Karen Randall is the founder of the New and Green Baby Company, an online cloth diapering boutique based in Vancouver, Canada. Karen’s Cloth Diapering 101 Workshops make quite an impression on parents who are intimidated by the idea of using cloth diapers. She removes the guess work and gets right down to the real issues involved in making a decision to cloth diaper.
So if you’re still debating – asking yourself whether cloth diapering is really worth all of the up-front cost and ongoing effort – take a minute to find out what Karen has to say.
Top 5 Reasons to Choose Reusable Cloth Diapers
More and more families are choosing to investigate the merits of reusable cloth diapers. Here are five reasons to take a closer look at reusable cloth diapers for your child.
- Better for the Environment: Cloth diapers are simply better for the environment. In the entire life cycle of a cloth diaper, a cloth diaper consumes much less energy and resources and produces far less waste than it’s disposable counterpart. Disposable diapers are the third largest solid waste contributor to our landfills. In Canada each day, over 4 million diapers are thrown away!
- Better for your Child’s Health: Cloth diapers do not expose your child to potentially toxic chemicals. The most common disposables are made from plastics, bleached wood pulp and super absorbent polymers called sodium polylacryate. This substance was banned from Tampons in the 80′s due to it’s association with Toxic Shock Syndrome. Cloth diapers are also breathable and are typically changed more often which equates better skin health.
- Better for your Budget: Though it feels like there is a large outlay to purchase cloth diapers, it is a one-time expense. For the first three years, until potty learning, you will have spent over $3000 using a disposable diaper system. By choosing a cloth diaper system, you can save up to$2500 during your diapering career (and then use this system on a second child to continue the cost savings)! Read about cost comparisons here.
- Better for Toilet Training: Because babies who are in cloth tend to feel the wetness that comes with a pee, they often make that association faster and learn to potty themselves faster. Disposables have a chemical super absorbent core that wick away moisture and remove the opportunity for children to learn that association.
- Better for your Baby’s comfort: We can’t actually ask babies what they prefer, but what would you prefer? Paper & Plastic or cloth underwear? I think I know the answer!
>> FOLLOW Karen on Twitter for more great info! You can find her at @newandgreenbaby
>> INTERESTED in making your own cloth diapers? Check out our simple DIY Homemade Cloth Diaper Pattern.