I started researching cloth diapers a few months before my son was born.  When I learned there were modern cloth diapers, through a mommy forum, a light bulb went off in my head.  Ding!  I knew I would use them.  I started on my long journey of research.

The number 1 reason I wanted to cloth diaper was environmental. While I would never have called myself an environmentalist, the sheer number of disposable diapers a child goes through made me a little sick to think about.  Once I realized there was a way around that I jumped in feet first.  I told my husband we were cloth diapering.  He said he wouldn’t change them, but I did it anyway.  I chose diapers I knew he could change if he decided to.  He did right away.  (This is why I tell moms looking into cloth to just do it, the men almost always come around eventually)

Money savings was how I convinced my husband to fund our stash.  This was my number 2 reason.  I presented him with the research and told him that for 300-500 dollars we could diaper our child.  No having to buy disposables.  And, these same diapers could be used on the next baby.  I don’t know how much I have actually spent on my diapers since I did get a little carried away.  Still, the savings will add up to the thousands by the time we are done having children.

My third reason came about after my research.  I started learning how many chemicals disposable diapers contained.  Dioxin (the same ingredient that has been banned from tampons for causing toxic shock syndrome), SAP (Super absorbent polymer gel), and various other nasties that have been shown to contribute to asthma and reduced male fertility are in disposables. I had no clue, and most likely, the majority of other mothers have no clue either.  There is a mentality that exists (and I am guilty of this in many ways as well) that if a product has made it to the mass market, it is safe for use.  Why else would it have passed all of the tests that big companies are surely putting them through? (the Pampers Dry Max outlash and the current Similac recall is another example that we need better quality control, and need to think about what we are giving to our children)

Well, if I have learned anything in the past 2 years, it is that the vast majority of consumer products are less than safe.  I have made a lot of changes in my life since cloth diapering.  I am by no means living a 100% organic lifestyle when it comes to food, clothing, or household products.  I have reconsidered the soaps I use on my son, the sunscreen I put on his body, and the food he eats.  I switched over to unpaper towels.  I buy environmentally friendly laundry detergent and fabric softeners.  This all started thanks to cloth diapers.

I am not perfect.  My son has worn disposables before, he will again.  I can’t afford to buy everything organic.  But I do my best and I am so happy to be using cloth diapers for these reasons and more (like how adorable they are).  I get hit with challenges like everyone else.  When I get discouraged I remind myself of all of the reasons I started and the reasons I should continue.

Don’t forget to join me and other experts on Twitter tonight (Sept 23) at 9 PM EDT for a cloth diaper party hosted by Healthy Child about the “Do’s and Don’ts of Cloth Diapers.”  Use #heatlhychild to join.  RSVP here: http://bit.ly/tpegddd

What about you, Why do YOU Cloth Diaper?

Update:  The CPSC is investigating new Pampers with Dry Max.  Details here.

This is yet another Pampers post.  If you use disposables full time or part time, I urge you to read this.  Pampers are causing serious problems for babies.  Don’t let your baby be next.  If you can, use cloth. If you can’t please choose a brand better for your baby such as Tushies.

Today I saw something very disturbing.  A friend of mine posted a photo (edited to not show her baby’s privates) of a very serious diaper rash.  In fact, it is the worst I have ever seen.  The skin looks like it has been burnt off.  She was hoping to find some advice for treatment and causes until she could get to a doctor.  Obviously her daughter is in pain and very uncomfortable.

A few people suggested it could be a chemical burn.  My friend did a little digging and some dot connecting.  The rash started after she began using the “new and improved” Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max. She found a facebook group dedicated to bringing back the old Dry Max diapers. In that group, consisting of 728 members, she discovered many, many moms complaining of the same burn like rash.  All of the rashes began after using the new  Cruisers with Dry Max.

She has since started using another brand of diapers and is in the process of beginning cloth again after a hiatus.

While I nor she can confirm 100% that the rash is from Pampers Dry Max, the overwhelming number of mothers claiming severe rashes from this diaper is convincing.

Not that causing chemical burns isn’t serious enough, in typical big corporation fashion, it seems they are giving customers with rash complaints the run around.

Here is an excerpt from a customer service rep’s response to a mother complaining of a rash caused by Dry Max:

You know your baby best, but some factors that can contribute to the onset of diaper rash are diet/change in diet, diarrhea, teething, the use of antibiotics, upset stomach, etc. Taking all of these things into consideration, it’s hard to pinpoint the cause of your child’s skin irritation. If your baby’s condition doesn’t improve, you may want to speak with your pediatrician

My friend in particular was told her baby just needs to be moved up to the next size. How could a diaper rash possibly be caused by a smaller size?  Leaking, yes.  Rash, no.

And, in case you would like to see, this is what her baby’s rash looks like. Please be advised this is a graphic image and is hard to look at.  After a doctor appointment she was told it was definitely from the Dry Max diapers which caused “contact dermatitis.”

Listen to a few of the rash concerns:

After 1 day on the new Cruisers, red, hot rash ALL over the bottom. I switched diapers immediately, and am already seeing an improvement with Triple Paste. He’s 15mo and on table food. No allergies, no antibiotics, no diarrhea, not teething.

Our 12 month old son has horrible burn-type rashes and we know it has to be the new Cruisers – the diapers really smell of a strong chemical. The odor becomes stronger when wet. He is on a diet of Enfamil formula and solid foods. We were about to switch him to milk, but are waiting until the rash clears. We have officially switched diapers (testing out Huggies).

These quotes come from a discussion with 25 replies, most of which are instances of severe burn like rashes.  This thread attempted to compare diets and age to rule out other possibilities, and no matter if the baby was breastfed, formula fed, whole milk, or other, the rashes began with Dry Max diapers.

The loyal customers are enraged.  Moms took their complaints to the Pampers Facebook Fanpage, only to have their complaints erased.  Many were also banned from the page.  Others left official reviews of the new Cruisers on Pampers’ website but it denied them saying their reviews had “vulgar language.”  That is because the words “horrible” and “bad” speak the truth: how vulgar.

Another reason parents are enraged is the deception.  Pampers began putting the new Cruisers with Dry Max into the old Cruisers boxes.  Now, parents experiencing rashes are either diving into boxes in the store to compare, or switching brands completely.

But have these parents considered cloth diapers?!?! I think some cloth diaper manufacturers should utilize this Pampers fiasco to convert more moms to cloth diapers.  Hey!  Offer a special discount to members of the Facebook group.

If you came across this blog post because of your troubles with Pampers Dry Max, please consider joining a Twitter chat this Earth Day that is all about how to start cloth diapering.  This would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about modern cloth diapers.  In addition, if you do not currently use cloth diapers, you are eligible to win large prizes of cloth diapers that could very well help you on your way to begin!  To learn more about this party and register visit my recent blog post: Get Real- The Inside Poop on Cloth Diapers.

I think Pampers users would be pleasantly surprised at how absorbent, easy, and comfortable cloth diapers are.  Not to mention, NO HARSH CHEMICALS to cause rashes or burns.

If any disposable diaper user has questions for me personally about how to get started and what diapers might best fit your needs I would be more than willing to answer them.  You can email me at dirtydiaperlaundry at gmail dot com.

I would just like to add that as much as I love cloth diapers, not everyone does.  But if you use disposables please consider another brand.  To further support Pampers when they clearly care nothing for their loyal customers and, more importantly, the health of the babies in their diapers, is foolish.  To read more about the dirty things Pampers has done check out my older Pampers posts.

***Update

In case you are wondering, the baby’s rash in the photo has gotten better for the most part.

Reuters has also just written about the new Pampers and rash issues.