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Kickstarting with modern cloth diapers
- 1. By: Swati Sinha Founder - Cozy Bub
- 2. Diapering History & Rise of Disposable Diapers Diapering – an age old problem Swaddling Cloth, Blankets were used for centuries Diaper - a square or rectangle of linen, cotton flannel kept in place using pins used in late 1800s Disposable diapers came into the forefront around World War II: Marion Donovan – shower curtain diaper cover 1980s – introduction of features such as “tape” and “super absorbent gel” Big names such as P&G entered the market, and the industry boomeranged as disposables became synonymous with convenience
- 3. Myths Vs Reality of Disposable Diapers Convenience? •Is it really convenient to use hard-earned money to buy something that’s destined for the garbage dump? •Buy diapers as per the changing shape of the baby’s body? Cheap? •At an average spend of about INR 40000 over a 2-yr period, does it come cheap? •What if you are diapering more than 1 kid at a time? Mess Free? •What about the big poop explosions? •Untreated human waste in the garbage dump, making its way into the soil & water table Comfortable for baby? •Plastic or paper against baby’s gentle skin? •A wide range of chemicals with harmful effects
- 4. SAP (Sodium Polyacrylate) The MAGIC GEL component • Allergic reactions • Severe skin irritation • May cause Toxic Shock Syndrome • Death as result of consumption in small amount Dioxin • May cause cancer • Disrupt hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems. Other Toxic Materials • Nervous system depressant • Carcinogenic • Skin irritant • Respiratory Irritant Dyes • Found in colored patterns on outside of diaper, in elastics and wetness indicator • Can cause skin rash Pthalates • Mimics natural hormones • Send false signals to body Heavy Metals – Tributyl Tin & Others • Harms the immune system • Impairs the hormonal system • Could cause sterility in boys Chemicals Present In Disposable Diapers
- 5. Side-effects of Disposable Diapers •Disposable diapers being super absorbent, parents tend to change diaper less frequently resulting in bacterial build-upDiaper Rash •Usage of disposable diapers leads to increase in scrotal temperature as compared to overall body temperature •Prolonged usage may result in infertility issues in adulthood Infertility/Lower Sperm Production •Chemicals emanating from disposable diapers may cause this May cause Asthma/aggravate condition in Asthma patients •Babies do not feel wet enough to become uncomfortable which is essential for toilet training Longer tenure for Toilet Training
- 6. The Irreparable Damage to Environment 1Wood pulp is extracted from over 250,000 trees every year to manufacture disposable diapers in the United States alone Wastage of Renewable Resources 2• In USA alone, over 3.4 billion gallons of oil is used every year for manufacturing disposable diapers. • Approx. 1500 litre of oil is used for diapering a child exclusively on disposables up to 2.5 yrs of age Loss of Non-Renewable Energy 3• Disposable Diapers comprise nearly 30% of landfill • Decomposition takes about 500 years The Big Garbage Crisis
- 7. So What’s The Solution?
- 8. Introduction to Modern Cloth Diapers
- 9. Bring together the goodness of cloth and the convenience of disposable diapers Washable, reusable Provide gentle care for baby’s gentle skin Waterproof Insert made of multiple layers of fabric that soaks moisture Waterproof Outer shell Stay dry fabric that wicks away moisture to the inner layer and keeps baby comfortable What are Modern Cloth Diapers?
- 10. Advantages of Modern Cloth Diapers
- 11. Poly Urethane Laminate Thermoplastic polyurethane Cotton Organic Cotton Bamboo Hemp Synthetic Microfiber Charcoal Bamboo Stay Dry, Synthetic – Microsuede, Microfleece, Charcoal Bamboo Natural – Cotton, Bamboo Waterproof Outer Shell Absorbency LayersInner Lining Materials Used for Making Modern Cloth Diapers
- 12. Cloth Diaper Family Modern Cloth DiapersWaterproof Non-Waterproof Pocket Diaper All-in-One All-in-Two Cover Flats Prefolds Fitted Diaper Fastener Training Pant Swim Diaper Wet Bag Accessories Liner Reusable Wipes
- 13. BEFORE USING THE DIAPERS & INSERTS AFTER USING THE DIAPERS & INSERTS ON LAUNDRY DAY Use appropriate amount of detergent a complete wash cycle either in machine or hand-wash. If possible, sun drying is preferred. 1 wash is enough for synthetic material inserts such as microfiber, charcoal bamboo. Multiple washes (4-5 or more depending upon manufacturer’s recommendation) to prep the diapers/inserts with natural fabrics such as hemp/organic cotton/bamboo etc. Diapers and inserts which have been urinated in may be stored without rinsing immediately after usage. All used products to be stored in an open bucket, kept in a well ventilated space to avoid stink Those which have been pooped in need to be rinsed immediately, extra water squeezed out and stored for washing next day. (This same procedure may be followed for diapers with only urine too) Natural material insert made up of bamboo, cotton, hemp should ideally be washed on same day of usage to keep their longevity intact. Do a pre-wash and pre-rinse with a very small quantity of detergent and then do a complete wash cycle either in machine or hand-wash. If possible, sun drying is preferred. If using a temperature setting in machine wash, do not wash diapers above 40 degree Centigrade as hot water affects the material of diaper. To prevent detergent or ammonia build up, use warm water for rinsing. To get rid of stains on diapers and inserts, sun drying is helpful. Prepping & Wash Care
- 14. D o ’s D o n ’ t s Wash using any mainstream detergent such as Tide Plus which does not have any additives such as fragrance or any added softeners. Rustic Art is also a great detergent option Change diaper and insert every 2-3 hours during the daytime. For smaller babies, since the peeing frequency is more, it is best to change the diaper every 2 hours Always change the diaper and insert as a set. Only inserts should not be changed even though the inner layer of diaper feels dry Change diaper and insert immediately if baby has pooped in it Use coconut oil after diaper change When hand-washing the diapers, make sure to agitate and rinse well Use appropriate sizing and fitting of diaper. If left loose, may cause rashes due to friction Do not use Dettol or any other antibacterial liquid for washing diapers and inserts Do not use detergents with additives such as fragrance or fabric softeners Do not use rash cream when using cloth diapers (not unless the rash cream is specifically mentioned to be safe for CDs) Do not wash diapers in temperature of above 40 degree Celsius Do not leave natural fibre inserts/diapers unwashed for more than 24hrs preferably General Dos & Don'ts
Editor's Notes
- While diaper rashes can be caused by a variety of problems (food allergies, yeast, etc.), the majority of these rashes come from allergies to diaper and wipe chemicals, lack of air, higher temperatures (because plastic retains body heat), and being changed less often because babies feel dry when they are actually wet.Certain dyes used to add color to disposable diapers have been shown to cause allergic reactions resulting in rashes. Disposable diapers raise the temperature of a baby boy’s scrotum far above body temperature, to the point that it can stop his testicles from developing normally, according to a study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood by German Researchers. A 1999 study tested emissions from three brands of diapers on mice and concluded, “some types of disposable diapers emit mixtures of chemicals that are toxic to the respiratory tract. Disposable diapers should be considered as one of the factors that might cause or exacerbate asthmatic conditions.” Source: http://www.mothering.com/articles/disposable-diapers-linked-to-asthma/ As babies grow into toddlers, they need to start understanding the discomfort that comes with peeing and pooping in diapers and thus, start giving cues for toilet training. This unfortunately doesn’t happen in disposable diapers as they quickly absorb the moisture (within a few seconds) and thus, babies who are used to disposable diapers take more time for toilet training.
- Modern Cloth Diapers (MCDs) bring together the age-old practice of using cloth for diapering the little ones and the ease of use which have popularised disposables. MCDs are made up of several layers and types of fabric that work in conjunction to meet the baby’s diapering needs , keeping the baby happy and comfortable without compromising on their health or the environment. These diapers are a boon to the modern day mother who juggles between several responsibilities and tries to give the best possible care to the baby. Waterproof, skin-friendly, eco-friendly and pocket-friendly too, these products have a huge edge over their disposable counterparts
- Waterproof Outer Shell is commonly made of materials such as PUL (polyurethane laminate) and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane and help in creating a leak-free environment for the baby. Inner Lining: This layer is designed to wick moisture away from a baby’s skin and into more absorbent materials underneath this layer. Inner lining made of synthetic materials such as Microsuede, Microfleece and Charcoal Bamboo give a stay dry feel to baby’s skin. Inner lining made of natural materials such as Cotton and Bamboo are specially preferred during summer. Absorbency Layers: Cotton is the most-used plant fiber on the planet, being absorbent, it is the most popular fabric for making cloth diapers. Organic Cotton is the more responsibly grown version of cotton and is cultivated pesticide free. Bamboo fiber is a very absorbent material that is said to naturally resist the growth of bacteria. Derived from the bamboo plant, a super-fast growing species that can be farmed sustainably Hemp is another natural fiber that is said to resist bacteria growth. It is more hydroscopic (water-holding) than cotton, and uses less water and other resources than is used for farming of cotton. It is highly absorbent but is slow in absorbing and is often combined with cotton for usage in cloth diapers Synthetic fibres such as Microfiber and Charcoal Bamboo are popular choices as they are more cost effective than natural fibre inserts.
- Modern Cloth Diapering systems can be classified as Waterproof or Non-waterproof. Waterproof products: A pocket diaper is usually made up of a simple waterproof cover with a pocket that has been sewn onto the inside of the cover. This pocket can be “stuffed” with either flats or inserts made of absorbent materials of your choice. All-In-One diapers are typically made up of a few absorbency layers that have been sewn together with a waterproof outer to create a one-piece diaper. These are really easy to use for caregivers. All-in-two diapers are usually made of a waterproof outer shell and a snappable insert. Many such AI2 diaper shell can be used multiple times before wash by changing the insert. Covers are the waterproof outer shell which are used as waterproofing solutions forflats, prefolds and fitteds. Non-waterproof : Flats are simply pieces of cloth that can be folded in a variety of ways to attain maximum absorbency. Prefolds are rectangular in shape, have predetermined “creases” for folding. Major advantages of prefold diapers are that they are extremely versatile, simple to launder, and inexpensive. Fitted diapers are highly absorbent diapers that contain multiple layers of absorbent materials. These non-waterproof products such as flats and prefolds often need a cloth diaper fastener to be held together. They are often paired with a cover to make them waterproof. Accessories: Diaper Fasteners such as Snappi are used for holding flat diapers or prefolds together. Training Pants: These are great companions for toilet training and help the baby to quickly get in and out of the diaper and prevent any accidental leakages. Swim Diapers help the little one to splash in the pool or by the sea-side hassle-free, without any leakage issues or problems of outside water seeping into the diaper. Wetbag is a must-have waterproof accessory. It is a great companion to carry used diapers/wet clothes/for swimming outings.