PaperlessKitchen Blog

CHANGE DIAPERS ON EARTH DAY

Hey green parents! What will you be doing on April 20? If you don't have plans for Earth Day yet, you should check out the 3rd Annual Great Cloth Diaper Change.

Sponsored by the Real Diaper Association and Diaper Junction, this event seeks to raise awareness about the waste caused by disposable diapers and introduce new parents to the benefits of going with cloth. The event will take place at 11:00AM local time in 256 cities in 13 countries around the world.

During the event, parents will attempt to break the Guinness World Record Book for diaper changing. The day promises to be fun, and many of the locations are holding additional festivities before and after the diaper change.

The message of the day will be that cloth diapers are just plain better for the environment. Nearly 20 billion disposable diapers make their way to landfills each year, and it takes at least two centuries for each to fully biodegrade. By participating in the event, you can help spread the word and do something special for Earth Day.

You can search for locations near you by visiting the 3rd Annual Great Cloth Diaper Change website. 

Did you participate in the event last year or the year before? Do you plan to go this year? Tell us about your experiences or your plans in the "Comments" section!

The Diaper Cream Dilemma

I know that many of our blog readers are green parents and that cloth diapering is an important part of eco-conscious infant care for many parents. This weekend, I was talking with a green mama who brought to light an issue involving cloth diapering that I wanted to share.

This particular friend has a 4-month-old baby. While pregnant, she was adamant that she would be using cloth instead of disposables, and at her baby shower she received gift after gift of cloth diapering essentials. Still despite all this, when I was visiting her home, I saw her little one lounging under the play gym wearing a disposable diaper.

When she noticed that I noticed, she frowned and explained to me that she ran into a snag with cloth diapering. Her baby's sensitive skin had developed a severe case of diaper rash, and she couldn't use diaper cream with cloth diapers.

Surprised by this, I asked why, and she went onto explain the problem. Most diaper creams work by creating a barrier over the skin to prevent moisture from the diaper from irritating the tissue. When the cream rubs off on a cloth diaper, it makes the fabric less absorbent, leading to leaks. This doesn't happen with disposable diapers because the synthetic fibers are more absorbent than natural cloth.

My friend explained that she planned to stick to the disposables until the rash cleared up and then return to cloth. 

When I got home, I started doing some research about this problem and found that there are other solutions besides breaking one's commitment to cloth diapering. I wanted to share them with the Paperless Kitchen blog readers who may also be dealing with similar problems.

- Although the "big name" diaper creams are not cloth diaper friendly, there are several brands that are. Not surprisingly, these creams are also more natural than their counterparts. One brand that is recommended again and again is Angel Baby Bottom Balm from Earth Mama, which was made specifically for use with cloth diapers.

- Many companies now offer biodegradable, flushable liners for cloth diapers that keep diaper cream on the skin instead of on the diaper itself. If you opt for one of these liners, you can typically use any type of diaper cream that you wish.

- Irritation on a baby's bottom is not always caused by diapers. The rash could also be an allergic reaction to fabric or detergent, or it could be caused by yeast. If your baby has developed what seems to be diaper rash for the first time, consult your pediatrician to rule out other possibilities before you begin slathering on the diaper cream.

Are you a green parent who uses cloth diapers? How do you deal with the diaper cream dilemma? Share your tips in the “Comments” section.

Traveling with Cloth Diapers

We know that many of our Paperless Kitchen blog readers are moms and dads and that a big part of green parenting is opting for cloth diapers instead of traditional disposables. When I talk to parents, one of biggest roadblocks to entirely cloth diapering that they describe is travel.

 Whether you're just going on a day outing or planning a vacation, you can easily take cloth diapers with you on the road with some planning. Here are some tips for traveling with cloth diapers to help you take your kiddos anywhere with little hassle.

 - Invest in a waterproof laundry bag that fits inside of your diaper bag. Use it to hold soiled diapers until you return home or can hit a laundromat while traveling.

 - To cut down on smells, store your laundry bag in a nontoxic plastic or stainless steel food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. We recommend Preserve Large Food Storage Containers, which are crafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.

 - Dress your baby in loose clothing, which is less likely to draw moisture away from diapers.

 - Carry a spare cover for your car seat in your diaper bag and make sure you pack an extra change of clothes in case of accidents.

 - If you'll be away from home for an extended period of time and will need a place to wash diapers, use the iPhone/iPad app Laundromatic, to find laundromat locations near you.

 - Some hotels that offer laundry service for guests may be willing to wash cloth diapers upon request as a complimentary or fee-based service.

 Do you use cloth diapers? Share your tricks for traveling with cloth diapers in the "Comments" section.

The Benefits of Organic Wool Diaper Covers

Making the choice to use cloth diapers instead of disposables goes hand in hand with having a paperless kitchen, as experts believe that it takes 200 to 250 years for just one disposable diaper to decompose. Clearly, choosing cloth diapers is a responsible way to protect the planet for our children, but there's no denying that cloth diapers present some challenges.

One way to combat many of the problems with cloth diapers is to use a fine quality diaper cover, and among the options available on the market, those made from organic wool are some of the best for a number of reasons.

- Sustainability Wool is a completely renewable resource. Each sheep typically produces more than 7 pounds of wool per shear, and it usually only takes one year for sheep to have enough wool for shearing.

- Animal-Friendly Organic farms use sheering methods that are gentle, and removing the wool helps keep sheep cooler during the hot summer months.

- Waterproof Sheep produce a natural oil known as lanolin, which is left behind in the wool. The oily texture of lanolin naturally repels water, so it makes diaper covers waterproof without the need for any chemical or synthetic additives.

- Breathable Wool allows air to circulate through its fibers, which helps cut down on the risk for diaper rash. The breathable nature of wool also makes the diaper covers cool during hot weather, yet cozy when it's cold outside.

- Antimicrobial To protect the sheep, wool is naturally resistant to bacteria and fungi. This makes wool diaper covers a sanitary choice.

- Easy Care Organic wool diaper covers are typically machine-washable. The durable fabric holds up well in the wash, allowing you to reuse the diaper covers with all of your children or give them to a friend when you're finished with them.

Have you tried organic wool diaper covers before? Share your experiences with us.