Why use Cloth Diapers?

Practical Reasons on Why You Would Want to Start Using Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers has came a long way, and as far as I can remember, most of everyone I know, grew up on it. I remember watching my mother change my brother's nappy and securing it with a safety pin or sometime a tying a simple knot.

Nowadays, we are more accustomed to the conventional nappies which are widely displayed in mini marts and departmental stores. I'm very confident that they are everything stated on their package. However, did you know that a majority of babies who suffer from diaper rash are contributed by disposabel diapers? Disposable diapers are practically "paper diapers" which has undergone numerous processes in turning into what we see the end product of a diaper.

However comfortable or breatheable as they may claim, its still lack the cottony comfort and freshness which only a cloth diaper can provide. How many times do you hear of cloth diapers being the cause of nappy rash in babies apart from the parent unable to change the child in time?

Cloth diapers has revolutionised since the older generation and has now morphed into a more sophisticated and fashionable apparel, yet, maintaining its signature comfortness and versatability.

Lets do the math here :

Assume that 1 pack of diaper (top grade) costs about B$18.90, and has about 40 pieces.1 piece works out to B$0.47

In a day, lets say your child uses up to 4 pieces.

In 10 days you would need buy another packet and will cost you another B$18.50.

In a month of 30 days, that will make up to : B$18.50 x 3 = B$55.50

Multiply that by 12months, you would have spent B$666.

Spead that out for a duration of 3 years, diaper purchasing would have squeezed your pocket out of B$1,998!

That's almost B$2,000, and that is only if you have 1 child.

The amount gets even "attaractive" when you consider the age groups.

Newborn to a 3 months old baby needs on the average 12 diapers a day.
Total costs = 12 pcs x 30 days x 3 months x $0.47 = B$499.50

A 4 months to 6 months old baby needs on average 8 disposable diapers a day
Total costs = 8 pcs x 30 days x 3 months x $0.47 = B$338.40

A 7 months baby to 30 months old baby needs on average 6 disposable diapers a day
Total costs = 6 pcs x 30 days x 24 months x $0.47 = B$2,030.40

Surely we'll not be able to feel the pinch as most of the time, we include them in our grocery purchases.

The cost alone does not include all the diaper rash cream, and trips to the pedeatrician/clinic.

Now lets look at cloth diapers.

3 One Size Diapers = B$84

15 Inserts = B$127.50

Total costs = B$211.50. Let's make it B$300 to include the nappy liners.

With loving care, cloth diapers can be passed down to the younger siblings whereas disposable diapers are strictly a one time use product. The best thing is that cloth diapers come in so many interesting colours and prints plus they're so much more comfy than disposables. Now..if your baby has a choice, which underwear do you think he'll prefer - cloth or paper? :)

The Bottom Line

No matter which kind of cloth diaper you choose, the fact remains that you are going to save a ton of money. The average cost to put disposables on a baby is B$1,998 and as seen above, you can cloth diaper your baby from birth to potty training for less than B$300! That is a savings of over B$1,698 dollars. Not to mention the environmental and health benefits that go along with using cloth diapers. There really is no wrong way to go.