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Sarah
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My husband has asked me with this baby NOT to use cloth diapers. I have been an on and off cloth gal for the last five kids. At times when life was hard or when dd had a rash that only resolved with disposables (why?) I switched to Pampers. Ds 22 mo now is in Pampers.
Now, we are having septic tank issues. We were warned when we moved here that the tank we have is not really big enough for a family our size. We've switched to a Front Loading machine, but we still have some issue with our septic bed outdoors not accepting water.
I would really only be adding 2-4 loads/week so I don't know if its a big deal.
Why do you cloth diaper? OR Why DON'T you?
Have you ever found evidence of cancer causing materials in disposables? (I thought I read this at one time but haven't been able to find it since)
Are there known health hazards?
I wonder if I should challenge dh on this. Hmmm. . . .
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Betsy
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+JMJ+
This is a balanced article that looks at cloth diaper. It mentions a bit about the chemicals in diapers, etc.
Betsy
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Philothea
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I have to say I don't know that I would call anythiing from the Weston A. Price foundation "balanced." There is a definite bias and agenda to that site. It's not a bad agenda, but it is definitely there. (And I did use cloth diapers and plan to with my next baby, so this isn't my guilty conscience speaking or anything like that.)
I really think it all depends on the individual situation whether cloth or disposable is the most responsible choice. Not everyone has access to cheap and plentiful water, efficient sewage removal, etc. (Also, for a Christian woman, going against one's husband's stated preference is never the responsible choice, IMO.)
As to the cancer risk, nearly all people in this country have been diapered in disposables for at least the last quarter-century. I suppose the jury will have to remain out on the health issue until the first "sposie" generation reaches the end of its lifespan, but so far everything seems okay. I'd worry much more about what goes INTO a child's body in the form of food and drink than what sits on a child's body for a temporary period and *might* be absorbed in some minute way. Even the article linked admits there is no scientific evidence that disposable diapers are harmful to children.
And if you are truly that concerned about it, then, as the article said, there are compromises like bleach- and petroleum-free diapers available at Whole Foods and online at the natural product retailers. That way you can honor your DH's wishes while keeping your peace of mind.
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Mrs.K
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Diaper choices are such a trivial matter in the Grand Scheme of Things in Life. If your husband has clearly stated his preference then why think of 'challenging' him? He also seems to have a good reson for his choice. 
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Elizabeth
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I was an on again off again cloth diaperer too. One day, about three years ago, I wore an oilcloth apron for a few hours. I felt like I was suffocating! I'm not kidding. The apron did not breathe. I thought about my babies, particularly my really sensitive ones, and I wondered if they didn't feel like that when wearing any diapers that didn't breathe.Maybe it contributed to crankiness. So, when I found I was going to have a chance to diaper once again, I set out to find the most breathable option out there. And I ended up with cloth fuzzi bunz. I kid you not when I tell you that this baby knows the difference! For the second time in her life, we had her in paper this weekend. The idea of a dirty cloth diaper sitting in the car in 90 degree heat while we were at soccer all weekend sent me to the store for Pampers. The last time was for a weekend soccer tournament in March. Both times, I changed as frequently as with cloth. And both times she's gotten a wicked rash. So, for this baby, cloth makes sense.
That said, I do a load every other day and that load with the rinse and soak and extended spin takes an hour and 52 minutes. And it does impact the laundry routine. I can't seem to keep up with laundry...
But I didn't keep up before the baby either  .
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Sarah
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| Posted: May 28 2007 at 4:58pm | IP Logged
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When he could barely talk, my oldest used to call disposables the "itchy diapers." I always remembered that and felt bad when I would put someone in them.
Thanks for the responses. I look forward to more.
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Sarah
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Mrs.K wrote:
| Diaper choices are such a trivial matter in the Grand Scheme of Things in Life. If your husband has clearly stated his preference then why think of 'challenging' him? He also seems to have a good reson for his choice. |
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Good point. I guess what I meant in "challenging him" was to simply bring it up again with some good points and see if he would change his mind, not that I would be disrespectful of him. He does listen to me if I have a point that affects the children's well-being and that's what I was trying to determine with this thread. If I had a good reason or not for the well-being of the children.
On the other hand, my laundry pile is already Mt. Everest and he sees that. He would like to help me simplify and he has a hard time putting cloth on. . .
Thanks ladies.
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4 lads mom
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WOW!! I have been looking into this as well....but now that my husband is out of a job,and we might potentially have to move...I don't know what we are doing, let alone if I should do cloth...but keep the comments coming, everyone!!
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Maturemomg
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I have been a switcher. Currently disposabels, but for many years TOTAL cloth. Back and forth! 
This is NOT NOT NOT something to feel guilty over!
Hint- we have had trouble also with our septic system. Same thing- not designed for 8+ people.
Dh found some stuff he ordered over the net- guaranteed to work. We never needed the guarantee as it worked.
ASI or AmeriSep, Inc in GA. Don't know the website.
I think the first time round he did the major or spendiest treatment and was around $300, Not cheap, but a new spetic system is WAAAAYYYYY more than that. Now he just does maintenance doses. If your dh wants to talk with mine, I can arrange that.
Yours in Christ,
Katht
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Betsy
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Philothea wrote:
| I have to say I don't know that I would call anythiing from the Weston A. Price foundation "balanced." |
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Sorry for the bad choice in words...
Betsy
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teachingmyown
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I have a confession to make, I love Pampers!  These days they are so soft and absorbent and thin. I don't think cloth can compare for the convenience, at least for me.
But, my first four were almost exclusively cloth-diapered. I would occasionally "cheat" for vacations or really long outings, but I was a die-hard cloth user. Perhaps there was even a bit of pride there. When I had #5, we had moved into a small house with fewer bathrooms and horrible plumbing. I had no choice but to switch to disposable. So, #5 and #6 were in disposable only.
Along comes #7, in a new house with lots of toilets and good plumbing. She started out in cloth, but I was too spoiled to persevere. So, Pampers it was, until we hit a financial brick wall this Spring and Pampers were no longer an option. I have adjusted to cloth, gotten the hang of it again, not a lot of leaking anymore! But my kids will tell you, many a day I voice my longing for just one pack of Pampers.
One caveat, if I could buy Fuzzi Bunz or something similar, perhaps I would enjoy it more, but between the laundry, the smell and the frequency of changes, I doubt it.
So, bottom line: no guilt! Go with what works for your family now. There are much bigger issues to worry over and feel guilty about.
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msclavel
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I love disposable diapers!
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Lisbet
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I have always used cloth, but I will tell you that if my husband asked me not to, I wouldn't even have to think twice about switching.
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Sarah
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:22am | IP Logged
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Maturemomg wrote:
If your dh wants to talk with mine, I can arrange that.
Yours in Christ,
Katht |
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I'll have to pursue this later. For now everyone needs me upstairs!
This morning at breakfast dh brought up the septic tank and he looked stressed out. I've decided that since this isn't a huge issue, he doesn't need me adding more stress. Men get very very stressed about plumbing. 
Pampers it is.
But, if our septic system improves, I could switch right?
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stefoodie
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Sarah, of course you could switch!
Heee... just peeping in here to say, we were cloth diaper users for the first child.... until the washing just got too difficult. Oh wait. We used a diaper service the first few months, and then switched to washing ourselves (we didn't have our own washer until dd was 2) so it made it difficult because we'd haul the stuff to the laundromat or to my mom's, etc.
Anyway, used disposables with our next 3. I would absolutely choose cloth, still, if I could keep up with the laundry.
But the choice has been made for me because hubby started "making" Pampers when we had #3. He's one of the guys that design and make those machines that crank out the diapers. So we got freebies, participated in panels, etc. I'm glad some of you like them! They really work hard testing material for comfort, absorbency, etc. That said, I've been on their case to get a "green" diaper out for years.... still hasn't happened, probably never will.
I've told the guys there time and again that they'd be millionaires if they could invent a self-changing diaper... but I guess the genius that invents that hasn't been born yet.
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JennGM
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I use disposable, too. I know dh wouldn't buy into cloth.
My mother used cloth, and I didn't find it horrible. But I have a question or those that use Fuzzi Bunz. The fabric labels are not natural fibers -- polyester. Personally, I find polyester not a very breathable fabric. How are these comfy and cool?
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LisaD
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I use cloth on the baby, but use Pampers for overnight or when we travel. For us, it's a cost issue, an environmental issue, and because I just like the feel of my baby's bottom in cloth. That said, if my dh asked me to stop using cloth, I would do so. He doesn't change cloth diapers. If he has to change a diaper because I'm not home, he'll take off the cloth and put on a disposable. I use very easy to use cloth diapers, no pins, folding, etc., but he still feels intimidated by them~ 
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folklaur
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Sarah wrote:
Why do you cloth diaper? OR Why DON'T you? |
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I did cloth with my last one. She would get an awful, horrible rash if I didn't. The one before, I switched back & forth.....
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Angel
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Can I ask a related question? We have a septic tank, too. I shoot for 2 loads of laundry a day, plus we run our dishwasher twice a day. I have been thinking of switching from disposable to cloth, particularly since we are having such a hard time pottytraining right now and when the new baby is born, that will be 3 in diapers... again.
But... in addition to the septic tank, we have really, really hard water. Is it possible to keep up with cloth diaper laundry in that situation? (How many loads a day can you do with a septic tank before you stress it out too much?) Will the diapers actually come clean?
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Sarah
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Angela-
Our water is just terrible-very hard and there is rust, too. We finally had to get a water softener that is hooked up to everything except the kitchen sink. We heard that the regular softener sodium was not good for the septic bed outdoors so dh buys potassium which is not supposed to harm the septic bed.
Our clothes come a lot cleaner now. We also switched to a front loading washing machine.
I now do 3-4 loads of laundry a day.
I still think you could probably get cloth diapers clean with a regular washer and hard water, even if you didn't switch to a water softener. There would probably need to be some rinsing periodically with vinegar or citric acid and then rinsed again so the vinegar/acid wouldn't burn their skin.
If you had 3 in cloth you would probably being doing diapers every day and thus would add that extra load of laundry each day to the septic. I still think it could be done. Space out all your laundry and dishwashing throughout the day. That's still about what we're doing here and our problems are not coming back into the house but are overflow problems way out in the yard (thank goodness!).
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Cloth Diaper Guilt
