Most American mothers take pregnancy seriously, and do what they can to keep chemicals and pollutants away from their precious baby. Over the last decade, various studies regarding foods and chemicals that adversely affect a developing fetus have made an impact of mothers-to-be. Expecting women are warned not to smoke tobacco as the chemicals found in cigarettes can have detrimental effects on a fetus, and mothers heed these warnings. In addition to avoiding alcohol and tobacco, today’s expecting moms avoid fish because of mercury content, meats containing nitrates, caffeine laden drinks, and a plethora of other things that could hurt their precious baby. However, very few people give an ounce of thought to the chemicals that they wrap their baby in all day, every day for 2-3 years after giving birth.

According to the Real Diaper Association, disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, a toxic by-product of the paper bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer linked chemicals. Disposable diapers also contain Tributyl-tin, which is a toxic pollutant that causes hormonal problems in humans and animals.

One of the reasons disposable diapers are so popular, is that the super absorbent gel inside of a diaper seems to absorb an endless amount of moisture, creating a convenient solution for busy parents. The gel (SAP, super absorbent polymer) is similar to the gel substance formerly used in tampons, which increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Because of the capacity of SAP, parents can generally leave their child in a disposable much longer than a child can be left in cloth. The absorbent gel that makes life convenient makes it very easy for parents to leave their child in a soiled diaper far longer than is considered “healthy”. Leaving a child in a diaper for extended periods is a significant contributor to diaper rash. Diaper rash is also present because a child’s skin is not allowed to breathe. In simple terms, a disposable diapered baby is basically wearing a plastic sweat suit 24 hours a day for 2-3 years.

Information is now available in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (May 2000) showing that the scrotal temperature of boys that wear disposable diapers is increased, and extended and constant use of disposables will blunt or totally abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism which is so important for normal spermatogenesis.

Simply put, cloth diapers are better for the health of your baby.