Compare and Contrast Essay

Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers
Jeneva A. Fierro
ENG 121
Professor Muirhead
October 6, 2012

I. Cloth diapers A. Cost B. Natural fibers C. Toxins and health issues D. Varity II. Disposable diapers A. Convenience B. Wetness protection and absorbency C. Safety and sizes

When my daughter was born this past March, I was faced with many decisions to make. One of the major financial decisions was to use either cloth diapers or disposable diapers? I did a lot of asking around and online research, and made my decision when my daughter was about two months old and developed a diaper rash. What would you chose?
Cloth diapers are just that, cloth. They are washable and can be passed down to other children. A cloth diaper can cost anywhere from $5 to $24 new, and from $1 - $10 used. It takes about 20 – 40 diapers to make a good stash so that you only need to wash at the most twice a week. The cost of starting up a stash runs about $300 - $400 initially, but most if not all have a resale value if taken care of really well. From 9 am to about 8 pm I change my daughters diaper about 6 – 9 times a day. That comes out to about 270 diapers a month. Disposable diaper cost about $40 for a large box from Sam’s or Costco, and buying them every month for the next 2 ½ years comes out to about $1,200 for one child. Some diapers are made of, bamboo, cotton, fleece, wool, microfiber, charcoal, or even some blends of these materials. Disposable diapers have chemicals in them such as; Dioxins, Sodium Polyacrylate, tributyl-Tin (TBT), Volatile organic compounds (VOCS), and other chemicals. These chemicals cause skin reactions and altered liver function, as well as impairments to the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system and reproductive functions. The verity of cloth diapers is endless, and custom ones can also be made. Although, The Honest Company has disposable diapers that are 100% organic and toxin free. They also offer designs and different sizes for a growing baby.
Cloth diapers are washable and have really cute prints, but washing sometimes is not an option for some. Disposable diapers offer the convenience of tossing them in the trash. Just change baby, put dirty wipes in the diaper and throw it away, and you don’t have to worry about the smell. The fillers that are in the disposable diapers absorb a lot and can work really well during an overnight sleep or long nap. Cloth can sometimes leak if not changed during the night or hourly. But because of the fillers and chemicals in the disposables, a rash can occur if not changed often. If a cloth diaper is not cleaned

Show More