Are Cloth Diapers Better for the Environment

by Anna
(CA)

Are cloth diapers better for the environment? I believe that they are and that's why I use them. Plus, I think they are more comfortable than disposables and in the long run they save a lot of money! And they're cute!


I used disposable diapers for my first baby and they worked fine for us. I liked that they were so easy, just use and toss. Then I started using cloth diapers when my son was potty training at 20 months. My son now just wears a cloth diaper overnight just in case of the rare accident, but he only wets it about once a month.

I am now pregnant with baby number 2 and determined to use cloth diapers only. I added up how much money we spent on diapers for my son, and worked out that over a twenty month timespan we would have spent $1000! Considering he potty trained very early, this seems like a phenomenal amount of money. Are cloth diapers better for the environment? You bet that they are better for my home environment when you look at the savings! Sure, I used premium disposables, but I always bought them using discount coupons or when I found them on sale. I think I would probably still use disposables when we are out, because they are so easy.

Now I have to wonder about my son's diaper rash. We applied Desitin ointment after every single diaper change until he was six months old. If we forgot the Desitin, a rash would appear. I'm hopeful the next baby will not suffer with diaper rash if I use cloth exclusively.

When my son was in disposable diapers, we always struggled to fit our trash in our 31 gallon bin. Now that he is not using disposable diapers, we always have plenty of space in the trash can by the end of the week and when I hear new moms ask, "Are cloth diapers better for the environment?" the image of all that garbage in the landfill is what pops in my mind.

And finally, I love the look of cloth diapers! I can't wait to try a Nifty Nappy free cloth diaper sample! I love all the prints, but especially the fun fish print!