Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapers have been used by Mom’s for many years and proved beneficial to a baby’s sensitive skin.

I used cloth diapers for my babies. Yes, they were a lot of work, but I think worth it! I was in control of the washing powder used, the number of times to rinse and even hanging them out on the clothesline to get sunshine to brighten them up.

What is a clothesline, you ask?

How things have changed since the time when I was using diapers. In England, they were called nappies. They were rectangular shaped and used only one pin in the front center.

However, I am in North America and the cloth diaper was rectangular shaped and used two pins, one on each side. Things are more modern now. The use of the ever popular Velcro fasteners, makes pinning and folding unnecessary.

Baby Wipes

I would suggest using a cloth wipe, which you add warm water to. You could even store it damp in a container to take about with you. I would add Silver Guard to it for bacterial control. You can throw it in the wash and use it over and over again. This is also, far more economical.

Chemicals used Specifically in Baby Wipes

Fragrance – can be made up of 1000’s of different chemicals which may be toxic.

Pthalates – This is a substance added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. Pthalates are being phased out of many products in the United States, Canada, and European Union over health concerns.

Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol – Also found in windshield wiper fluid! The EPA considers them so toxic they say that skin contact or inhalation can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate – SLS is found in (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste. It is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent. It can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, rashes and hair loss. It is not known as a carcinogen.

DMDM & Urea – These two chemicals are preservatives that release formaldehyde. This is used in the making of synthetic resins to be used in adhesives for plywood, particle board, molded plastic. Are any of these manufactured goods similar to a baby wipe?

Polyethylene Glycol – (PEG) –Petroleum ingredient that is carcinogenic and dehydrates your skin.

Parabens –Parabens are used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Known for their anti-bacterial and antii-fungal properties. The many uses are shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, spray tenning solution, makeup and toothpaste. They are strong hormone disruptors and have been directly linked to breast cancer and heart problems.They are becoming increasingly controversial, however, because they have been found in extremely low concentrations in breast cancer tumors.

Environmental Concerns

Both disposable diapers and baby wipes have a negative impact on our environment. It takes years for the plastic used in the diapers to dissolve in the landfill. Also, the chemicals are being put into the soil and the water table.

On the other hand, washing and drying cloth diapers uses our available resources. I guess, that is something you have to work out on your conscience.

The cost of either method must be taken into consideration too.

Pampers or Huggies

There are ‘flushable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ alternatives for you to choose from. Check out your local health food store.

Chemicals Used in Disposable Diapers

Did you ever think about the chemicals used in Disposable Diapers? Well, there are lots of them!

Sodium Polyacrylate - Sodium polycarbonate is a super absorbent chemical compound that is used in the fillers of many disposable diapers. It is composed of cellulose processed from trees that is mixed with crystals of polyacrylate. This chemical absorbs fluids. It is often visible as small gel like crystals on the baby’s skin. This chemical was banned from use in women’s tampons in 1985.

Our baby’s are still being subjected to it. Why?

Chlorine – Chlorine is used to combat bacteria. This is a severe skin irritant causing painful skin rashes.

Dioxins – A by-product of the paper bleaching process. Most disposable diapers are bleached white using chlorine.. You want white diapers, don’t you? Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical and well known as a carcinogen.. . Dioxins exposure may cause immune system damage, nervous system, endocrine system and reproductive functions. The World Health Organization recognizes the dangers of dioxin exposure.

Tributyltin – Tributyltin, also known as TBT compounds and considered to be highly toxic chemical. It contaminates marine life. In humans, it has been linked to obesity as it triggers genes that cause the growth of fat cells.

Other ChemicalsThere are perfumes and fragrances made with chemicals used to mask odors. Even the sticky tabs contain chemicals. What about the colours and dyes used for the fancy patterns that people seem to think are cute?

(Some of this information is borrowed from the research done by Laurie Diwakar,B.A., who develops and tests products that work for you and for the environment)

Reusable Cloth Diapers vs. Single use Disposable Diapers

Back in the 1950’s, no one ever used anything but cloth diapers. In the 1960’s Pampers were introduced. Nowadays, I would say 90% of the babies are in single use diapers. The baby doesn’t get changed as often as the disposable diapers are now more absorbent, hence the occurrence of diaper rash has increased. There are many health and developmental, environmental and economic advantages and disadvantages for the parents of today to consider.

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