- A typical baby goes through 3,800 disposable diapers in her first 2.5 years.
- 96% of American babies wear disposable diapers. In China, only 6% do. In India, 2%.
- Between 2000 and 2050, the U.S. will add 114 million kids to its population. Africa will add 1.2 billion—but their respective CO2 emissions will be the same.
- One American child generates as much CO2 as 106 Haitian kids.
Okay, you say. I know I should go cloth. But if 96% of Americans do disposable, then just one baby in cloth will hardly make a difference. Plus it seems so hard.
Au contraire. As a cloth diapering convert, I have to say, it's just as easy as disposables, without all the waste. I do the same basic thing I did with my older son, who wore disposables.
My diaper of choice is the bumGenius. It's easy and absorbent. I simply toss baby E's soiled diapers in a diaper pail, and later, istead of trekking to the curb with them, they go into the wash. Because he's breastfed, I wash them as is: no dunking. Once he moves to solids, I'll move to a diaper sprayer. But overall, it's easy, and I know that only the materials I allow are touching his skin. I don't have to wonder what's in that freaky gel inside the disposable. I wash them with a safe and gentle detergent, adding essential oil for a light, fresh smell.
After the wash is done, I stuff a few diapers, and Viola!, baby E is good to go. And, though we tax our well a bit more than we did before baby E's birth, we're not taking out the trash more often.
Worried about the price tag? Yes, you could buy a couple of packs of disposables for the cost of a one-size cloth diaper. But the investment pays off. One-size cloth diapers grow with baby, so you'll have diapers to fit him through his 2.5 diapered years. Simply ask a few friends for one at your baby shower, and baby will be set for life.
Every little bit helps. Go cloth diapers, and see how easily you can lighten baby's carbon footprint.
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