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5 reasons to use cloth diapers
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Cloth diapers are slowly making a comeback. (shutterstock.com/-)
Y
ou’ve gone through packs of diapers, and you don’t know how many more you can afford. If your baby has sensitive skin, maybe there’s an angry, red rash crawling over its bum. In between diaper changes, you briefly wonder where all the diapers you toss away go.
Is there an alternative to disposables? Yes! If you want to make the switch to cloth, here’s what you should know.
1. They’re cost-effective
The upfront cost of a set of cloth diapers is far more expensive than a packet of disposables. However, in the long term, cloth diapers are much cheaper, because they can be reused over and over again. Should you spend RM600 per year on disposables, RM300 will get you a set of the most economical cloth diapers that can span a three-year diapering period (essentially, until your child potty trains). Please note that cloth diapers, like clothes, are susceptible to wear and tear.
2. They’re eco-friendly
So those disposable diapers you’ve been throwing away by the stinking binful, where do they end up? Overflowing landfills. They’re the third largest consumer item in landfills, and account for 30% of non-biodegradable waste (Source: Small Footprint Family).
3. They’re reusable
While cloth diapers, like any fabric, can show signs of wear and tear after frequent washing and wearing, a good-quality diaper, treated well, can be used again for a second, third, or even fourth child. Many parents who cloth diaper often reuse a set for their other children. If your collection is in pristine condition, you can even resell it.
4. They’re convenient
This is a moot point. Parents who don’t want to make the switch say that it’s easier to use disposables since clean-up is more convenient. Well, yes and no. Poop is poop. Even with disposables, you should be flushing away all waste, instead of just wrapping up the diaper and chucking it in the bin.
Cloth diapers can be cleaned like a load of laundry: rinse, wash, and dry. (Yes, you will need to do more loads of laundry.)
5. They’re better for sensitive skin
If your baby has eczema or sensitive skin, disposables can aggravate diaper rash. Cloth diapers are a better choice because they’re softer and more breathable. Even so, cloth diapers should be chosen with special care for babies with eczema (i.e. very soft fabrics like bamboo charcoal and fleece).
