-By Tela
I’ve been trying to find an alternative diaper to the traditional disposable that is better for my baby and the environment. It’s very concerning to me that most traditional baby diapers contain chlorine and are made with plastic and oils that come in contact with my baby’s sensitive skin on a daily basis. Also to consider is that the average child generates ½ ton of diapers each year, which then takes more than 500 years to decompose in a landfill! Mothering Magazine has an article “The Politics of Diapers” that provides a timeline for the disposable diaper debate and various findings related to plastic diapers. Then there is the option of a cloth diaper. However, I’m not crazy about cloth diapers as they seem messy and with the recent drought conditions in my area, I really don’t want to be doing loads of laundry every day.
After researching and experimenting, I’ve discovered two great, “Green” solutions to my diaper dilemma.
Option One: gDiaper
This is a disposable/cloth hybrid diaper that is flushable. The outer diaper is cotton cloth with a padded, plastic free insert that is earth friendly and can be flushed down most toilets. If your toilet can’t handle them, that’s okay too as the inserts are biodegradable and breakdown in 50-150 days. Cost for a starter kit that includes 2 outer covers and 10 padded inserts is $26.99. The refills run $14.49 for 40. You can purchase them from the babyminding Boutique or through Gaiam.
Option Two: Nature Babycare
This is an eco-friendly disposable diaper that I recently discovered at Target. They are all natural, plastic-free, chlorine free diapers. The diaper & packaging are both 100% compostable, made from corn. This company also makes wipes that are biodegradable, chlorine free and natural based packaging. Cost is $9.54 for 44 diapers. These can be purchased in store at Target.
If anyone has other product recommendations or preferences, please share by leaving a comment!
Thank you for Reading!
Tela
{ 1 trackback }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
T -
I was surprised, when doing the math, that the diapers you mentioned in option #2 are actually the same if not less expensive per diaper to what I’ve been paying for the Pampers. Have you tried those? How are they with absorption and “flexibility”? I am seriosuly considering changing…
D