Skin Changes in Stages: From Baby to Adult

Does a child need a skincare routine? When should a teen begin using acne products? At what age is an anti-aging product necessary? Our guide on skin changes for everyone from baby to baby boomer gives you these answers and more!

Baby skin

Skincare starts at day one. A baby’s skin is naturally more sensitive to environmental factors like sun damage and dehydration. Plus, skin irritations or product reactions are common. So knowing how to treat an infant’s fragile, delicate skin is key. Caring for a baby’s skin requires developing a gentle, simple routine, and reading labels to avoid harmful ingredients lurking in shampoos, cleansers and lotions.

Childhood

Kids’ skin can be sensitive, too, making it tougher to find the right products. With so much time spent outside in the dirt and mud, kids need a non-irritating cleanser that removes all traces of dirt and grime. Bruises, bug bites and rashes are also common during childhood. Don’t forget to take them into account when learning to care for a child’s skin.

The “in-between” phase

“Tweens—kids between eight and 12 years old—differ drastically in their skin concerns. Some tweens don’t experience any changes, while other tweens start to notice more adult-like skin problems, such as acne, flakiness or irritation. It’s important to help your tween design a routine that’s simple and gentle enough to maintain every day.

Teens

Let’s face it — your teen may be more concerned about experimenting with makeup than creating a daily skincare regimen. But even if she (or he) has clear skin, the teenage years are the perfect time to customize a skincare routine and foster healthy skincare habits like applying sunscreen. Teens can skip complicated “adult” products like serums, eye creams and anti-aging products. Most teens do great with a basic daily regimen.

Teen acne

This is probably the biggest concern teens have about their skin. If your teen is suffering from oily skin and acne, help him or her choose lightweight, oil-free products that will combat acne without over-drying. Find out how to create a specific acne-fighting regimen here.

College

The college years can be a tricky time for skincare. Most young adults are so preoccupied with studying and socializing that skincare typically takes a backseat. Find out how to work skincare into your busy schedule by using double-duty products and money-saving formulas. Here’s more on designing a skincare regimen just for the college years.

20s

For 20-somethings, for the most part, skincare is a breeze. Most don’t need anti-aging products quite yet, so the key to great skin in the 20s is protecting it from damage that can result in wrinkles, uneven skin and dryness later on. Banish bad habits and build your ideal routine in just a few simple steps.

Adult acne

Unfortunately, acne can still persist well into the 20s. In fact, acne affects about 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men. Learn some specific tips for fighting adult acne here.

30s

The trick to radiant, healthy skin in your 30s is to build upon good habits, and add a few powerful anti-aging formulas to address fine lines. Retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C can effectively treat the skin, targeting fine lines and other telltale signs of aging like sun damage and roughness. Serums, high-performance moisturizers and eye creams are all great additions to a skincare regimen in the 30s.

40s

Frustrated by dull, flaky, wrinkled skin? The 40s are the perfect time for a skincare overhaul. Some women notice that their skin type begins to change in the 40s, often becoming more prone to dryness and dehydration. Take a closer look at your skin and consider what you’d like your products to do. You might also consider in-office treatments to boost your skin. Get the details on both products and procedures here.

50s

Skincare in your 50s can be frustrating as wrinkles deepen and the skin becomes noticeably thinner and less resilient. But having healthy, happy skin is possible when you take good care of it with a consistent routine and potent anti-aging formulas. Options such as minimally invasive procedures, injectables and traditional cosmetic surgery are also available. Read more here.

Your skin experiences many changes throughout different stages in your life. So don’t be surprised if you’re frequently adjusting your routine to keep up with skin’s natural fluctuations. Also, keep in mind that individuals differ markedly in how their skin acts. In other words, there’s no “right” way to care for your skin at any given age. When creating your routine, keep the above in mind as guidelines. And be sure to listen to your skin and evaluate it regularly. If you’re still stumped on how to approach your skincare, consider visiting a dermatologist, who can help you create a custom routine.

Johnson & Johnson Refuses to Remove Cancer Causing Chemicals from Baby Products

A letter signed by 50 groups representing about 1.7 million people was sent to William Weldon, the CEO of Johnson & Johnson.

The letter was asking the company to reformulate it’s iconic baby shampoo and other care products to be free of the cancer causing chemicals 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.  The widespread response it in reaction to a recent study showing many J&J products as containing small amounts of these dangerous chemicals.

The response from Johnson & Johnson response was that they have no immediate plans to take steps toward removing the chemicals and that their are many regulatory agencies in the world that consider the trace levels of these chemicals to be safe.  There are others of course who do not.  The true concern is not that Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo in and of itself has dangerous levels of 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, but that it in combanation with the many other care products from Johnson & Johnson among other companies eventually will add up to dangerous levels.  The chemicals could be removed from the products at additional cost, as in Japan where regulations prevent the use of chemicals that will create formaldehyde.  J&J products do not contain formaldehyde in Japan.

At the very heart of this ordeal is the fact that although cosmetic care products are obsorbed into our bodies they are not regulated for safety in the United States, a fact that cosmetic companies have lobbied hard to maintain.

Dangerous Chemicals in Common Baby Care Products

Here is some rather startling information put fourth recently by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, “No More Toxic Tubs”.

The CSC commissioned an independent laboratory to analyze the contents of 48 products marketing for use by babies for the two cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.  The real concern is not neccessarily that one product may contain small amounts of these dangerous chemicals but that many of them would and the small amounts would add up and potentially lead to illness.  Both of these chemicals are known carcinogens and are associated with a number of health problems.  Many countries have laws restricting the use of these chemicals in care products, the United States is not one of those countries.  Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are not intenionally added to products.  Formaldahyde is a by-product of many commonly used preservatives.  1,4-dioxane is a by-product of chemical processing and can be removed from the product but manufacturers are not required to do so under current law.  Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.

Product Name	1,4-dioxane (ppm)	Formaldehyde (ppm)
Lotion
American Girl Hopes and Dreams Shimmer Body Lotion (Bath & Body Works)	ND*	310
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	ND*	570
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	0.92	610
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	ND*	330
Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion Natural Calm Essences (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	ND*
Mustela Baby Body Lotion (Laboratories Expanscience)	ND*
Tinker Bell Body Lotion (Goldie LLC)	ND*	220
Shampoo
CVS Baby Shampoo (CVS/Pharmacy)	0.92	350
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	ND*	200
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.1	210
L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo – Burst of Cool Melon (L’Oreal USA)	0.95	260
Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon (Unilever)	0.69	ND*
Liquid Shower Soap
American Girl Hopes and Dreams Glistening Shower and Bath Wash (Bath & Body Works)	14
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	6.3	210
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	5.7	220
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	18	150
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Sunny Orange (Bath & Body Works)	35	ND*
Bath Wash
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.4
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.7
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	4.6
CVS Kids Body Wash – Blueberry Blast (CVS/Pharmacy)	0.75	54
Equate Tearless Baby Wash (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)	0.63	290
Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash (Del Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)	6.4
Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash (Gerber Products Company)	2.8	400
Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash (Kimberly-Clark)	3.2	410
Johnson’s Moisture Care Baby Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	3.9
Johnson’s Oatmeal Baby Wash – Vanilla (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	4.2
Mustela Baby Shampoo (Laboratories Expanscience)	2.8
Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel for Hair and Body Newborn/Baby (Laboratories Expanscience)	3.9
Night-time Bath Baby Wash (Target Corporation)	3.6
Bubble Bath
Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies)	0.65	440
Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath (MZB Personal Care)	1.5	130
Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies)	2.8	100
Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath (Laboratories Expanscience)	1.7	ND*
Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango (The Village Company)	2.8	340
Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath (Goldie LLC)	11	420
Baby Wipes
Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wipes (Kimberly-Clark)	ND*
Huggies Soft Skin – Shea Butter (Kimberly-Clark Global Sales Inc)	ND*	100
Kirkland Signature Premium Unscented Baby Wipes (Costco Wholesale Corporation)	ND*
Pampers Baby Fresh (Procter & Gamble)	ND*
Pampers Calming – Lavender (Procter & Gamble)	ND*
Hair Relaxer
Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Creme Relaxer, Normal to Course Hair (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L’Oreal USA)	ND*
Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Children’s Relaxer System, Fine Hair Types (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L’Oreal USA)	ND*	ND*
Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children’s Super (Alberto-Culver Company)	0.27	ND*
Hand Soap
Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon (Procter & Gamble)	0.49	310
Sun Block
Banana Boat Kids UVA & UVB Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (Sun Pharmaceuticals Corp.)	ND*
No-Ad Sun Pals SPF 45 UVA/UVB Sun Protection (Solar Cosmetics Labs Inc.)	0.46
Toothpaste
Colgate Kids 2-in-1 Toothpaste and Mouthwash – Strawberry (Colgate-Palmolive Company)	ND*

source: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Mom’s Skincare Introduces a High Antioxidant and Vitamin Rich Baby Lotion

Baby skin care is extremely important because it is so sensitive. There are many things you should take into consideration when you are thinking about baby skin care.

It is very important that you consider the sun exposure when you are considering baby skin care because a baby’s skin is extremely sensitive. A baby’s skin can burn quickly and sunburn is very painful for your baby. You need to use sunscreen specifically designed for your baby’s skin to ensure that he or she won’t get burned.

When you wash your baby with soaps, shampoos, and bubble baths, you should use only the most gentle baby skin care products as possible. Soaps can be harsh on a baby’s skin and cause it to rash or even become dry and chapped. Dry and chapped skin on a baby can quickly crack and bleed and it is very painful for the baby and there isn’t much that will soothe your baby at this point but time.

Mom’s Skincare light baby moisture lotion is made from the purest natural oils and vitamin rich plant extracts to protect and nurture skin.

Ingredients are as follows:

Unconditional Love, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cabbage Rose Water, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Beeswax, Xanthan Gum, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

More Reasons Not To Spank Your Children

Violence begets violence. A recent meta-analysis of various spanking studies done over the years concluded that children who were spanked, slapped, hit or on the receiving end of objects thrown at them, were more likely to engage in criminal and anti-social behaviors as adults. This included domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.

There was a ….”93 percent agreement among studies that spanking can lead to such problems as delinquent and anti-social behavior in childhood along with aggression, criminal and anti-social behavior and spousal or child abuse as an adult.

“There was a ….”93 percent agreement among studies that spanking can lead to such problems as delinquent and anti-social behavior in childhood along with aggression, criminal and anti-social behavior and spousal or child abuse as an adult.

The researchers suggested that children whose parents spanked, slapped, hit or threw objects at them may have a greater chance of physically or verbally coercing a sexual partner, engaging in risky sexual behavior or engaging in masochistic sex, including sexual arousal by spanking. The researchers warned, however, that this is not a one-to-one or causal relationship.”

If you are a regular to our site, then odds are you are an attachment parenting type who does not need a lecture on why to avoid spanking. If you are visiting however, you may still subscribe to the “spare the rod” mentality. Positive discipline is actually less stressful for both the parents and the children. Not only is it in keeping with the basic golden rule but it also teaches children from the beginning that violence is not an answer to your relationship problems. It does not take a leap of logic to see how a child who is physically hurt by the ones they love will grow up to equate pain with love.

A common misconception of positive discipline and attachment parenting in general is that kids can do whatever they want to with no discipline or boundaries. The opposite is in fact true. The cornerstone of effective positive discipline is fast, swift and consistent boundaries no matter what your actual technique for dealing with the situation. The child learns that there is a consequence to their action from their first tantrum or act of defiance. That consequence may be a naughty chair or time out but they will learn that something happens every time they are naughty. They learn not to be naughty without being physically assaulted by the people who are supposed to be protecting them.

For a great read, check out the Love and Logic series by Jim Fay. They are fantastic books offering real life advice and easy to follow examples that can get you started on a positive discipline path and regain control over your home even if your children are already teenagers. The books are highly recommended and they really work. Whatever you do, don’t hit your kid unless you really want to play roulette with his or her adult life.

Prickly Heat Rash

Heat rash often is called prickly heat but its technical name is miliaria. Nobody really understands exactly why babies have heat rashes, except that the sweat glands in the skin seem to become blocked up. You then get a little leak of the sweat outside of the duct, and that creates irritation or inflammation that results in a tiny red spot or bump about a millimeter or so in size.

Those spots tend to appear in areas where there are skin folds such as in the folds of the neck. They are more likely to happen if a baby becomes overheated. So heat rashes can occur in the summer months in warm climates, or if a baby is a bit too heavily dressed for the surrounding temperature. Sometimes heat rashes can be made worse if parents are applying thick moisturizers or other products.

Using Herbs While Breastfeeding: Part ll

Engorgement and Mastitis

Nursing frequently and on demand will help to quickly establish a healthy and comfortable milk supply, and avoid blockages in the ducts. It is just in those first few days following your milk’s arrival that can be so uncomfortable, with seemingly enough milk for three babies and plenty of swollen discomfort. This will change as your body normalizes and adapts to baby’s specific needs. But while you are waiting for this marvelous equilibrium, here are some suggestions…

-wear loose, comfortable clothing; nothing restrictive

-avoid underwire bras

-poultice the breasts with cabbage leaves to reduce heat and swelling; this can be done by placing a large leaf in each cup of your nursing bra, and changing frequently.

-massage out any lumps or blockages in the ducts, moving from the armpits downward and inward, and expressing excess milk by hand or pump.

Attend to engorgement promptly, as it can lead to the more uncomfortable breast infection mastitis. Mastitis is a blockage in the milk ducts of the breast, usually visible beneath the skin’s surface as a red, swollen lump, and is tender to the touch. Mastitis is often accompanied by a fever and achey, flu-like symptoms. Continue to nurse your baby, or express excess milk to keep the ducts clear. The infection will not harm the baby, and in fact continuing to nurse is the best thing to do as it will steady the milk supply and relieve engorgement. Continuing to poultice with cabbage leaves will offer relief from pain and alleviate swelling. Vitamin C can be taken to aid natural immune function, 500 mg every 3 hours. The use of lymphatic herbs will assist drainage and boost the immune system’s response to the infection. These are all safe for use by a nursing woman, and fine to pass along to baby.

Cleavers (Galium aparine): useful for swelling, which blocks proper and necessary drainage, and boosts blood-cleansing capacities in the body. Use fresh flowering tincture of cleavers, 30-40 drops in warm water every 3 hours.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): excellent for promoting the flow and drainage of lymphatic fluids, calendula is especially beneficial in dissolving blockages. Because it is difficult to find in tincture form, drink one cup of the infusion every 4 hours, or three times a day.

Prickly ash (Xanthoxylum americanum): stimulates lymphatic flow, increases immunity, and dissolves deposits and blockages. Take 20-30 drops of the tincture in warm water every 3 hours.

Echinacea root (Echinacea augustifolia, purpurea): use this antibiotic alternative in conjunction with your chosen lymphatic(s) for its innate infection fighting capabilities. Divide the body weight in half to determine the amount of tincture drops to take, and repeat this dose every 3 hours.

Garden sage or parsley eaten or brewed for tea will act as the opposite of a galactagogue, drying up excess milk to reduce blockages in the milk ducts and improve swelling, helping the infection to heal. Use small quantities over a short period of time, so as not to threaten the establishment of an adequate milk supply. These are wonderful to remember for use when it’s time to wean…

Nipple Conditioning

The best prevention for sore nipples is protection. Newborn babies have a tendency to camp at the breast, and this frequent use can cause some wear and tear. Conditioning of the nipples can begin during pregnancy, with simple and natural emollients. Almond oil is a good option, or lanolin. Lanolin, unlike the almond oil, can be used after baby arrives and is established in nursing. Lanolin will not interfere with baby’s ability to latch on to the nipple correctly, nor will it harm baby to suck on nipples wearing lanolin. It need not be removed to nurse, and can be applied prior to feedings to protect and nourish the nipples. Regular use of lanolin will help to prevent tears on the nipples, which aside from being painful provide an opening for bacteria and increase the likelihood of developing mastitis. Lanolin can be found in the baby supplies section of your drugstore; a popular brand is “Lansinoh”. Allow fresh air to visit the breasts. Go braless for periods of time, or leave the nursing flaps of your bra open for a “breather”.

Seek help from a lactation specialist or breastfeeding advocate if nursing continues to be an uncomfortable experience. It could be that the baby is not attaching to the breast properly, and these people are trained to provide guidance and support. Please refer to the Appendix for resources on breastfeeding support. LaLeche League is an international organization for breastfeeding advocacy, and has trained support people who will come to your home, free of charge, if need be.

This text intends to provide information on the traditional uses of native plants, not to prescribe. If your child is not well, please seek the assistance of a competent health care provider.

News for Infant Eye Care

The most common advise for caring for such a delicate area is antibiotic eye ointment, usually erythromycin, to be applied to the newborn’s eyes as a precaution against any bacteria which may have been transmitted from the birth canal to the baby’s eyes. Bacteria that cause syphilis and gonorrhea can cause blindness in the infant. While the ointment is mild and not as dangerous as its precedent, silver nitrate drops, which also caused blindness, there are effective herbal alternatives.

Washing the eyes with a warm echinacea root decoction is an excellent, safe, and effective alternative to the conventional ointment. This eyewash can also be diluted with mother’s milk, if any is available. Mother’s milk is abundant in natural substances called lysosomes, which can also be found in saliva and tears. These convey remarkable protective antiseptic and infection fighting qualities, and it is fine for this new milk to go into tender new eyes. These same options can also be used if an eye infection does develop. Newborn eye infections are common, as before baby’s tear ducts begin working things can become congested. Regular washing of the eyes with tepid water will serve as a preventive measure. If pinkeye, or conjunctivitis should develop, the echinacea eyewash with or without mother’s milk will soothe, protect, and initiate healing.

Using Herbs While Breastfeeding: Part I

Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding your newborn, if circumstances allow, for many reasons. Nursing your baby is a natural and normal conclusion to the experience of pregnancy and birth. In fact, it serves as a powerful link from the period of gestation to parenting. It is the new umbilicus, a living link between mother and child, still providing nourishment on a level that exceeds the physical.

Breastfeeding encourages the postpartum rebalancing of hormones. It also is responsible for the production and circulation of prolactin, the “mothering” hormone. Breastfeeding fosters the bonding of mother and infant, and is a profoundly intimate human experience. It is the ultimate fulfilled expression of one’s womanhood to satisfy her new babe’s hunger with this perfect first food from her own body.

Breastmilk is natural immunity. Mom’s white blood cells are passed on to baby through her milk. Colostrum, or the richer “pre-milk” is loaded with antibodies from the mother to help protect the baby from illness. Breastmilk is also naturally abundant in essential fatty acids, or EFAs. These substances are responsible for a variety of important physiological functions in the body, most notably brain cell health and development. EFAs support the rapid cognitive development in growing infants. In fact, European infant formulas must be made with an EFA supplement in order to be approved for sale and consumer use. The U.S. unfortunately has not adopted this policy. Breastmilk is wise; it changes to meet the unique needs of your baby as your baby changes and grows. Formula will never do that.

Galactagogues

Galactagogues are those herbs that establish and promote the flow of mother’s milk. They often have high calcium contents and vary in taste. The recommended use of the following herbs is in tea form, as the added liquid intake will also help to increase milk. It’s important for nursing moms to pay attention to liquid intake and stay well hydrated.

Blessed thistle root (Cnicus benedictus): bitter tasting, this one is best used in combination with others.

Hops flowers (Humulus lupus): also somewhat bitter, hops is an effective galactagogue with the added benefits of sedative, relaxant qualities. The addition of hops to a galactagogue brew will help both mother and baby to settle down at the day’s close.

Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare): sweet fennel seeds add flavor and palatability to a galactagogue tea blend. They also have value in treating digestive upsets, making them ideal if baby has bouts with gas bubbles in her sensitive tummy.

Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum): another sweet seed, fenugreek is mild tasting and reminiscent of maple syrup. These seeds are wo nderful for increasing and enriching a scanty milk supply, and like fennel they are also useful for colicky complaints.

Borage leaf (Borago officinalis): high in calcium, borage leaves are mild tasting and make a strong addition to any galactagogue brew.

The Cloth Diaper Choice

Some choose to use cloth all the time, others use cloth as the rule, with exceptions made for traveling, outings or nighttime, while others will use disposables all the time. There are important reasons why we chose to use cloth and with the fabulous products that are currently available, it is easy to do so with very little fuss and a much lighter footprint left upon the environmental future of our children.

We used cloth 99.9% of the time. For the first month, as we adjusted to life with Terran, we used a diaper service. While they were fabulous and I would probably go that route again if we were to have a second child (though maybe just 2 weeks next time around), it is far more economical to own and wash one’s own set. We also used one pack of Tushies brand disposables on a two-week trip we took, but we also took our cloths with us, and alternated between the two as convenience and washing opportunities presented themselves.

One point to mention here is that if it is economically viable, you will probably find that the investment in a really good set of diapers is well worth it (and they can always be found at consignment shops for a fraction of the new price). We found some with built-in liners, velcro fastenings, and snaps that allowed the diaper size to grow with our babe. There are many different types on the market and whether you’re investing in or inheriting a set, it may be a good idea to stop by a good diaper store and discuss which type of wraps go with which type of diapers and the liner options available (generally bio-degradable disposable or reusable).

Why Cloth?
Number one factor in our decision to use cloth was quite simply health. There are no chemicals in cloth diapers therefore there aren’t chemicals in constant contact with baby’s bottom. As we hear more and more about the detrimental effects of various chemicals and toxins in our world, I feel strongly about eliminating those we can for our son.

There are a number of chemicals, perfumes, and dyes in disposable diapers that can irritate babies’ bottoms. One chemical in particular, dioxin, though found only in trace amounts in most brands, has been classified by the World Health Organization as a Class 1 Carcinogen (which means it is a known human carcinogen). Dioxin is a by-product of the paper bleaching process and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that skin rashes, liver damage, weight loss, and a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system have all been attributed to human exposure of dioxins. I just could not bear the thought of exposing our baby to even trace amounts of such a chemical almost constantly for the first 2-3 years of his life (the time in which his immune system is developing rapidly).

Another of the chemicals found in most disposables is called sodium polyacrylate, which is the chemical that was removed from tampons because of its link to TSS (toxic shock syndrome) in 1985. It is used to make diapers more absorbent (it can hold 100 times it’s weight in liquid), but some sources say it can cause bleeding in the perineal and scrotal tissues of some babies and has even been found in the urinary tracts of some infants.

Hmmm…not a comforting thought for our babies’ bottoms, is it?

Another strong factor in the diapering decision is the environmental impact. It takes about 500 years for disposables to decompose – if they are exposed to sun and air (how long will it take them to decompose if singly wrapped by the Diaper Genie, then put in another, bigger plastic bag to go to the curb in, then dumped into a landfill and piled with tons and tons of other garbage?). They are piling up in our landfills very quickly. From birth to potty-learning, each child will undergo 6000-9000 diaper changes. That literally translates to over one ton of waste entering the solid waste system per child. Disposable diapers are landing in the landfills and besides not decomposing, they contribute to the contamination of the soil, water supplies and create air pollutants. Feces in the disposable diapers can carry over 100 viruses to landfills, and those same chemicals that were next to the baby’s bottom (including dioxins) are also transferred to the land.

Economically speaking, cloth diapers again win hands-down over disposables. Depending on the cloth system employed by families (fitted, flat, pre-folded, all-in-ones, etc.), the costs can range from $150 to $500. Disposables will easily run well over $1500 – for each child. Should you have more than one child, a good set of cloth diapers will likely be able to see another babe or two through their diapering days.

Makes a rather strong argument for the cloth system, doesn’t it?

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