Stocking the Nursery with the Necessities: Tips About Bottles and Diapers

Diapers:
You now have many options beyond simply cloth or disposable, however that's still the first decision you will need to make when considering diapers. Unfortunately, you need to weigh a few considerations, such as the affect on the environment, the potential hazards of using synthetic materials, cost and convenience.

Disposable diapers are popular because they are considered to be more convenient. However, disposable diapers leave non-biodegradable plastics and waste in landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 3.1 million tons of disposable diapers were generated in a year, or 1.4 percent of all municipal solid waste.*

Reducing disposable diapers and using reusable cloth diapers, will reduce waste in landfills. With the introduction of Velcro closures, liners, diaper covers, and laundering services, using cloth diapers has become much more convenient. However, cloth diapers may negatively affect the environment in others ways, such as increased water use.

This is simply a brief overview of a few of the considerations. In the end, cloth or disposable, is a personal choice, but whatever you decide, choose the healthier, greener version. If you plan to use disposable diapers, look for gel-free, latex-free, perfume and dye-free, and made without chlorine bleaching. Try Tushies (www.tushies.com) or Seventh Generation (www.seventhgeneration.com) If you choose cloth, look for organic cotton such as Under the Nile's adjustable Velcro diaper. (www.underthenile.com)

To Learn More About Diapers:

• The Green Guide - Diapers. ( www.thegreenguide.com )
• Healthy Child, Healthy World
• Diapers: Which Diapers are Better for the Planet? By Dr. Alan Greene, M.D. ( www.healthychild.org)
• First Steps: The Diaper Debate by Pamela Lundquist ( www.healthychild.org )
• Set Up and Use a Cloth Diapering System ( www.healthychild.org )
• National Association of Diaper Services ( www.diapernet.org )
• * EPA, Figures from the year 1997 ( www.epa.gov )

Bottles:

Plastic bottles may contain a chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA), which can leach when heated.* BPA is a hormone disruptor, which mimics estrogen and could potentially cause an array of health issues.

To be cautious, try using bottles free of Bisphenol-A, such as Born Free, www.newbornfree.com which sells bottles, nipples, and sippy cups. You may also wish to consider using glass bottles such as Evenflo glass bottles. www.evenflo.com

To Learn more About Bottles:

• Healthy Child, Healthy World ( www.healthychild.org )
• Toxic Nation ( www.toxicnation.ca )
• Center for Health, Environment and Justice ( www.chej.org )
• * Center for Health, Environment and Justice ( www.chej.org )
  

© 2008 Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes
The Art of Everyday Living®