I’m always looking for ways to continue that love outside of the nursery, to make every day an earth day, and I believe you all are doing the same. I’ll be posting green tips as I find them, but I’d love to hear from you all as well. I’ll group them together and turn them into a one-click online resource for parents who are just getting started on their eco-conscious journey.

Today’s Green Tip: Green Cleaning
When I was growing up, my parents made decisions that were about being less eco-conscious, more about being cash poor. Whatever their motivations, the end result was that we used what we had versus buying expensive disposables. In our house, there were seven kids and only one income. For us, baking soda was akin to a miracle.

• Round one: baking soda plus toothbrush. For the first 30 days or so, it was the combination we used it in our mouths to clean our teeth. Not so tasty but it did the job.
• Round two: scrub around the sink fixtures. A little bit of baking soda and water kept those faucets sparkling clean.
• Round three: Baking soda plus vinegar or lemon juice. Who needs expensive cleansers when you can combine two natural ingredients that do a foamy, fizzy, delightfully clean dance over soap scum and bathtub rings?

We also used baking soda to clean countertops, baking soda to freshen diaper pails and baking soda in our carpet to absorb any smells. With all the chemical options on the shelves, isn’t it nice to know that one of the best and most versatile cleansers is eco-friendly, inexpensive and non-toxic?

Do you use baking soda? Let us know how it worked (or didn’t work) for you!

While browsing our news feeds the other day, we came across a most unusual question – certainly one I hadn’t before seen. A concerned mother posed whether or not cloth diapers were hindering her child’s ability to learn to walk. In other words, because he wore cloth was it taking him longer to learn?

Now, it’s not uncommon for a mom to worry about these kinds of things. If a tooth doesn’t show by a certain time, if the child hasn’t rolled over on his own by so many months, we panic. We wonder if our baby is off some kind of cosmic schedule, and if tardiness in learning a particular life skill portends an endless pattern. First, let’s all take a deep breath, and remember this very important factor about a child’s development:

It will happen when it happens.

This particular question we found came from a mother of a 13-month-old who still struggled with the first steps. If you’re around kids who are practically tap dancing at 11 months, we can see why you’d worry. Know this, though: if a child takes a bit longer to walk it’s not abnormal, and doesn’t necessarily mean anything else is wrong. Babies listen to their natural instincts, and while it’s good to encourage and help them along the way, they probably won’t respond well if Mom is stressed out.

Do cloth diapers determine when a child learns to walk? Whether wearing cloth, disposables, or nothing at all, it makes no difference. So don’t ever think using cloth is a hindrance to your child’s development. If anything, you’ve started to instill eco-friendly values that are sure to remain as your child grows.

Disposable diapers are a 7 billion dollar market, complete with extensive diaper labs and development centers, scientists, chemical engineers, seamstresses, and thousands of testers. Makes the cloth diaper industry seem a bit of an underdog, doesn’t it? Gotta love the underdog.

According to ABC News Nighline reporter, Sharyn Alfonsi, there is a battle for baby’s bottom.

Pampers and Huggies Duke-it-out!

As the U.S. birth rate has declined in the last decade, Pampers and Huggies, the two disposable diaper industry giants, have duked-it-out – each one wanting to grab that market and hang on tight. With the increasing “GREEN” consciousness raging across the nation, there are smaller contenders riding the wave as well; take for instance, gDiapers, and hybrid diapers like GroVia and bumGenius!.

Alfonsi reports from within Pamper’s Top Secret Research and Development Center where over 500 scientists, chemical engineers and seamstresses work to improve the look, feel, absorbency, and trimness of today’s disposable diapers. They go so far as to x-ray diapers – even creating 3-dimensional models.

All in the name of science.

Would you believe they have tester moms who take home the diapers, test them, and then return the soiled diapers to Pampers to be picked apart and sniffed? Yep, one entire unit is dedicated to bowel movements – as Alfonsi said, “…all in the name of science.”

Why would Pampers let down their guard, allowing Alfonsi to be the first to enter this top secret developmental center? A clue is given in the last portion of this report when the friendly Pampers’ representative took time to openly refute complaints about their Dry Max Diapers. The Pampers Dry Max Diapers were reported as giving extreme diaper rash and chemical burns – a Facebook Group was even created for moms to come together, post photos, make reports, and inform parents.

What was Pampers’ response?

“There’s been no data being able to link the Dry Max product to any kind of skin irritation. Dry Max was tested on over 20,000 babies.”

What about the photos on Facebook? What about the complaints? Does that not constitute as data?

With the millions of diapers spent on research, and the billions of diapers to be had in the industry, disposable diaper companies are positioning to be the favorite in households. It is satisfying that in the midst of all this a literal cloth diaper revival seems to be occurring; don’t doubt for a second Pampers and Huggies aren’t aware.

Research indicates consumers are brand loyal, and the game is on to get them to switch, whether it be for a limited edition, jean diaper, or for designer diapers.

Of course, you could always ditch those two choices altogether and go for a more natural, eco-friendly, cozy-for-baby solution – cloth diapers.

There is a resurgence of cloth diaper services popping up all over the United States; I like to think of it as the cloth diaper revival.

While many moms and pops have cloth diapered for years, and couldn’t fathom using disposable products on their precious babies’ bums, there are always the “newbies” – bravely going where, they feel, no (wo)man has gone before.

Time to “normalize” cloth diapering.

Cloth diaper services “normalize” cloth diapering. And why shouldn’t they? When parents see a business built completely around soft, cloth baby diapers, it begs the question, “Cloth diapers? For real?” And yes, that’s the point – they are REAL diapers. What could be more normal than that?

In today’s cloth diaper news, the Rockford Register Star in Rockford, IL announced the grand opening of The Baby Bear Diaper Service. This cloth diaper service will serve the local communities from the city of Roscoe beginning in August.

Owners Steve and Carolyn Branch are a husband and wife team “striving to provide an earth & baby friendly diapering alternative”. Members of the Real Diaper Industry Association, they have diapered eight children of their own – now they want to do their part to make the planet more green.

Not sure how cloth diaper services work?

Typically clients are furnished with a set amount of diapers based on their specific needs. Since diaper changes are every 2-3 hours, you will typically change a baby 10-12 times a day.

Many cloth diaper services base delivery days and times on geographic location as they seek to economize fuel and time. Soiled diapers are picked up and clean cloth diapers are dropped off right at your front door.

For those who have weak stomachs, cloth diaper services may be the perfect fit; no rinsing or soaking is needed. Soiled cloth diapers are placed in the diaper pail (of course loose stool should be shaken off) and picked-up on a weekly basis.

What’s up in your neighborhood?

Any cloth diaper services popping up in your neighborhood? Have you ever used one or considered using one? Give us your story!

In our day to day activity of spreading the word about cloth diapers we need to remember the joy we encounter when we stop and listen to the testimonials, the stories of how moms, dads, caregivers, etc…came to use cloth diapers.

Remember what it’s about.

Cloth diapering isn’t just about getting one more baby in cloth. Cloth diapering isn’t just about the environment, and it isn’t just about the landfills. It also isn’t just about the unnecessary usage of trees and depleting rain forests. Cloth diapering is also about people…little people.

It is easy to forget that babies are simply little people who need to be cared for in the most delicate, loving way possible.

When we share the word about cloth we pass on convictions, and we encourage parents to see that when they cloth diaper, they offer their babies the same comfort, good health, and hygiene they want for themselves.

When a new momma is converted to cloth we can all smile – after all, her baby will be wrapped in cozy bundles of cloth instead of sticky, hot paper diapers.

For all these reasons you may enjoy the post, One Mom’s Story: Cloth Diapers.

Not only does this mom share her story with humor, like when she said, “My interest in cloth diapers stems in part from my tree-hugger tendencies, and in part from my natural cheapskate instincts”, but she is also honest – sharing how initially her husband is the one who took ownership of the cloth diaper challenge, giving her “patient tutorials” about diaper-pinnning.

So many of us can relate and have our own stories to tell.
What is yours?
How did you come to cloth diaper?

Photo Source: Schmid-Schurter, Kristen. “One Mom’s Story – Cloth Diapers.” Photo. myfoxillinois.com 8 July 2010.

Paula Bernstein “babbles” about the “hot-button issue” of cloth diapers and disposable diapers in her article, Cloth Diapers: Another Reason for Moms to Feel Guilty.

Bernstein points out that up until about 50 years ago, diapering was a simple decision – cloth was the only true option, so everyone used cloth. When Pampers emerged on the scene with a revolutionary new paper diaper, “only the diehards stuck with cloth”.

Stressed-out and Guilt Ridden over Diapers?

With the availability of new and improved disposable diapers, and the increasing amount of modernized cloth diapers on the market (Bernstein mentions brands like Happy Heiny’s and bumGenius!), she writes that the increase in choices “inevitably lead to more stressed-out, guilty moms who feel that nothing they do is right.”

Later in the post, Bernstein quotes from Sharon Hays, a professor of contemporary gender studies at the University of Southern California, in her 1997 book, The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. “Hayes refers to ‘the extraordinary pressure of intensive mothering. Choice is supposed to be a good thing,’ she continues, ‘but it becomes overwhelming when there is this nagging sense that you must somehow do it right.’”

Where do you stand on the issue?

Bernstein asks the question, “Will cloth diapering be yet another point of conflict among moms, with those who use them judging those who don’t as lazy or selfish?”

There are a good number of comments following her post – where do you stand?

Are cloth diapers the next point of contention? Will cloth diapering mothers snub those who don’t? Is this the next hurdle of Motherhood many will trip over or is this conversation just another way to justify living with the rule of convenience?

Photo Source: Bernstein, Paula. “Cloth Diapers: Another Reason for Moms to Feel Guilty.” Photo. Babble.com 5 July 2010.

Frank Andersen, a division chief of Women and Children’s Services at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, TX, makes annual trips to Cunen, a city in Guatemala.

There he, and those volunteers that go with him, provide medical care to the people living in and around the city.

Homemade Cloth Diapers

After showing a slide show detailing the trip’s mission and work to his colleagues, patient representative, Beverly Carter noticed the babies and young children were wearing bright, patterned cloth diapers. When she asked Andersen explained they were homemade cloth diapers that helped to prevent illness and decrease the infant mortality rate. “Disposable diapers were too impractical because they could only be used once.”

From there Carter shared her idea for her “Diapers for Babies” project with fellow church ward members in Everett, talking to a friend who helped her spread the word in their church.

Cloth Diaper Requirements

The diapers had certain requirements. According to Carter, they couldn’t use pins or snaps and had to be one size diapers (diapers that would adjust to “grow” with the babies through the Toddler potty training years).

According to Amy Daybert of the Herald Writer fifty volunteers, including Cub Scout Troop 412, worked to sew flannel cloth diapers to meet these requirements. Daybert writes, “They cut out material, sewed wash cloths and other absorbent material inside the diapers and sewed on ties on either side to make them adjustable.” A total of 360 cloth diapers were made, with each diaper taking about an hour to sew.

The cloth diapers sewn by Carter and others are added to the health kits and supplies that travel along with Andersen and his volunteers to Guatemala.

For more information regarding sewing cloth diapers for babies in Guatemala, please email Beverly Carter at sixwilldo@aol.com.

Photo Source: Bates, Dan. “Cloth diapers for healthier babies.” Photo. HeraldNet.com 15 July 2010.

The Real Diaper Association NEEDS YOUR HELP!

The Real Diaper Association sent out a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT to read out to its members and email list with an important request. The RDA (Real Diaper Association) continues to grow, organize and play a leading role in the cloth diaper movement.

If you are not already familiar with RDA, it trains and supports grassroots advocates in leading local Real Diaper Circles, compiles and distributes research on cloth diapering and leading cloth diaper advocacy, it works with media and other businesses and organizations to increase awareness about cloth diapers, and provides direct, reliable and unbiased support for consumers.

RDA could not manage all of this work without the donations of the RDA members. If you haven’t already, consider joining RDA as a member. The annual individual membership is only $25; all donations are tax-deductibe. Membership ensures you are kept up-to-date with RDA’s work and receive the quarterly print newsletter.

Recent Accomplishments Due to An Active Executive Director

In the past year RDA has been able to accomplish a good deal because they have had the good luck to employ an Executive Director. Some of the accomplishments were:

• the launch of a cloth-diaper-friendly daycare directory and publication of a tip sheet on using cloth diapers in daycare,
• a blog carnival focused on Real Diaper Facts that highlighted some of the most useful research out there on the benefits of cloth diapers, and
• the ongoing 100% reusable cloth diapers campaign to support people and choosing and using real diapers in any situation.

Additionally, there are 15 active Real Diaper Circles and nearly 100 volunteers in training to become Leaders across the U.S. and Canada.

Funding an Executive Director Position at RDA

RDA has plans to accomplish much more in the upcoming year, but in order to do so, they need to continue funding an Executive Director position.

For those who have bee supportive on an individual level, spreading the news about cloth diapering to friends and family, now may be the time to become a member of the Real Diaper Association. You help RDA fund an Executive Director position and RDA helps you expand your advocacy efforts!

RDA Anniversary- August 11, 2010

The Real Diaper Anniversary needs to raise $3500 in 35 days – before its 6th Anniversary on August 11, 2010. With your help, contributions, membership renewals, and spreading the message by word of mouth or on your blogs/websites, RDA is confident it can meet its objective.

Remember, all contributions and donations to the Real Diaper Association are tax-deductible!

Real Diaper Association Mission Statement

The Real Diaper Association is a collective non-profit organization in which parents and small businesses take the lead in creating a cultural shift to increase the use of simple, reusable cloth diapers. We connect current cloth diapering parents to the long history of cloth diapering. Cloth diapers are real diapers. The Association organizes local advocates and activists for cloth diapers through a member-supported resource center which plans campaigns, trains organizers, distributes educational information, supports local groups, and connects users to the U.S. Cloth Diaper industry. Local Real Diaper Circles reach users face-to-face with knowledge and tools to make cloth diapering accessible and acceptable to U.S. parents, who have the power to change the world one baby at a time.

Knowing there is a demand for classes on all the different types of cloth diapers available, and how to use them, BabyKicks is proud to announce they are hosting their first ever LIVE ONLINE CLOTH DIAPERING WORKSHIP WEBINAR on how to use cloth diapers.

Finding a time that can suit everyone’s unique schedule is too difficult, so the BabyKicks cloth diaper workshop is going to be hosted online and live – anyone wanting to learn about cloth diapering, and have questions answered, can do it without leaving the comfort of their own home! It is FREE to watch – all you have to do is sign on to your computer!

Spread the word and help BabyKicks get an opportunity to educate more parents about cloth diapering and its many benefits. BabyKicks recognizes that “the world of cloth diapers can be overwhelming for anyone considering cloth for the first time. And, even after starting to use cloth diapers it seems like more and more options are out there.” They built their CLOTH DIAPERING WORKSHOP WEBINAR to familiarize parents and caregivers with all the different options and routines available.

DETAILS…DETAILS

Date: Wednesday July 21, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm (EST)
Place: Your home computer, laptop, ipod, or anywhere with web access
Website: BabyKicks Ustream Channel (www.ustream.tv/channel/babykicks)
RSVP: BabyKicks Facebook page – Leave a comment on their wall letting them know you will be attending the class ~or~ Send an email to gina (at) babykicks (dot) com.

Questions and Answers

During the class anyone can ask questions through a chat box and the host will answer them right away. It is just like any other chat, but it will be in the same room with live video streaming. Everyone will be able to see and hear the host, but not each other. To watch the webinar, simply follow the website link provided above or go to http://www.ustream.tv and key in “BabyKicks” in the search box in the top right hand corner. This will take you to the BabyKicks broadcasting channel.

ANYONE can watch, but if you would like to comment or ask questions, you must create an account (it is quick, painless, and FREE) and then you will be able to chat with the host and other users. The class will start promptly at 2:00 PM (EST) and will also be recorded and posted for everyone who is unable to join in at the scheduled time.

BabyKicks would like to make the Cloth Diaper Webinar a recurring event, perhaps even monthly, but in order to do so, they need participants to get on board to make it happen! So please join them and invite everyone you know that might be interested in using, or learning more about, cloth diapers!

Leader Staff. “Pampers to Offer Colorful Designer Disposable Diapers at Target” Photo. www.clevelandleader.com 30 June. 2010.

Cloth diaper advocates across the globe have long anticipated the emergence of a “cute” disposable diaper. After all, if there is one thing the cloth diapering industry has perfected, it is the art of designing “pretty” ways to collect waste. The only difference between Pampers and the broad array of cloth diaper manufacturers is one simple, unavoidable fact – cloth diapers can be re-used and disposables cannot.

The Cleveland Leader recognized that “Parents who opt to use cloth diapers have long had choices in the colors and styles of diapers that their babies wear. Disposable diaper using parents, however, have been left out in the cold with predominantly white diapers or those with various cartoon characters plastered on them.”

Whether or not there will be 11 different, colorful styles lining the shelves at Target is inconsequential; what everyone needs to remember is a printed disposable diaper is still a single-use item; it is still headed to the landfill, and is still a wasteful way to diaper a baby.

Cloth diapers, on the other hand, can be used over and over on multiple babies, and are free of super-absorbent chemicals and chlorine-bleached paper fluff.

In the No Impact Man’s post, What’s good for the planet is good for your baby’s butt, he stated,

“Say six diapers a day for at least two years. That makes for 4,380 plastic diapers. On the other hand, you could have 24 cotton diapers washed every four days or 183 times over the same period. Can anyone believe those impacts equal each other? Wisdom, I always say, trumps suspect science.”

Exactly.

Cloth diapers are cute AND comfortable.
Paper diapers, pretty or not, simply can’t compare.