Monday, February 6, 2012

Reality Check: Disposable Diapers are Inconvenient

I hear this all the time: "Cloth diapers are an extra hassle." or "Disposables are too convenient."  Honestly though, it is all about how you look at it.  Let's face it, if you were really wanting a convenient life, then having a baby wouldn't be at the top of it.  They are full of inconveniences no matter how you diaper them.

If you are considering using cloth diapers?  Do you  have a friend or family member who gives you a hard time about using cloth diapers?  Here's some great information to know, when you are comparing cloth diapers to disposable ones.



Top 10 Reasons Why Disposable Diapers are Inconvenient:

-It sneaks up on you that you are using your last couple diapers in the pack late one evening.  Late night runs to the store to purchase disposable diapers when you've run out is inconvenient.

-Experiencing the common "up the back blow out" when you baby has been sitting, especially in a car seat is inconvenient (and messy too!).  Note: This does type of blow out rarely happens in a cloth diaper.

-Just took out the trash the day before but that lingering poopy diaper and wipes you put in the new liner is causing a stench? Having to take a partially full trash bag outside to your garbage bin to get rid of that smell is inconvenient.

-Having to throw away a poopy diaper outside in a separate plastic bag when you are visiting someone's house is inconvenient.

-Allergic reactions and heat related diaper rashes are common with disposable diapers.  Having to make an extra trip(s) to your pediatrician for a disposable diaper related rash is very inconvenient.

-Using disposable diapers will cost you about an extra $1,200 and more with subsequent children.  Having to work harder or hours to afford trashable diapers (and other disposable items like wipes) is inconvenient.

-Your baby just had a growth spurt and no longer fits in his/her size in disposable diapers but you are not even close to using up that huge case you recently purchased at CostCo. Having to give away or sell disposable diapers that your baby couldn't use because they grew out of that size is inconvenient compared to using a cloth diaper that fits a range from 8-35lbs.

-Do you have 2 small children both in diapers? Having to carry 2 different sized disposable diapers in your diaper bag is inconvenient compared to having 1 cloth diaper that fits both of your children (one-size) .

-Having to take a pet to the vet after he/she consumes a disposable diaper is inconvenient (and expensive).  (This came from a recent story where a dog actually died after doing this.)

-Cloth diapered toddlers tend to potty train earlier on average.  Having a child who potty trains later is inconvenient.


Need I say more?  :)   Does anyone else have an example of how a disposable diaper is inconvenient?

Our most convenient cloth diapers will prove to be more convenient to the disposable diapers out there.  Our top recommendations:

1. GroVia All-in-Ones
2. GroVia Hybrid Diapers 
3. Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper
4. bumGenius All-in-one Newborn Diaper
5. Tots Bots Tini Fit Diaper

Free shipping on all orders over $50 this month!






Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

*Photo used from http://www.earthycrunchymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Disposible-Diaper-Trash.bmp

8 comments:

*Katy* said...

LOVE this! I just did a similar post on my blog to try to convince my friends to switch. You can read it here: http://thehenings.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-choose-cloth-diapers.html

Anonymous said...

TotsBots was my favorite newborn diaper. I'd love to try the one size. I like that the insert agitates out in the washer on its own.

Dunks said...

I cloth diaper my little one and for the most part love them. I do have to disagree with you about rashes. I struggle more with diaper rash with my little one in cloth. When we are traveling I use disposables and her bottom always clears up. My oldest I used disposable and never had a rash problem. However, knI do love not having to spend 30 bucks a box every few weeks!

Anonymous said...

Dunks-I think it depends on the baby. Rashes in cloth are different than rashes in disposables. The disposable rashes are from the chemicals in the diaper. Cloth rashes are related to yeast, allergic reaction to food, ammonia build up, etc. I haven't found a baby yet who is allergic to cotton or fleece.

Anonymous said...

Thumbs down to your post! I did the whole cloth diaper for the first months and it was so much work and a waste of water. I felt like I was always hand washing, soaking, and doing laundry. So reduce the amount of trash or waste water all while wasting time and energy?!

I am very happy now that I've made the switch to real biodegradable green diapers

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous"-I'm sorry that cloth diapers didn't work out for you. I would never deny that they are a commitment, much like other parenting choices that haven't been most popular (breastfeeding, natural childbirth, attachment parenting, etc). It's a personal choice and you have to do what's best for your family. The point of my article was to highlight specific conditions of using disposable diapers that are "inconvenient" and overlooked when comparing them to cloth diapers. Cloth diapers have their own set of "inconveniences". However, I would argue that most families don't choose cloth for convenience, as much as they may love the new conveniences offered to us now (wet bags, diaper sprayers, all-in-one diapers,etc). Thank you for your honest post to bring a new perspective to the table.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it does seem like you use a lot of water and time and energy---- at first. BUT, the first month of being a mommy seems like more time and energy put into ANYTHING you've ever done. While I commend that you did certainly try something new- on top of bringing home a baby- I think that one month is not truly enough to judge. Like most things, the first few tries are difficult- like say breastfeeding. Most mommies try and it doesn't work exactly as they thought--- then they give it a few weeks and it gets better-- by the time your baby is 3 months old you hardly remember all of the work it was at the beginning. So, agreed- learning how to be an effective and efficient cloth diapering mom is difficult- just like being a mom to a newborn or breastfeeding.

Anonymous said...

When i first started cloth diapering my boy (he was about 4 months), it was a struggle for the first bit, i wasnt informed of alot of things, proper washing etcc how many i need etc. I didnt find it was a waste of energy or a waste of water! I wash a ton of clothes now with my 3 kids, adding an extra rinse is nothing. and i have enough diapers now that i only need to wash once or twice a week! I LOVEEEE diaper, so many good things!