One of the first decisions my wife and I had to make about our new son was whether to use cloth reusable diapers or the traditional disposable diapers. We heard many persuasive testimonies and arguments supporting each side. We wanted to do what was in the best interest for our son, our family, and our environment; we knew we had a tough decision on our hands. Ultimately we opted for reusable diapers, Kushies Ultra Diapers to be exact, and we couldn’t be happier. These are some of the myths regarding reusable diapers that we soon found to be untrue.

1. Cloth diapers don’t save you money-We had heard on several occasions that cloth diapers don’t save you money in the long run. Our experience showed this to be completely untrue. Our initial purchase of 10 Kushies Ultra Newborn size and 10 Kushies Ultra Infant size has gotten him through his first year. This initial investment cost us less than $200. When I compare this to my friends who are rushing out and spending at least $30 a week, I know that we have made a smart financial decision. And the best part is our reusable diapers still have lots of use left in them for our second baby, so we will just keep on saving in years to come.
2. Cloth diapers are difficult to use- One of our biggest concerns were all the horror stories we heard about the dangerous pins and complicated folding of cloth diapers. Well let me tell you this is a thing of the past. All the quality cloth diapers now come with an adjustable Velcro waist that is as easy to use as any disposable diaper. Today’s cloth diaper just as simple to use as disposable diapers.
3. Cloth diapers are not better for the environment-My wife and I had read on a couple websites that reusable diapers were not as good for the environment as we first believed. We saw claims that the amount of water and hydro needed to clean cloth diapers offset the reduction in landfill space. At our home we simply throw in the diapers with a load of laundry that we are already doing. Since our son came along we are doing a load of laundry every other day to keep up, and every time we do we just add his 7 or 8 diapers to the mix. We have only had to do “extra” loads of laundry for his diapers on a couple of occasions. When I see the huge garbage bags that my friend haul out to the curb each week, and compare it with our half bag of garbage, I know we have made the right decision for our environment
4. Cloth diapers are hard on baby’s skin-Our son has been wearing Kushies Ultra diapers for one year now, and at no time has he had any type of diaper rash. I know this sounds hard to believe but cloth diapers do not have the chemicals and dyes that are present in disposable diapers. These chemicals are responsible for a high number of rashes and reactions that babies have. As well, the diapers we use 5 layers of 100% cotton flannel, keeping our son as dry as any disposable diaper would.
5. Cloth diapers leak-This was a huge concern for us. As much as we love the environment and saving money my wife and I were not interested in cloth diapers if it meant an outfit change every couple of hours. So we were so pleased to discover we had no leaking problems with our Kushies diapers. The diapers come in three sizes, so they grow with your baby. Each size has an adjustable Velcro closure so they can fit all baby shapes and sizes. The waterproof outer barrier combined with the soft leg elastics has all added up to one dry and happy baby in our house.

Ian Stoddart writes for Baby Travel Planet. They are located in Canada and sell a range of baby gear to customers in both Canada and the United States.

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Author: Ian Stoddart
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Huggies diapers have been a staple for millions of new parents for years. During that time, Huggies Corp. have released several different types of diapers including their Huggies Supreme, UltraTrim, Overnites and Snug and Dry brands. Each diaper has its respective pros and cons. Having tried the UltraTrim and Supreme diapers with my infant, I can offer some comments that will help you decide which brand of diapers is right for your baby.

Are Huggies Diapers Easy To Use?

Most Huggies come with small (approximately 1″ x 1″) velcro tabs attached. The tabs can be found on the back and top parts of the diapers. These tabs make the job of putting the diaper on your child very easy. If you need to make the diaper fit your baby more snugly, you can do so quickly by simply adjusting the velcro tabs.

Are Huggies Comfortable For Your Baby?

The company claims its diapers are “baby-shaped,” implying that the diapers are designed to perfectly fit the contours of your baby’s body. Frankly, this is true of most respected brands of diapers. Some Huggies are well-designed to provide comfort for your child. Others are not. For example, the front layer on the Supreme type diapers is thicker than many brands which offers extra comfort. However, the back layer is thin. In my opinion, Huggies should have made the back layer thicker. It would prove handy for babies that are trying to walk. The extra layer would provide cushion when your baby falls on its bottom.

The UltraTrim brand is also a bit lacking in comfort. As its name implies, the diaper is very thin. That may irritate your child’s skin if they’re doing a lot of crawling. However, some people claim that thinner diapers actually allow your baby to walk more easily. It may be best to make your decision about using UltraTrim diapers based upon whether your baby is walking or crawling.

How Well Do Huggies Absorb Moisture?

Of course, a key consideration is whether a diaper absorbs moisture effectively and stays dry. In my experience, the Supreme diapers did not absorb well. Not only did I detect some wetness, but I also noticed strange white flakes and grains that came from the diaper on my child’s skin. On the other hand, the UltraTrim diapers had a great sponge factor. I never noticed any residual wetness or leakages from the diaper (nor any flakes!). In my experience, the UltraTrims have much better absorption than the Supreme diapers.

My Last Thoughts On Huggies Diapers

Huggies diapers aren’t cheap. In fact, they’re one of the higher-priced diaper brands on the market. As babies go through diapers quickly, using Huggies could prove very costly. A few of my friends have used Huggies and thought that they were good diapers but not worth the hefty price tag. That said, if you can find a coupon for a discount or even a way to get free Huggies diapers, definitely take advantage of it. You may find that the brand is a perfect fit for your child.

For more information on diapers please visit our website Free-BabyDiaper.com

Author: Jacob Sakol
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The debate about whether to use cloth diapers over disposable diapers has raged for years. Those who swear by disposables claim their convenience trumps any drawbacks. Those who use cloth diapers have equally-strong opinions about their diaper choice.

My spouse and I, after having used both cloth diapers and disposables, decided to solely use the latter. But, we realized that cloth diapers offer many benefits that disposables lack. In our research, experience and through conversations with others, we learned some of the main reasons why some new parents choose to use cloth.

Reason #1: Cloth Diapers Cost Less

While estimates vary widely, many experts agree that from the moment of birth through the time when a child is becoming potty-trained, new parents can expect to spend over $2,000 on disposable diapers. With the added cost of baby formula, food and other necessities, $2,000 is a significant expense. On the other hand, an entire set of cloth diapers will likely cost under $100. Also the cloth type can be reused for any brothers and sisters who may be born later.

Reason #2: Cloth Diapers Are Better For Your Baby’s Health

Some parents claim that cloth diapers help prevent your child from developing skin rashes because the cloth lacks the chemicals that are often found in name-brand disposables. Though information is limited, some studies suggest a link between the chemicals in disposables and sterility and cancer.

Reason #3: Cloth Diapers Are Environmentally-Conscious

Disposable diapers go from our babies’ bottoms to our nation’s landfills. It’s estimated that American children use 18 billion disposables each year, adding 80 tons of plastic and 1.3 million tons of pulp wood to our landfills. Instead, cloth diapers go from our babies’ bottoms to our washing machines before landing back under our babies’ bottoms. In other words, they have little negative environmental impact.

Reason #4: Cloth Diapers Accelerate Potty-Training

Studies have shown that when children use cloth diapers, they often make the transition from diapers to potty-training more easily. There are a couple of reasons why this may be so. First, cloth diapers don’t have the ability to soak up wetness and keep your child dry like disposables. So, when your child soils the cloth type, they are more likely to feel the sensation and want to learn how to avoid it.

Second, some research has shown that many children grow attached to their cloth diapers. They began to feel a level of responsibility for them, often trying to remove them when they feel the need to eliminate. This tendency continues to grow as the child ages and eventually encourages the transition to potty-training. Though some people doubt the validity of these reasons, additional research seem to support the findings of earlier studies.

Should You Use Cloth Diapers For Your Child?

Ultimately, your decision to use cloth will depend on how important some of the factors above are for you and your family. Some new parents are extremely concerned with their contributions to the environment. Others place a higher value on convenience. Still others focus on the difference in cost between cloth and the disposable alternative. I suggest trying both. That way, you’ll know from experience which is the better choice for your child.

For information on diapers please visit our website Free-BabyDiaper.com

Author: Jacob Sakol
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New parents have a choice to make when their infant is first born: should they use disposable diapers or reusable diapers? Each type of diaper has its own respective merits and drawbacks. Curiously, recent information has suggested that widely-held beliefs about the differences between disposable and reusable diapers may be inaccurate or misleading.

My spouse and I have used both disposable and cloth diapers with our children. Below, you’ll learn some of the reasons why we decided to stop using cloth and began to rely solely on disposable diapers.

Disposable Diapers Offer Better Skin Care

As a loving parent, you obviously want to shield your child from diapers that lead to skin rashes and other health concerns. Your baby can easily develop a rash if their skin is wet for prolonged period of time. The top brands of disposable diapers (Huggies, Pampers, Luvs) are designed to keep your baby’s skin dry. While some disposable brands are better than others at accomplishing this, many are more effective than the cloth type in keeping your baby dry.

Disposable Diapers Are More Convenient

As their name implies, disposable diapers can be thrown away after changing your baby. In fact, many are designed to wrap up conveniently for easy disposal. Reusable diapers, on the other hand, can often be unwieldy. If you’re changing your baby’s diapers while away from home, you may be forced to put a sopping wet or soiled diaper into your bag. Plus, nobody enjoys cleaning reusable diapers after your baby has had a bowel movement. This is one of the primary reasons that my spouse and I chose to use only disposable.

Disposable Diapers Save Time

Of course, disposable diapers can save you a lot of time. Rather than having to launder the diapers at home after your baby has soiled them, disposables can simply be discarded. If your baby requires frequent changing (many babies pee often when they’re about 3 to 5-months in age), you may find yourself spending a couple hours each day washing your child’s cloth diapers. Instead, disposables can save you that time by allowing you to throw them away.

Main Drawback Of Using Disposable Diapers

This is the main sticking point for disposable diapers. They cost more money. As opposed to simply washing and reusing a set of cloth diapers, disposables require a constant expense to maintain your child’s diaper supply. If your child soils their diaper often, the expense for name-brand disposables can be hefty. Though every child is different, you can safely estimate the monthly cost of disposable diapers will be about $75 while reusables will cost approximately $45. Keep in mind these are only estimates, though.

As I mentioned before, my spouse and I decided to use disposable diapers for our children after experimenting with reusables. First, we didn’t enjoy cleaning the diapers (who does?). Second, we liked the convenience that disposables offered, given our schedules.

Finally, we found that after adjusting our monthly budget, we could afford to spend the extra money for disposables, given the time and convenience they offered. In the end, your choice will likely be based on those three factors, too.

For information on diapers please visit our website Free-BabyDiaper.com

Author: Jacob Sakol
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Many people choose to use cloth diapers because of environmental reasons or because they feel it’s more comfortable for the child. Some people use cloth to be more natural or to keep chemicals away from their baby’s skin. And still others make this choice of the cost factor. With our first child I chose cloth diapers because I wanted to avoid anything toxic touching her skin and I wanted to save the planet at the same time! I started off with cloth with our second child, then switched to Seventh Generation disposables after a short time. What can I say? I was a less ‘perfect’ mommy the second time around! (I’m just kidding – diapers will never, ever determine how wonderful of a mommy you are!)

You can save a lot of money by using cloth diapers instead of disposables, but you can also spend a lot more if you’re not careful. If you’re looking for more environmentally friendly, less toxic ways to diaper without breaking the bank, here are some ways you can do it.

Go traditional. Use prefolds and diaper covers. Prefolds are the least expensive type of cloth diapers available and you can get good, quality diaper covers without spending a lot, either. Prefolds generally run between one and three dollars each and covers usually cost anywhere from seven to fifteen dollars each. This is a great way to save money when diapering! Of course you could spend even less money if you have some sewing skills -sew your own prefolds and save a few more dollars.

Buy one-size diapers. Don’t want to use prefolds? If you would prefer a diaper system that includes fitted, pocket or all-in-ones, then using one-size diapers can save you a lot of money. One-size diapers are generally designed to fit from around 8 to 12 pounds up to around 25 to 35 pounds and are meant to be used from soon after birth to right up to potty training. Basically this means you buy fewer diapers since you don’t need to keep buying the next size up.

I tried both the prefolded and the all-in-ones and I LOVED the all-in-ones! Easy, easy, easy.

Use a clothesline. A clothesline is a great thing to have around anyway if you’re going to be using cloth diapers since sunning diapers can help take out stains. But it’s also a great thing to have around to help save some money on your electric bill every month and help out the environment. Instead of tossing your diaper load into the dryer everytime, hang it on the clothesline every other wash and save yourself some money.

Buy used. There are lots of places you can buy used cloth diapers over the internet and this is a great way to save some money, especially if you want to use modern diapers like pockets or all-in-ones. Many people will buy a few diapers to try a new brand or a new style and find they don’t work for them and then sell them, so you might even be able to get some barely used diapers this way. Try to use a site that has user ratings so you can have an idea of how reliable and honest the person you are purchasing from is. Look for diapers that are in good or excellent condition so you can get lots of use out of them. Make sure to give them a thorough cleaning before using them on your little one.

This is how we stocked up on plenty of all-in-one cloth diapers. E-Bay to the rescue! We saved a ton by doing our homework and found some great prices.

Sell your used diapers. Consider selling your diapers after your baby has outgrown them or if a particular style isn’t working for you. You won’t be able to recoup all the money you spent buying them new, but you can get a good percentage back if your diapers are in barely used or excellent condition.

Read reviews. Browse through sites that house cloth diaper reviews before you purchase. This is a good way to get an idea of whether or not a certain style diaper might work for you (thus, saving you money because you’ll be less likely to buy things you don’t end up using). It also is a great way to find out which diapers are built to last. Try to find reviews from people who have been using a diaper for awhile – this will help you to know which diapers will stand up to the tons of washing you will give them. This leads to the last tip:

Keep your used diapers for future children. This is one way that families can really get a lot of bang for their buck when using cloth diapers. If you spend only a couple hundred dollars building up a cloth diaper stash for your first baby and can use most of those diapers for your second or even your third baby – that is a huge amount of savings over buying disposables for each child. Buying quality diapers that are made to last and making sure you care for your diapers the way the manufacturer recommends are two ways to keep your diaper stash usable for baby after baby.

Confused by the overwhelming, often contradictory health information out there these days? Concerned that your family may not be as healthy as they could be? For the most clarifying, unique, scientific, entertaining, frank and practical natural health tips and strategies online, visit http://www.DrMomOnline.com

Author: Colleen Trombley
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Choosing a child care program can be difficult for parents. Many parents feel guilt over leaving their child in the care of others, and worry about the quality of care their child will receive. Added to this dilemma, parents may worry that their chosen child care program will not accept cloth diapers, or will use them reluctantly.

Being faced with a parent who wants to use cloth diapers can be intimidating for child care providers. They may worry that the diapers will be hard to use or will leak constantly. They may not know what to do with soiled cloth diapers, and be reluctant to approach parents with their concerns.

Children’s Health is the Main Concern

Parents choose to use cloth diapers for various reasons. Saving money and environmental concerns are popular arguments in the cloth vs disposables debate, but the foremost concern of most cloth diapering parents is their child’s health.

Ironically it is the health of children that causes many child care programs to be reluctant to use cloth diapers. Due to the mass marketing campaigns of disposable diaper companies and popular misconceptions, many people feel that cloth diapers are hard to use and unsanitary. However, there is evidence to the contrary. According to a study led by Family and Health Systems Nursing, School of Nursing, Peabody College: “Analysis of the results of comparisons between cloth and paper diapers showed no significant difference in the frequency or the intensity of fecal contamination in child day care centers.” Assuming the child care program’s diaper-changing procedures are followed, cloth diapering systems can easily be used along with disposable diapers without compromising a sanitary environment.

Diaper Changing Procedure is Most Important

According to the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, a diaper must be “able to contain urine and stool and minimize fecal contamination of the children, caregivers, environmental surfaces, and objects in the child care setting.” Both disposable and cloth diapers meet this standard, although of all the modern cloth diaper systems, the All in One and Pocket styles may be the best choices to fulfill this requirement. In any case, the actual diapering procedure is more vital for the promotion of sanitary conditions than the actual diaper used.

Regulated (licensed or certified) child care programs are required to have diaper changing procedures that fulfill state or county regulations. These regulations are set up to minimize illness, especially those of the small intestine, by promoting healthy and sanitary conditions. Because the vast majority of small intestine illnesses in the child care setting are spread by fecal contamination, proper sanitation procedures are essential to stop the spread of diseases like Hepatitis A, Rotavirus, Giardia, E. Coli, and Shingella. I’m sure we can all agree that we don’t want these diseases spread to our children!

Although the regulations covering diaper changes may differ from state to state, a good diaper changing policy will include:

• Handwashing of the caregiver both before and after the diaper change
• A dedicated space used only for diaper changes with a hard, washable surface and close to a sink that is not used for food preparation
• Hygienic disposal of paper diapers or storage of cloth diapers in an inaccessible covered container
• Washing and disinfecting the changing surface after every use
• Washing the child’s hands after the diaper change
• In addition, children should always wear clothing over diapers

Some programs also use a disposable barrier like a waterproof pad under the child’s bare bottom and require that their staff wear disposable gloves during the diaper changes for added protection against fecal contamination. This is not necessary as long as hands are properly washed and surfaces thoroughly washed and disinfected.

Don’t assume that every child care has, or follows, sanitary diaper changing procedures, especially if your child care provider is unregulated. I know of unregulated providers who change diapers on the bed, couch, or floor surrounded by the other children. One that I know of even asks toddlers to throw other children’s soiled diapers into the garbage can! Be sure to ask your child care provider what her diaper changing procedures are.

Cloth Diapers and Child Care CAN Get Along Together

Parents who want their child care program to use cloth should familiarize themselves with their state’s rules and regulations concerning diapering in child care settings. Contact your local Resource and Referral agency or Department of Health and Family for a copy of your state’s child care regulations. Be sure to choose an easy to use system of cloth diapers, and teach your child’s provider how to use them. Also remember to show appreciation for the child care provider’s willingness to step out of her comfort zone. A simple “Thank you” can go a long way.

Child care providers who are faced with a parent requesting the use of cloth diapers should familiarize themselves with the cloth diaper system presented by the parent. Be sure to ask any questions you have, and share any concerns or difficulties you may experience. Keep an open mind, you may enjoy the bright colors and soft feel of cloth diapers in comparison to the institutional

As stated earlier, the type of diaper used is less important than proper diaper changing procedure. Both cloth and disposable diapers can spread disease to children and child care workers if handled improperly; both cloth and disposable diapers can be convenient and hygienic when handled properly. It’s easy to see that cloth diapers and child care do go together!

Amy Nogar is the mother of six who’s had her cloth diapered children in child care, and has cared for cloth diapered children in her own child care program. By day she’s the child care provider behind Amy & Kids Co. Family Child Care and by night she create boutique cloth diapers for Zany Zebra Designs In her free time she blogs snapshots of a happy crazy life as mother, child care provider and diaper seamstress. It is her hope that you found this article helpful.

Author: Amy Nogar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Diapers can be one of the most expensive items in your baby’s life. Consider this: the average baby uses almost 10,000 diapers from infancy to age three. With the average diaper costing roughly $0.35 each, that means that during your baby’s infancy diapers alone will cost you $3,500.00. And, by the way, this calculation doesn’t include sales tax or gasoline-currently around $3.50 per gallon, to go get the diapers.

Although cloth diapers do have an initial expense, I believe I can show you how cloth diapers are definitely the most economical diaper to use. If you have a large enough supply of cloth diapers, you will only need to wash a load of cloth diapers two or three times per week. Considering the average cost of laundry detergent, gas and or electric to run your washer and dryer, and the price of water, it costs approximately $1.25 to wash each load of cloth diapers. Doing that math, that equals about $3.75 per week to launder the diapers. And, if you want to save more money, you can hang the cloth diapers on a clothesline to dry!

Before you run out the door to the nearest discount store, please finish reading this article. Like anything else, when it comes to cloth diapers you get what you pay for! Cloth diapers are no different than disposable diapers when it comes to allergies. Some babies can’t wear Huggies or Pampers. The same is true with cloth diapers. You will need to test a few kinds on your little one’s bottom before you stock your shelves. Also, if you just grab the cheapest ones you can find, you will most likely deal with leaks and messes that could be avoided by making a more expensive, but wiser decision.

Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s talk dollars and cents. You must be asking yourself-”so, how much do I need to get completely set up with cloth diapers?” Well, there are two ways to tackle the beast. One is to buy pre-folded diapers and diaper covers and the other is to buy “All In One” diapers. The All In One diapers are more convenient but they are more expensive than buying the diapers and the covers separately. Here’s a sample of what the average cloth diaper system might cost:

3 dozen newborn diapers-costing an average of $18.50 each dozen=$55.50

6 Small Diaper Covers-costing an average of $9.25 each dozen=$55.50

3 dozen Regular Diapers-costing an average of $27.50 each dozen=$82.50

6 Medium Diaper Covers-costing an average of $9.25 each dozen=$55.50

Putting it all together for you, the total cost of buying a complete cloth diaper system and maintaining it for three years, including washing and drying, will cost about $900.00. That’s a savings of about $2,600.00. So, you make the decision. Think of what you could do for your child by investing the $2,600.00 you would spend on diapers into a college fund.

If you decide to use cloth diapers you must be very careful when you clean them. Review my article Cloth Diaper Laundry Tips to make sure you don’t break out your little one’s bottom!

Author: Roberta Sullivan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News