ArsCompendium - Digital Scribes For The New Millenium

Users Online

6 Users Online

10 Cloth Diaper Myths

Read more articles on Newborns.

August 31, 2006

Posted by Kim

About This Editor: Kim is both a freelance writer and an imaging specialist at a major graduate school. She is a wife and mother to two children. She enjoys writing and working on her computer in her spare time.

1 Views

Submit this article to the following social bookmark news sites:

Changing diapers is an important part of any parent’s day to day life. Choosing whether to use cloth or disposable diapers is part of changing those diapers. Sometimes, that decision is made largely by myths that are circulating which scare parents, especially new parents, from using cloth diapers. Here are the top 10 myths regarding changing cloth diapers.

1. Cloth diapers are too hard to wash.

Cloth diapers are no more work to wash than a normal load of laundry is. There are several different ways to wash them and each person must experiment to find the way that works best for them. Some people will wash them more than once after a good soaking, while others will just wash them once. Bleach is not recommended, but rather a dye-free, fragrance-free detergent. Hanging cloth diapers in the sun will also help to remove any stains.

2. I can’t handle the mountains of laundry that cloth diapers will create.

For the average baby, this will not be the case. Of course, enough diapers must be bought to last a little while to avoid doing frequent laundry. Most babies will only create 1 to 2 extra loads of laundry per week.

3. Cloth diapers are unsanitary.

While this can be true, it does not have to be. Washing the diapers in hot water with a good quality detergent and drying them in the dryer will help ensure that all bacteria is removed. Hanging them in the sun will also get rid of any bacteria.

4. Diaper services will cost too much.

Diaper services can be costly, but just because you use cloth diapers does not mean that you have to utilize their services. In fact, a lot of mothers would rather wash the diapers themselves so that they know exactly what was used to wash them. Also, washing them yourself will also save you money in the long run as will using cloth diapers versus disposables.

5. The dirty diapers will make my whole house stink.

Using a diaper pail just as you would with disposable diapers will help alleviate this problem. Be sure to purchase one that has a locking lid. If you can not find a diaper pail, a cheap garbage can with a locking lid will serve the purpose as well. There are also fresheners on the market that are designed to go inside diaper pails to help absorb the odor. Cloth diapers do not make any more of a smell than disposable diapers.

6. Cloth diapers are more likely to leak.

While that is a possibility as with any diaper, it does not need to be true. Plastic covers are available to place over an absorbent cloth diaper to help prevent any leakage that may come through the cloth. Buying higher quality diapers instead of the cheaper alternative will also cut down on the leaks. As with anything else, you get what you pay for.

7. What if they don’t fit my baby and I’m stuck with diapers that I can’t use?

Just as with anything else, babies come in different shapes and sizes and will not all fit into the same diaper. Many stores that sell cloth diapers have very generous return policies. Be sure to check those policies before purchasing anything. You can also ask a salesperson which diaper will best fit your baby’s body style.

8. I can’t afford cloth diapers. They cost too much.

In comparison to what a parent would pay for disposable diapers, cloth diapers are a much cheaper alternative. A baby can easily go through $1000 in disposable diapers each year. When potty training takes 2-3 years, that cost adds up quickly. Most families can diaper a child in cloth diapers for that entire time for as little as $100. That is quite a big difference. Cloth diapers require a bigger initial investment but pay off in the long run.

9. My baby’s skin is too sensitive.

This is actually a very good argument for using cloth diapers, not against it. Disposables contain chemicals that can irritate a baby’s skin. Cloth diapers do not have these chemicals and the parents control what the diapers are washed with and can thus make changes if the baby has a reaction.

10. I am afraid of poking my baby with the pins.

Pins are no longer a worry for mothers or fathers. With today’s technology, there are now pinless cloth diapers on the market. These diapers utilize snaps or Velcro to fasten the diapers.

Cloth diapering is an option that all parents should take into consideration. There are many myths about their use floating around out there and each parent must weigh them while making this decision.