Why do so many parents use regular diapers, not cloth?

Question

I personally used disposables with my first until he was 2 1/2, then switched to cloth. My second child was about 6 months at the time. Now I'm pregnant with my third and I am extatic to use cloth on the new baby! Do people not know that cloth diapers are not like the ones your grandma used to use? Do people even care that it's cheaper to use cloth and better for our environment? I don't understand why somebody wouldn't use cloth. Why wouldn't a parent want to use cloth?

Answer 1

The answers here say it all -- people have no clue what cloth diapers are like. They think that they still need pins and rubber pants and that they require loads and loads of extra laundry, or that soaking diapers smell badly.

They don't think about the environmental impact of diapers filling landfills. They don't know, or wish to know, about the health impact of the special "absorbency" chemicals which are part and parcel of all modern disposables.

They have no idea that using disposables will cost considerably more over the long run, even if they have an extraordinarily large diaper wardrobe for their babe.

Myths, legends, misinformation and plain ignorance fuel behavior here as in most areas of life. Not unusual, but sad.

Answer 2

I use cloth too, but I am at home full time. I don't think many daycare centers, which so many people use, allow cloth diapers. I know I LOVE my baby's cloth diapers and am so glad I only used disposable for a month - gift packages from my shower. Cloth leak less and I can change my baby as often as I want and not worry about money!

And for any moms considering cloth - they really aren't the cloth diapers our grandmother's used. There are NO pins; there are diaper covers with velcro that don't leak; you can get a birth to potty package that has tons of diapers so you can do wash two or three times a week, not everyday; they don't smell any more than disposable.

Answer 3

I think the majority of parents hear cloth diapers and think of rubber pants, pricking babies with pins, and pails of bleach water. Just look at the new cloth diapers at www.diaperpin.com!
Also-the detergent I use only requires a few tablespoons. I do not use bleach-that breaks down the fabric. If the detergent and water made such a bad impact on the environment we would all be running around in disposable paper outfits.
It's really not that hard, I know lots of parents who use them and they work full time. I only have to wash every other day, and I've travelled down the country with my son in them. I haven't put him in a disposable since I made the switch over a year ago.
I think parents should think about babies comfort too-most of us had to wear maxi pads after childbirth-those are really uncomfortable. Now imagine your child in something similar-that's a disposable diaper.
When my son was in disposables he had bleeding rashes, I tried every brand out on the market and nothing helped. Turns out that some babies are allergic to that gelly stuff they have inside.
My sister has seen me change a cloth diaper full of poo-real easy just plops in the toilet and goes into a dry pail. She still can't fathom it but complains about the price of pampers. I think it's really overwhelming at first if you don't understand it.
I also can't stand that people leave the poop in a pamer, wrap it up, then it goes into a landfill to rot for hundreds of years. Read the package-it says that poop is to go into the toilet. This is so human waste doesn't go into our land.

Answer 4

I find the idea of having to wash out my baby's diapers that are filled with poop, disgusting. I know it is less expensive and less of a "waste"- but not at all convenient. When I go on an outing, I don't want to have to bring plastic bags to keep the carseat dry, or put wet or soiled diapers in. I find the convenience well worth the extra cost, as well as the fact that I don't have to have a laundry service just for cloth diapers or wash them myself. With the advances in the absorbancy of disposable diapers, I don't have to worry about leaks, and my child stays dry. Just because some things are better for the environment and less expensive doesn't mean we should all give up the comforts that technology has given us. I personally only ever used the cloth diapers as burp rags, as many people do. It's good that there are people out there like you who are able to put the cloth ones to good use, but as for me- I'll keep the disposables!

Answer 5

I've never used cloth diapers, but I know some people prefer them. I like disposable diapers because they are quicker and easier. You don't have to rinse them and then wash them (and always be doing wash, there's enough us moms have to do than to worry about having to wash the diapers again because your almost out!). I was also worried about accidentily poking my baby with a saftey pin.
From my view, the only good thing about cloth diapers is they don't add to the landfills and you probably save quite a bit of money (then again, maybe the laundry detergent and electric bill from doing all that wash would equal out to what disposables cost??)

Answer 6

Because I work full time and have a hard enough time spending time with my son and husband and making dinner and cleaning the house. I don't have time to clean cloth diapers. Maybe more friendly to the environment, but just doesn't work for us.

And before anyone says if I used cloth diapers, I wouldn't have to work because they are cheaper, no...diapers aren't our only expenses and at this time (though I'd love to) I can't quit my job. (Believe me, we've looked at this several times) the $ just doesn't add up to what it needs to.

Answer 7

Retailers and manufacturers make more money on a "Pampers baby." The big retailers and manufacturers have lead the public to believe that disposables are healthy (they're really not), they're not so bad for the environment (duh!), that diaper rash is normal, and that cloth is messy and inconvenient. You and I know that cloth is easier and (once you know what you're doing) doesn't leak. Not to mention the money we've saved!!!!! I occasionally meet someone who knows about pocket diapers and other convenience products, but retailers don't want us to know about them. The big one (I wish I had a backward "R" on my keyboard) publishes a book that tells expectant parents that cloth diapers are messy, and require pins and vinyl pants. Not in my house! I'm proud to wash my own diapers (1-3 times per week, not day). Kudos to you!

Answer 8

I'll chime in on why I did not. To preface, you should know that I am very into healthy living, and natural everything, and especially reducing my own carbon footprint. But diapers was one place where I caved.

First, I was committed to cloth diapering. I bought a couple of covers and a bunch of diapers at some place like Rite-aid. Had baby. Called local diaper service. Out of business. Called other local diaper service. Out of business. Bought diaper pail and Oxyclean.

Cheap diapers and covers leak. Baby was covered in poop all the time, and so not only did I have to wash all the diapers every day, I had to change her clothes every time and wash them (separate from the diapers) every day. Then the baby got a rash. I treated her for thrush. I powdered her. I used all manner of creams and anti-fungal applications. Still she had a rash. I temporarily switched to disposables. Rash went away inside of the diaper. Turned out she had eczema.

I made a second attempt later. This time I bought the very best covers and the very best hourglass diapers (about $200 total). They still leaked. They still ruined all of her clothes. Or they cut off the circulation in her chubby legs. And they took AGES to dry. And then the rash came back. I was finished. At that point, I decided that I'd better lay off my heavy-handed uber-conscientious-earth-mother thing, because I was being taught a lesson. :)

With my second baby, I decided I could still make a difference. I used disposables and let the damn things fill up to 5 lbs before I changed them. I could get down to only two or three a day, and reduce his exposure to inhaled acrylates at the same time. Not perfect, but at least it left me with lots more time to find other ways to be super(green)mom. :)

Answer 9

Well one good reason is daycare. Most Daycares will not allow cloth diapers to be used.

Another reason would most don't like having to change a diaper at a store and stick it in a bag and carry it around with them.

Me personally I just didn't have the energy when my boys were born to keep up with washing them all the time. They have to be washed a lot or they add up and stink (I have friends that use them) and if you get enough to go a week or two without washing that is alot to build up. Some just don't like the idea at all. My grandma of course warned me about using them because all three of her kids ended up with horrible rashes because the plastic holders would cause moisture to get worse in the diapers but i realize they are different now. I guess it is just one of those things like breastfeeding, some woman like it while others don't for their own reasons.

Answer 10

Parents just don't want the bother or to make the effort. It is a lot of work to use cloth, but it's totally worth it, as you know! I think it's a shame that more parents don't....