I get asked this question a lot. These are my personal opinions on the cloth vs disposable issue - I don't expect others to hold the same opinions, or even agree with me. My first child was in top of the range disposables after 9 weeks of using traditional towelling squares that (no matter how I washed them) aggravated her sensitive skin. When I was pregnant with my second, I was determined to use cloth, and eventually came up with the idea of using soft flannel fabric in a design based on the shape and convenience of disposables. Unfortunately, my second daughter had dislocated hips and required a special hip brace for the first few months which meant wearing disposables not cloth. So I have used both and can honestly say from experience that cloth nappies are far superior to (even the most expensive) disposable ones.
There are four reason's I personally prefer to use cloth nappies. My baby's Health, my baby's comfort, to save money and to save the environment. (I also prefer to use my cloth Gaia PadsTM for My Health, My comfort, to save money and to save the environment).
My baby's health: I cannot see how encasing my baby's bottom in paper, plastic, superabsorbent polymer gel (which sticks to their skin in little balls) and all the perfumes and chemicals that disposable nappies contain for 2.5 to 3 years can possibly be healthy. I cannot imagine wearing a paper lined plastic garbage bag for this period of time myself, so I don't think it is fair to force my baby to do the same.
With disposables, it is not as easy to tell that baby needs changing, and it is too easy to leave them marinating in their own urine and faeces and growing bacteria. A baby's nappy (disposable or cloth) should be changed as soon as it is soiled. That is the only way to avoid nappy rash. Cloth bottomed baby's suffer less rash because parents are more conscious of checking them regularly. Add to that the fact that cloth is breathable and plastic disposables aren't.
As bacteria grows in hot warm environments, I assume that plastic disposables (yes even those with the soft paper covers) induce more rapid and prolific bacterial growth. I make this assumption based on the fact that if you stick a plastic bag over one hand and a cotton bag over the other, tie them at the wrists then go and stand in the sun for an hour, the one with the plastic bag is going to be hotter, wetter, more uncomfortable and covered in more bacteria.
In addition to this, I personally believe that in 15 or 20 years the disposable nappy industry will be facing the same legal quagmire that cigarette companies are. It would not surprise me in the least to find out in the future that at least some of the new cancers that re being seen, and the rising rates of infertility, endometriosis, and other reproductive disorders are found to be related to disposable nappy use. For a little effort on my part, I am not prepared to risk my baby's health, now or in the future, and I certainly would be devastated if my lack of effort meant that she was unable to have babies of her own.
Apart from that, my baby is now a toddler. As most people know, toddlers fall back onto their bottoms frequently, and none to gently. I don't think that the padding of a disposable nappy protects the spine from jarring and injury like the soft, comfy padding of a cloth nappy and cover.
I have also read of possible connection between the ongoing increase in eczema and asthma and the use of disposables (as a result of the chemicals). This is controversial, but an uneeded risk in a family at risk of asthma anyway.
There have also been several deaths in the US by babies/children suffocating on plastic disposables and from inhalation of the superabsorbent gel crystals. Even if the gel wasn't toxic, can you imagine what this superabsorbant gel would do to the fluid and cells in a baby's stomach if even a small amount was ingested?
Sodium polyacrylate (what the gels are made of in some disposables) was removed from tampons in 1985 as it was linked to tox shock syndrome. I have also read that this chemical, a powder in its dry state, can go up the urethra to the kidneys which causes scarring to both. (This seems very plausible as talcom powder is not recommended to be used for the same reason, especially on girls).
My baby's comfort: This is pretty straight forward - soft cotton cannot possibly compare to paper and plastic against your baby's most sensitive parts. The garbage bag/cotton bag over the hand experiment would probably convince most people of the comfort aspect. Or you could try rubbing the inside of a paper nappy against your face.
For a few months, I did use disposables on my baby at night. She sleeps in our bed, and I didn't want any leaks. After being in cloth all day she used to wriggle and squirm and pick at the nappy with her fingers. That was enough to show me that she could feel the difference and was not comfortable. An older child used to cloth is able to tell you more obviously. (after a few months, I couldn't stand the stink of urine in disposables, having to put a cover over the disposable to prevent leaks, plus in the morning my daughter would have a red rash, which after a couple of hours in cloth had disappeared).
To Save Money: I don't know of many families where saving money is not important. My kids have extremely sensitive skin. I have used disposables in the past, but only the most expensive one as they caused the least amount of physical reaction.
According to the Australian Consumers Association research published in CHOICE November 1993, a survey they conducted found that name brand disposables will cost $3,055 (no-name disposables will cost $1,105) over the first 2.5 years and cloth nappies washed in warm water and dried in a drier would cost $845.00 (or if you soak in a Nappy soaker, rinse in cold and line dry it will cost $390.00). (for more info on money saving washing instructions, please read my article on washing cloth).
So if you have three kids in disposables, going on these 1993 figures, this would cost you $9,165.00!!!!!!! And don't forget the cost of paper baby wipes, lets say $4.50/week for 130 weeks (2.5 years) = $585.00 (or $1,755.00 for three kids, not including inflation). And don't forget to add another $500.00 or so for every six months after 2.5 years that it takes your child to toilet train. Interestingly enough, most cloth bottomed babies toilet train on average 6 months earlier.
At this point, I bet you are thinking 'but you are selling nappies that are $10.00 each how can that save me money?' Even if you bought 24 nappies (say 12 of the $9.90 type and 12 of the $10.90 type average cost $10.40). That would be $249.60 (less volume discount or with 2 free nappies your choice). These nappies are one size and will fit most kids for their whole time in nappies. Then you get to use them on your next child. Plus you don't have to spend the $585.00 on paper baby wipes as you would get 2 dozen free. That saving alone more than covers the cost of your initial outlay.
But for a bit more work in folding, and probably a few more frequent changes, towelling flat nappies are even cheaper, and if you don't plan on buying Cuddly-Bub nappies, that is fine, but please make cloth nappies your decision.
To save the environment: What we do to the environment today, will affect the quality of our childrens lives in the future. Its not a guilt trip - it's a fact, and we all know it. Please read the article about the Environmental Impact of disposables - it is based on unbiased scientific research (that is not the propaganda put out by disposable nappy manufacturers). There are so many things that we do every day that harm the environment. Using cloth nappies and recycling the grey water from washing them only takes a little bit more effort.
Using disposables is like chopping down 4 or 5 trees closest to your home, pulping them up and bleaching them with chemicals that will then get released into your backyard and your neighbourhoods air, and then dumping the 734kg of solid waste that will result into your backyard? (including all the raw faecal matter that most people don't empty into the toilet first). The sad thing is that 67% of the parents around you will be doing the same thing (disposable use rate stated by Kimberly-Clark).
Even if you cannot possibly imagine doing an extra load or two of washing a week, look into a nappy service in your area (they drop off clean cloth nappies and pick up the soiled ones which they then launder under controlled conditions).
