Using Cloth Diapers Saves Money
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 potentially harmful chemical used in disposable diapers. It changes into a gel-like substance when it gets wet. A similar substance was used in certain feminine tampons until it was discovered to cause toxic shock syndrome in certain situations. A health survey has discovered that using disposable diapers could harm the testicular cooling mechanism in males.
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 cost more, but you will save a lot more in the long run. If you were to take the average of 32 cents per diaper and multiply that by 100, you could save yourself 32.00 for each cloth diaper you use instead of disposable. Caring for cloth diapers is just like taking care of your own clothes. By washing them regularly, they should last a long enough for several children to use them. Just use soft detergents that won’t irritate your babys skin.
You may want to try both types of diapers for one month each to see which one you and your baby like. In the long run, you will definitely see the cost savings using cloth diapers, but its probably a good idea to have some disposable diapers on hand as a backup.