Why Cloth
Here are several reasons to use cloth:
Diaper Rash
Our daughter developed a rash that lasted for several weeks. We tried different kinds of ointments, but nothing would make it go away. The rash cleared up immediately after we switched to cloth diapers!
Chemicals
Most disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate. That's the gel pellets that swell up and absorb the waste. They also contain dioxins, which are believed to cause some very serious diseases. We did not want those chemicals next to our baby's bottom.
Cost
Cloth diapers cost about $1,500 to $2,000 less per child than disposables, even when you include the cost of washing. One set of cloth diapers can usually be used on more than one child, which saves even more.
Convenience
We like being able to wash the diapers when we're low, rather than having to run to the store to buy more disposables.
Trash
Each child using disposables adds over two tons of non-biodegradable waste to the dumps, and we didn't want to be part of that.
You can easily see why cloth diapers are really far better than disposables.