Cloth Diapers: An Evolution

We know what you are thinking when you think of cloth diapers. They are more work, right? Wait, before you decide & take a minute to consider that a little extra work amounts in a whole lot of extra love - for your baby and for the environment. Think for a minute, too, about just how far cloth diapers have come.

In ancient times - we are talking pre-1800s, at least - the cloth diaper we know did not exist. Instead, whatever moderately soft and absorbent materials available were used: leaves, animal skins. Swaddling bands, which covered not only baby bums but the entire body, essentially kept babies immobile. In the 1800s, square rectangles of fabric, usually linen or cotton, were wrapped around the baby and secured with safety pins - still not the greatest solution, but more functional. The cotton flats we are familiar with today emerged in the early 1900s, and they were largely all that was available during the first two world wars.

Disposable diapers were introduced in the 1960s, and improvements were made to them rapidly. Instead of paper, cellulose fibers were used for better performance. But in spite of disposables ease - use one time, toss out - they did, and do, cause problems. For one, they do not breathe well, which means your baby can end up with a severe and painful case of diaper rash. They are also often treated with harsh chemicals that just are not good for a babys tender, formative skin. And even more than that, they are not environmentally friendly. A single disposable diaper takes 20 to 500 years to decompose, which is even worse than it sounds when you consider that 92 percent of disposables end up in landfills.

Today, cloth diapers have gone through improvements themselves. A range of styles are available to suit growing babies needs and your own preferences. They are cool, easy to clean, and can be used 50 to 200 times each. Pins have given way to velcro and snaps to keep diapers in place much more efficiently than closure methods of old. Modern cloth diapers are better shaped and sized, too, so they contour to your babys body comfortably. And when you take a look at all the super-cute colored and patterned options available, they are hard to resist. From Kissaluvs fleece and microfiber to Bumkins cotton flannel, today's brands are soft, sweet, and comfortable.

So go ahead. Take a look around. We think you - and your little one - will be glad you did.