By Jesse-Ann Hennessey
Special to KingsCountyNews.ca
They’re cheaper, greener, might prevent diaper rash and they have inspired an organization to help families across the country.
What’s not to love about cloth diapers?
Cloth For A Cause is a non-profit organization run by volunteers who collect and repair donated cloth diapers and accessories and then loan them to interested families in need.
When the family doesn’t need the diapers anymore – for example, if they’ve saved enough money from not buying disposable diapers to buy their own cloth diapers or their child no longer needs them - they give them back to Cloth For A Cause, who gets them ready to be loaned out again.
Spoil Me Rotten in Berwick is the drop-off spot for the program in the Valley, said Laura White-Connell, warehouse person for the Valley.
“If someone can’t make it all the way to Berwick, I can meet them somewhere,” she added.
“We don’t have someone in the Yarmouth area yet, but if you are from that way and want some, I can ship them out. We try to make it as easy as possible for people.”
The biggest benefit of using cloth diapers is the cost savings, she said. Even if parents buy the most expensive cloth diapers, they’ll still see savings of at least $1,000 over the lifetime of using disposables, she said.
“Not buying disposables frees up money that could be spent on other important things, like healthy food,” White-Connell said.
If parents have a second baby, they can re-use the cloth diapers they already have and basically diaper the second child for free, she added.
“That’s saving you a lot of money,” she said.
There are also many other reasons to use cloth diapers; in her opinion, they’re more durable and have less leaks.
“The main reason I switched to cloth diapers is because my older daughter had really sensitive skin. In a cloth diaper, babies are not exposed to the chemicals and fragrances found in disposable diapers,” she said.
“Babies who are in cloth diapers have way less rashes.”
There are also the little things, like not running to the store because you’ve run out of diapers and not having bags of stinky garbage in your house, she added. They’re also a fashion statement - there are so many types to choose from there really is something for everyone.
“There are so many and they’re cute,” she said. “I used disposables with my first child and this time I used cloth right from the start. I’m much happier with it. I’m really glad I switched from disposables to cloth.”
Not buying disposables frees up money that could be spent on other important things. - Laura White-Connell
A lot of people believe cloth diapers are more work than the disposables, but they’re not, she said.
“It’s just an extra load of laundry every other day.”
Being involved in Cloth For A Cause has been a rewarding experience, she said.
“I’m happy about all the donations we’ve gotten,” she said. “Someone from New Brunswick even donated to us because there is no Cloth For A Cause there. I’m so excited about all the donations we’ve been getting, it’s been great.”
Disposable diapers are roughly between 20 and 30 cents apiece, an expense that really isn’t necessary, she said.
“There are so many low-income families and disposable diapers are an expense that really is not needed.”
To find out more information on Cloth For A Cause or to fill out an application form to receive cloth diapers, visit www.clothforacause.ca or the Nova Scotia Cloth for a Cause Facebook page.
