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Every parent out there will argue for one type of diaper or the other.  Some swear by the old standard
cloth nappies - after all, that’s what their mothers used, what their aunts and cousins and
grandmothers used.   Others (most people, in my experience) will argue for disposable diapers,
because they’re convenient – but disposables can raise some hefty concerns, both for the environment
and baby's health.

If you’re a new parent, it’s likely that you have little experience with any kind of diaper. Only experience
will tell what brand and type of diapers are right for you, but I hope that this information will help you
make an informed decision. Despite the hype on both sides, both cloth and disposable diapers can be
economically and environmentally viable options.

Cloth Diapers
What You need  
  • Traditional:  Diapers, diaper covers, diaper pins, a diaper pail, plastic bags for transporting soiled
    diapers.  
  • Modern: Some companies are making no-soak cloth diapers that don’t need pins or plastic covers
What’s Good
  • They’re less expensive than disposables after the initial purchase (unless you’re paying for a
    laundering service).
  • They’re better for the Earth, since they generate less waste in landfills.
  • They’re good for baby’s skin: cloth diapers contain no chemicals or plastics that might cause a
    reaction. Also, so long as they’re changed frequently, cloth diapers don’t provoke a higher
    incidence of diaper rash or irritation.
What’s Not-So-Good
  • Bulky supplies: you need twice as much stuff for a single diaper change.
  • They’re non-Disposable: You have to carry those dirty diapers with you if you’re not at home.  
  • They’re time-consuming:  you’ll have to wash, dry, and fold (unless you hire a diaper service).
  • They can be bad for the environment:  if your cloth diapers are made from conventional cotton
    bleached with chlorine, their manufacture has already contributed to environmental pollution.
    Also, laundering your diapers in commercial laundry detergent and chlorine bleach adds to
    groundwater and air pollution.  But, you can easily reduce these factors by choosing organic
    cotton diapers and using natural detergents and non-toxic oxygen bleaches.

Disposable Diapers
What You need
  • Nothing but the diapers themselves.
What’s Good
  • They’re convenient: they’re light and travel easily, they’re available everywhere, and your can
    toss dirties in the garbage.
  • They’re (relatively) inexpensive:  if you buy in bulk, the cost isn’t prohibitive.  Buying smaller
    packages may put a dent in your wallet, though, especially if you choose premium brands.
What’s Not so Good
  • They’re bad for the Earth: the average disposable diaper can take 450 years or more to degrade
    in a landfill. That means that every single disposable diaper ever used is still out there
    decomposing (scary, isn’t it?).
  • They could be bad for baby.
  • Sodium Polyacrylate, an absorber used in many disposables, was banned from use in
    tampons in 1985 because of its link to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).  A child spends up to 3
    years in diapers, 24 hours a day – yet no data is available on the long-term health effects
    of this chemical in children.
  • Tributylin (a.k.a. TBT, a biocide) has been found in some disposable diapers. This chemical
    is ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most toxic substances
    ever manufactured
  • Some laboratory tests have linked the perfumes and chemicals used in disposable diapers
    to increased incidence of asthma.  

…And the Middle Ground
What You Need
  • Biodegradable or ‘natural’ disposable diapers.
What’s Good
  • They’re as convenient as traditional disposables
  • They’re made of natural materials like cotton and wood pulp bleached without chlorine, so their
    manufacture is better for the environment
  • They contain no gels or ‘superabsorbers’ like Sodium Polyacrylate, and no TBT
  • They contain no chemical perfumes, dyes, latex or other potential irritants.
  • Some can be composted.
  • Some are flushable.
  • Most biodegrade in 3-10 years (instead of over centuries).
  • They can be purchased through many Internet retailers.
What’s Not So Good
  • They’re harder to find in big-box stores than traditional disposables, (although more retailers are
    starting to carry them).
  • They can be as expensive as premium brand disposables

For more information, check out these articles:
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Cloth vs. Disposables: The Title Fight