Cloth diapers
Kerri Stalton

The life of a parent is fraught with important decisions. As parents who also aspire to be responsible citizens, we have to choose carefully. Cloth versus disposables is a much-debated battle with no clear victors. Supporters of disposable diapers cite the inherent convenience of disposables as the prime reason for their popularity. Cloth diapers have to be folded, stored, washed and dried. For a lot of busy parents, all this is too much hassle.
Are cloth diapers difficult?
As a parent who has used ONLY cloth diapers for my first baby, and disposable diapers only during travel for my second baby, I can tell you that cloth diapers are actually very simple. Disposables are already pre-cut and molded to fit babies of a certain weight, and come with adhesives that are easy to stick. Cloth diapers may not be that convenient. But, once you get the hang of clipping the cloth diaper properly, diapering becomes almost an automatic activity. So, you won't really notice the difference.
Advantages of cloth diapers:
Babies spend their whole day in diapers. If you use cloth, you need not worry about the substances and chemicals rubbing off on your baby's delicate skin. Cloth diapers are natural, irritant-free and chemical-free. If you wash them properly and dry them in the sun, cloth diapers are almost the best possible care you can give your baby. In comparison, a baby's tender skin may react strongly when disposable diapers are used continually. Diaper rash is more common among babies wrapped up in disposables.
Cloth diapers are gentle on the environment. An average baby may need up to 5,000 diapers until he is through potty training. If you're using disposables, that's a LOT of plastic.
Cloth diapers are easy on the pocket too. If you use good cotton cloth, it can even be passed on from child to child. Depending upon the cloth and accessories, you can over a thousand dollars per child if you use cloth diapers versus disposable diapers.
Methods of cloth diapering:
Flat diapers: These are large pieces of cloth that you fold to fit your baby. They are very inexpensive and can be folded differently as your baby grows. You will however need to fold the diapers and secure them with pins or diaper covers.
Pre-folded cloth diapers: As the name indicates, these diapers are rectangular and have extra layers of cloth sewn in the middle. They generally come in three sizes: newborn, regular and toddler sizes. These are slightly more expensive than flat diapers.
Fitted diapers: Sewn in such a way as to fit the baby, these come ready with Velcro or snaps to secure them. They are very convenient to use, but are expensive and may take longer to dry.
Diaper covers:
Cloth diapers need to be covered with waterproof material to prevent accidental leaks. Diaper covers provide a safety net against embarrassing leaks. Pull-on plastic pants, which are just big enough to cover the diaper area or wrap-style covers that are wrapped around the baby and covered with Velcro can be used to prevent leaks.
Care of cloth diapers:
Wash the diaper and its cover separately. A diaper pail serves to hold dirtied diapers until they are washed. Any solid waste in the diaper should be emptied into the toilet before the diaper is washed. It is always better to rinse the cloth as soon as it is dirtied. You will have less staining that way. Never keep water in the diaper pail, as it is a drowning hazard. Use a gentle detergent when washing. One cold wash, followed by a hot wash will kill all germs. Hang cloth diapers in the sun to ensure total cleanliness.