Kidalog/Baby Love Products, Camrose, Alberta, Canada
The washing machine you have will affect the life of your cloth
diapers. We recently moved, and instead of the regular-sized automatic
washer, we are now using an apartment-size spin washer, the kind
that does not have an agitator. My tea towels had held up well
for a couple of years in the regular washer, but were shredding
after just a few washes in the spin washer! After having our socks
and underwear fall apart, we realized they needed to be washed
on the "knit" setting instead of "regular".
So, when washing cloth diapers, be sure that your machine is set
for the gentlest agitation that will still get them clean. Over-drying
diapers can have a similar disastrous effect; all that lint you
find in the dryer's lint-catcher is fabric that has come off the
diapers! (Grace, editor)
Did you ever wonder why
there are commercials for disposable diapers during kid's cartoon
shows? My daughter suggested that these are intended to brainwash
kids so that when they are parents they will use disposables.
(Grace)
Did you know? Disposable diaper companies
give special prices to hospitals so new mothers become accustomed
to using their products right from baby's birth.
Your
baby will spend over 20,000 hours in diapers, so choosing a diaper
is a major decision. Fit and comfort are important. You will also
want to consider the heritage you are leaving your child. ONE
baby diapered in disposable diapers will leave behind 2 1/2 TONS
of non-biodegradeable garbage!
If you use water
in your diaper pail, add 1/2 cup borax, dissolved in hot water,
to your diaper pail. Borax disinfects and deodorizes. It is available
in the laundry products section of any grocery store.
Wool
fact: Wool can absorb over 30% moisture before feeling wet to
the touch, cotton can absorb 8% and synthetics 0 to 4%
Avoid
talcum powder as it may be contaminated with asbestos fibres.
Breathing in any of this powder is dangerous as there is no safe
level for asbestos exposure. Instead, use arrowroot powder, rice
starch, or corn starch, all available at health food stores.
Disposable
diapers are not acceptable for Edmonton's recycling program, according
to the Waste Management branch. Some residents mistakenly put
them in the blue recycling bags, but they cannot be used. Edmonton
Sun, June 4/2000
Did you know that in 1955, 100%
of American babies wore cloth diapers? In 1955 only 7.1 of American
babies experienced diaper rash. In 1991, about 90% wore disposable
diapers. In 1991, the incidence of diaper rash was 78%. (Journal
of Pediatrics, 1959, Vol 54; Clinical Pediatrics, 1991, Vol. 30)
A well-prepared diaper bag should include:
* diapers
* diaper covers
* bag to hold dirty diapers
* wipes or wet washcloths |
* extra clothes
* blanket
* hat
* diaper cream
* toys
* snacks |
Washing cloth diapers uses only the same
amount of water that would be used by one person flushing the
toilet 5 or 6 times a day.
