cloth diapers

Tips how to choose cloth diapers for your baby's health and safety.

CLOTH DIAPERS CATEGORY

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Diaper Etymology

The word diaper originally referred to the type of cloth rather than its use ; "diaper" was the term for a pattern of small repeated geometric shapes, and later came to describe a white cotton or linen fabric with this pattern. The first cloth diapers consisted of a special type of soft tissue sheet, cut into geometric shapes.

  

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Disposable Vs Cloth Diapers - Finding the Diaper Solution That's Right For You

Everything old is new again, especially when it comes to caring for babies. Although new parents a few decades ago may have balked at the idea of using cloth diapers, today more and more of us are looking into this more natural form of diapering.

Cloth diapers have been around for most of human history, but if you haven't seen cloth diapers these days you may be in for quite a surprise! Today's designs are sleek, leak-proof and come in new, cute designs.

If you haven't considered using cloth diapers, there are several reasons why you may want to make the switch. The first reason is purely economic. By the time your child is potty-trained, you will have spent at least $2,000 on disposable diapers. That is money that you are literally throwing away each and every day.

On the other hand, a good set of cloth diapers will cost you an average of $300. As your child grows, you can even sell your smaller diapers in exchange from larger ones. At the most, you can expect to spend $500 over the course of your child's diaper using time. That's a savings of $1500. With that amount of money, you could start a savings account for your children and have a nice addition to their college fund by the time they graduate high school.

Money savings aside, there are several other reasons why cloth diapers make good sense. Cloth diapers are environmentally friendly. When you throw out disposable diapers, you're not only wasting money, but you are filling out landfills with waste that won't biodegrade for many years to come. It's estimated that disposable diapers will take 500 years to completely degrade. That means that all the disposable diapers that have ever been used in the history of the product are still out there somewhere! It's staggering when you think about it.

By using cloth, you're becoming part of the solution instead of part of the problem. It can take as much as 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum and 20 pounds of chlorine to produce enough diapers for one baby for just 12 months! When you make the decision to use cloth, your actions have a massive beneficial impact on the environment.

Finally, by using cloth diapers you may also be protecting your baby's skin and health. Some disposable diapers contain dioxin, which is a harmful by-product caused by the bleaching of paper. Dioxin is a carcinogen and has been banned in other industrialized countries, but it has not been banned in the United States.

By using cloth, you're removing the risk of exposing your baby to this chemical, and the others that are used in disposables. The fact that your baby is wearing these chemicals all day long is reason enough to look into cloth as an option.

Cloth diapers are convenient and easy to use. Although you'll have to wash the cloth diapers, you'll actually be using less water than it takes to produce disposable diapers. Washing diapers is an easy process and very shortly you'll get used to the process.

And there are even new hybrid types available (such as gDiapers) which have an over layer in which you snap flushable refills. Before you make a definite decision in the disposable versus cloth diaper debate, take a bit of time to research new options that are on the market that may offer you the best of both worlds.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where you can find a review and price comparisons for gDiapers as well as Drugstore coupons.

Cloth Diapers and Child Care - Can They Get Along?

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.

Baby Bedding and Cloth Diapers - Why Choose Organic?

When it comes to purchasing baby bedding and cloth diapers, you definitely want to take a look at organics. Every parent wants the very best for their infant, and organic baby bedding and organic cloth diapers offers just that.

Baby bedding and cloth diapers are particularly important areas to think of using organic products. After all, infants spend a lot of time in their cribs and diapers. It's estimated that babies spend up to 60% of their time in bed, so you want nothing less than the healthiest products possible in this extremely important environment-and babies spend practically every minute in their cloth diapers. It's crucial that these items are as free of chemicals as possible for your baby's health.

Organic baby bedding and cloth diapers offer purity and healthiness. Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals-and in fields that haven't had chemicals used in them for a minimum of three years. This eliminates chemical toxins that are found in traditionally grown cotton.

Because babies spend so much time in their cribs and cloth diapers is just one reason you want to reduce your baby's exposure to as many potential toxins as possible. Another is that, as anyone who's spent any time with infants and toddlers knows, babies chew on everything from their baby bedding and baby clothes to their fingers and toes-they'll even chew on a cloth diaper if they can get to it! Toxins left in conventionally grown cotton baby items go right into your child's digestive system and from there, directly into their bloodstream when chewed on.

Many child health care practitioners believe that early exposure to chemical toxins found in traditional cotton cloth diapers and baby bedding causes children to develop allergies, asthma, and have an overall lower immunity to illnesses of all types. Whatever a child is surrounded by is not just chewed on-it's breathed in and absorbed through their skin too. Because babies are in the process of developing and growing, they experience more serious effects when exposed to toxins from environmental chemicals and poisons. And the greater the exposure, the greater the risk for infants.

Also, another wonderful advantage of organic cotton baby bedding and cloth diapers is that they are especially soft. The lack of chemicals leaves the cotton softer and more pliable. Too, organic baby bedding and organic cloth diapers are usually not dyed. This also helps make them softer than the traditional cotton baby bedding and cloth diapers we are used to.

If you want your baby bedding with some color or patterns, look for types that use vegetable dyes. You'll be assured you're getting the baby bedding with the least chemical toxins available. It will still be incredibly soft.

When it comes to baby bedding and cloth diapers, organic is definitely the best choice for your baby. Thanks to society's increased awareness and interest in environmental issues of all types, organic baby bedding and organic cloth diapers are of the highest quality of any time in history. Purchasing organic baby bedding and organic cloth diapers ensures you're getting the safest, purest bedding and diapers possible-and fewer chemicals and toxins means a healthier baby.

Alma Newton is mother of four and grandmother of three, and takes great pleasure in offering you the very best of the organic cotton bedding, clothing and cloth diapering that she can find. Please visit her website at Organic Cotton Bedding & Diapers and find what you need for your special little person.

Diapering 101 - How To Fold And Use Cloth Diapers

Let's skip right past the great diaper debate and assume that you've read what there is to read, done your soul-searching, and made your decision - and for your baby, it's nothing but natural against that tender skin. Whether your decision is ecological, economical, or based on something else entirely, you've decided on cloth diapers for baby. Now it's time for Diapering 101 - how do you turn a rectangle of cloth into a comfy cover for the little cherub?

Wash the diapers first

First things first. Never diaper your baby in a brand new cloth diaper straight from the plastic wrapping. Between the natural cotton and the manufacturing process, new diapers have a 'waxy' coating that cuts down on their absorbency and can irritate baby's skin. Toss all your new diapers into the washer and run them through five or six cycles with detergent, bleach and the hottest water you can muster. If you've got a clothesline and a sunny day, that's the best way to dry them.

Folding Diapers

You thought you had made your last choice when you picked cloth, did you? Think again. There are even more choices in 100% natural cloth diapers than there are in the disposable diapers aisle at the supermarket. Pre-folded, padded, flat-folded, nappy-style, all-in-ones, all-in-twos - it's enough to make your head spin just trying to absorb it all. Add to that the choices in diaper covers - plastic pants? Nappy covers? Wool covers? Velcro, pin or one of the novelty diaper fasteners? For the purposes of this Diapering Baby class, we'll assume that you're using plain old flat-folds - a simple rectangle of absorbent cotton that may have a quilted layer running down the middle for extra absorbency. Here are several different methods of folding diapers, courtesy of moms, grandmas and the DyDee Company.

The Angel-Wing Fold

1. Lay the diaper lengthwise on the changing table. Fold the sides of the diaper in to the middle to form an absorbent pad.

2. Fold a few inches down at the front.

3. Unfold the sides at the back of the diaper, fanning them out.

4. Place the baby on the diaper, and pull the front up between his or her legs.

5. Holding the front against his belly, bring both sides of the back around to the front, and pin in place, pushing the pin through a few layers of diaper. You don't have to go all the way through the diaper so that the pin is against baby's skin.

Bikini Twist High-Cut Fold

1. Lay the diaper flat on the table.

2. Turn ONE END of the diaper completely over, twisting the diaper at the midpoint to form an absorbent pad.

3. Put the baby on the diaper (or the diaper under the baby, whichever is easier).

4. Pull the front of the diaper up between baby's legs.

5. Pull back corners of the diaper around the baby, over the front corners and pin securely.

Double-Diaper For Heavy Wetters

1. Use one regular diaper and one infant size diaper. Lay regular diaper on table. Place infant size diaper in center.

2. Fold sides of infant diaper in, then fold sides of regular diaper in to cover the infant diaper.

3. Fold a few inches of the diaper front up, then fan the back of the diaper out to form angel wings.

4. Plop the baby in the middle of the diaper, and proceed as for the angel wing fold.

Whichever fold you choose to use, cover the whole thing with a diaper cover, smooch the little tyke and send him back off to play with a warm, dry bottom.

About The Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a baby and parenting expert specializing new mothers and single parent issues. Visit http://www.babyhelp411.com/ for more information on how to raising healthy, happy children.

 

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