by Ellie Tat

Created on: June 15, 2010   Last Updated: April 17, 2012

While in previous years an overwhelming majority of parents were using disposable diapers, this trend is now changing. A recent Australian online poll by CHOICE showed that “40% of over 1000 respondents prefer cloth nappies”. Here are some of the reasons why this shift is happening.

1)       Cloth diapers are cheaper. Even if you are an addict (as many of us are) and purchase every diaper that attracts your attention, you are unlikely to spend as much as you would on disposables. You can use the same diapers on consequent children or resell them, which reduces the cost per change even further.

2)       Cloth diapers are better for the environment. There seems to be a wide-spread belief that cloth diapers are as bad for the environment as disposables, based on a report by the UK Environment Agency (‘Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK’, 2005). However, the updated report from 2008 shows that if cloth diapers are used responsibly (washed in fuller loads, reused on second children and line-dried) the environmental impact is significantly lower than that of disposable diapers.

3)       Cloth diapers are better for the baby. Babies can often tolerate the cloth diaper natural fabrics much better than disposables. You are also more likely to change your baby more often if she is wearing a cloth diaper – it is easier to notice when the diaper is wet and it does not cost you any extra to change it.

4)       Cloth diapers are fun. If you are using disposables, you will be looking at the same design (or maybe with some small variations) time after time. Cloth diapers come in a variety of fabrics, colors, shapes and fastening styles. And if we have to change diapers several times a day (let’s face it, not the favorite pastime for most of us), then why not take advantage of the sensory stimulation that cloth diapers have to offer?

5)       Modern cloth diapers are easy to use. There is no folding involved, the nappies are shaped just like disposables and can be fastened with hook and loop or snaps.

6)       Cloth diapers facilitate toilet training. While there is lack of scientific evidence to prove this, the theory makes sense. It is easier to tell if your diaper is wet (one of the first stages of traditional toilet training), when your diaper is, well, wet.

With so many advantages it is no wonder that more and more parents are turning to cloth. Why not try it for yourself? It does not have to be all or nothing – start with just a few cloth diapers and see where it takes you. The chances are that you will find it easier than you think and you will never look back.

Learn more about this author, Ellie Tat.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.