good idea. You can also ask your friends and family what they preferred when bringing up their own children. In the end, it comes down to your choice and your baby’s.

About the Author:

Tyler is a proud parent of 3 children on cloth diapers. By choosing to use cloth diapers, he stopped thousands from entering our landfills. Using reusable diaper s helps save our environment.