Why use Cloth Diapers? Part 2 of 3
On Monday I answered question #1 in a 3 part series that will hopefully help you understand WHY people use cloth diapers; and more specifically Adult Cloth Diapers. To read the first part of the series click here: Question #1: Why would an adult need cloth diapers?
Today we will answer question #2
Question #2: Why would someone use cloth diapers?
There are many obvious reasons why someone would want to use cloth diapers, and then there are some that most people would never even consider.
The first and most obvious reason is that they are so environmentally friendly.
As quoted from Small Footprint Family,
"Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste. The only other items that outnumber the amount of disposables in landfills are newspapers and beverage and food containers."
The average family spends approximately $1000 a year diapering a child. The average child potty trains at between ages 2 and 3. So on average a family will spend $2500 per child just on disposable diapers. I have four kids, so that averaged out to $10K. Not to mention the added cost to dispose of them. When you look at the hard numbers it's outrageous.
At an average price of $25/cloth diaper. you can buy 24 diapers and spend $600. This will be more than enough for your child, and will last for multiple children. When you add in the small cost of laundering them yourself, along with the few extra fun prints you just can't live with out we'll round it up to $1000 lifetime cost for diapering your family. Right there, I've saved $9,000 dollars! Now, as I wrote in the previous post, many of our customers are adults, some having used our products for 8+ years already. Did you read this post? This is one diaper that has been in use weekly for nearly 6 years. And adult disposable diapers cost more than the children's diapers. But we will cover that in more detail in our third and final post of this series.
So, if cost and the environment are not reason enough to consider cloth diapers, let me share a few of those less obvious why someone would choose to use cloth diapers.
The short answer: special needs.
The long answer:
Special needs that are different for each and every individual that make finding the right product nearly impossible. But we are here to help meet those needs!
In a future post, you will read about one sweet girl that was born with multiple special needs, one of which is a unique form of diabetes. To manage her condition, her parents need to monitor her urine output and need to smell the output. Disposable diapers made that impossible because they often have bi-products to mask the smell. She also has sensitive skin which gets highly irritated with disposables diapers. And this is just ONE story about one little girl.
Often times when we see people with special needs, it is obvious that they have special needs. But there are many people that we are around on a daily basis that are also dealing with more hidden special needs, specifically, various forms of incontinence. I don't know about you, but if I had a hidden need like that, I would do what I could to hide any evidence of it. Which brings me to yet another reason for CLOTH diapers. Cloth diapers look more like underwear, don't make sound when you walk (who wants to swish, swish, swish when they walk?!?) and, when laundered properly, do not have any smell or scent to them.
Did I miss anything? What are some of the reasons that YOU use cloth diapers? I'd love to hear what your favorite reasons are.
* If you are willing, will you share YOUR story with me? You can comment below, or e-mail it to me. I would love to share full length testimonials on this blog.
