Cloth or Disposable Diapers?
Is that even a debatable question in today’s world? Apparently, it is. Many people, in light of environmental concerns, are opting to return to cloth diapers. Not only are they supposedly better for a baby’s bottom, but they also don’t contribute to the growing problem of landfills. Yet, many moms and dads can’t bear the thought of going without good old disposable diapers.
Cost Comparison
First, let’s compare costs! Cloth diapers are cheaper in the long run, or are they? Ignoring all the available consensus on how many diapers parents go through (because we all know it’s often exaggerated), the average regular-sized pack of powder-scented diapers costs around $7.50. A typical pack contains about 35-40 diapers, although that number decreases as your child grows. This shrinking supply serves as another incentive for potty training. Essentially, you could be spending anywhere from $30 to $40 a week on something you will likely just roll up (hopefully) and throw in the trash.
On the other hand, cloth diapers can be washed multiple times, bleached, and dried. You can get around three dozen high-quality ones for the price of a week’s worth of disposables. However, you also need to factor in the costs of washing them, including laundry detergent. If you’re new to parenting or have an infant, you’ve probably been convinced to buy Dreft, which is pricey. Some parents claim the scent is euphoric and highly addictive. Additionally, there’s all the kid-safe, HE, and perfume-free softeners you’ll need to buy, plus the cost of water and electricity to constantly run a washer and dryer. You still need to buy baby wipes unless you’re using washcloths (which many find unappealing), and you’ll likely have to invest a bit more in Desitin to prevent diaper rash. No mathematician here, but when you tally it all up, you might end up spending about the same amount in the end.
Time is Money
Time is money, too. The time spent sorting, storing, washing, folding, and tending to cloth diapers is significantly more intrusive than the three seconds it takes to change a disposable diaper. You might also wonder about the cleanliness of your washing machine after washing heaps of cloth diapers. This thought could compel any type A clean freak to consider purchasing an additional washing machine solely for soiled diapers—one that can be discarded at the first hint of potty training. (How long does a washing machine take to disintegrate, anyway?) Do you really want to wash your bras in there afterward? Plus, using the sanitary cycle on your high-efficiency washing machine consumes even more energy.
In the cloth vs. disposable debate, there may not be a clear winner. The best solution might be to train children like we do puppies—using the outdoors for their bathroom or allowing them to roam the house naked, with potty patches scattered throughout each room.
What About the Environment?
Lest we forget about the environment! This is often cited as a significant reason to choose cloth diapers. Landfills are a pressing issue, and it’s shocking how long diapers take to decompose. It’s remarkable that no “green-conscious” disposable diaper has been invented yet (besides cloth ones). Diaper recycling isn’t even an option; however, it seems that disposables do provide some benefit to landfills (purely editorial, of course). They may soak up unpleasant odors and absorb liquids, and in the future, when landfills are covered and subdivisions built on top of them, the natural ingredients in the diapers might serve as compost. Those residents could enjoy flourishing gardens and baby powder-scented breezes all year round! Still, when considering the number of intact water bottles discarded daily, as well as the energy costs and emissions involved in washing, drying, and bleaching cloth diapers (not to mention their packaging), the choice becomes a real toss-up.
The Obvious Consideration
Then, of course, there’s the obvious: gross, germy, smelly things are found in diapers. While some children can’t tolerate disposable diapers for health reasons and do better with cloth, keep in mind that few daycares or nurseries will accommodate the cloth diaper routine for various reasons. Additionally, as your child grows from a little bundle of joy who only produces small piles of ‘pleasant’ smelling yellow dung, they will eventually become “poo monsters,” soiling both cloth and disposable diapers, leading to leaks. There will come a time when you look at your baby or toddler and wonder how something so large came from someone so small, and ponder how many times a day they actually pee. With disposable diapers, it’s sometimes impossible to tell if they’ve peed at all, leading to the question of why seashores are eroding when such absorbent materials as disposable diapers are so readily available. Perhaps replacing sand with disposable diapers could create a cozy beach?
Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: parents who choose cloth diapers aren’t crazy or more invested in their children; they simply come from a different mindset that may be more eco-conscious or health-focused. Others may be compelled to use cloth due to health concerns or allergies, while some are just old-fashioned. They likely have strong stomachs and more time on their hands than the rest of us. Those who choose disposables value ease of use and aren’t overly concerned about where the diapers end up, following societal norms that allow them to feel guilt-free about their choice.
Cloth or disposable diapers? It’s just one of those choices parents must make for themselves, and it’s a decision that should be respected, regardless of what others choose.
