seems as if everywhere i turn, someone i know [co-worker, old college pal, family member] has got a bun in the oven! and while i may not have to consider issues like cloth vs. disposable diapers for my two children [pups frida & diego], i certainly still think about the impact such a choice has the potential to make on our environment.
did you know that in the 30 month average period an infant uses diapers before potty training is completed, it goes through some 5,000 diapers? that's a sizable contribution to our landfills: currently estimated at a total of over 16 billion diapers [or 2.7 million tons of single use diapers] requiring disposal each year.
and when you consider the amount of plastic debris floating in the middle of the pacific ocean's "great garbage patch" [roughly ten million tons to date] due to our plastic consumption habits, it sure makes it harder to take the conventional diaper route in good conscience.
not to fear: green momma's have options! consider these stylish and sustainable alternatives to the conventional plastic diaper/liner combo. cloth diapers & diapering services are growing in popularity once again after years of suffering from a taboo status in popular american culture--heck, my own momma used them on me and my sis when we were just wee ones! now, thankfully, there are some really cute handmade versions available on sites like etsy and through both national and local retailers.
i came across this company [essential saltes baby] while meandering through the local green company tents at the recent ithaca festival celebration. cute, comfy, and with numerous options for fit and function. also come in organic versions and wool if you're not into buying conventionally grown cotton.
Hey Brandi - love the new blog! Great posting about diapers. Kyle and I use cloth diapers with Jude and wouldn't switch to disposable for anything! It is so much easier than you think, once we got the hang of it, and the financial and environmental benefits are completely worth it. We used a diaper service at first, then pre-folds with covers, and now a fitted diaper with covers. It is so much nicer than when our moms were diapering! We even have a locking pail and a toilet sprayer - no more swishing in the toilet. Anyway, thanks for the good read. I can't wait to see what you post next. Blessings, Erika
ReplyDeleteglad you like erica! so glad to hear about your success with cloth diapering for jude :) my mom had a cloth diapering service for cory and i, but it was still a big job. either way, i just think it's so cool that moms now have *options* and can really take into consideration the environmental factor. what product line do you use? and what's this sprayer all about? would love to know more...please share! thanks so much for reading and sending your ideas!
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