All Natural Mommies

Cloth Diapering

Diapering, in the olden day really was such a hassle; mothers had no choice but to use cloth diapers often prefolds, sharp pins that were hard to control, and annoying often-leaky covers. Then in 1949 George M. Schroder invented the first ever-disposable diapers and most mothers thought it was a miracle. In 2004, studies showed about 80% of babies are being put in disposable diapers. But are disposable diapers better for our children?

First, figure out about how many diapers you use each week and then multiply that number by 52. Then, the next time you go to buy diapers, look at how much they cost. You will probably find out that you’re spending a lot more money than you might think. The average parent spends two to three thousand dollars diapering their child up to age three. Now go look at the cost of cloth diapers. Sure, they’re a little more expensive up front, but you don’t have to buy them every week at the grocery store. Cloth diapers do require the added expense of doing extra laundry every week, however honestly that still doesn’t compare to the cost of disposable diapers.

Now, go back to the number of diapers you calculated earlier and multiply that by how many other people in the world use disposable diapers every year. Pretty big number isn’t it? In the U.S. alone, 18 billion diapers are thrown into landfills each and every year. Not only do these diapers take up tons of space, they are not biodegradable. In addition, these diapers are just sitting there full of hazardous waste. Urine and feces (which if you READ the side of each bag of disposable diapers, SHOULD be cleaned OFF the diaper before they are thrown away- know anyone that does that, I don’t) can contain harmful bacteria; which can work their way into the environment and even your water supply. Sure, animals go to the bathroom in the wild, but all the animals in an area don’t “go” in one place.

When I was a baby, my mom used cloth diapers. Not because they were cheaper or environmentally friendly, but because whenever she used disposable diapers I would break out in a horrible, bleeding rash. Often, it seems, if your child does suffer from diaper rash, you may find that some of your child’s diaper rash is actually caused by the irritation from plastic diapers. Even if your kids aren’t allergic, diapers contain toxic chemicals including Dioxin, which can cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, skin diseases, and genetic disorders. And you know those absorbent crystals you see when you rip open up a diaper? Those are the very same chemicals that they removed years ago from tampons because they were linked with toxic shock syndrome in women. Sure, the chances these chemicals might harm your child is low, but why risk it?

Some moms choose disposables because they think cloth diapers are annoying and inconvenient. What they don’t realize is that cloth diapers have changed since we were kids. Diaper pins have been replaced with convenient snappies, Velcro-like materials (Velcro itself isn’t flexible enough), and/or snaps. If you don’t like those annoying plastic covers, you can get wool or fleece covers; they are especially fun because you can find them in great colors and patterns. Wool and fleece is also more comfortable than plastic and work just as well, or better. If you just like the convenience of disposable diapers, there are now all in one cloth diapers that require no folding, no liners, and can just be thrown straight in the wash.

Plus, cloth diapers now come in so many fun colors and prints!  It’s very easy to become addicted to finding new, beautiful diapers to add your child’s stash.

So, why not save the environment, save some cash, and help your kids stay healthy by using good old, dependable cloth diapers?

All Natural Mommies is proud to carry a selection of cloth diapers from Drybees and WAHMies.  These cloth diapers are lovingly made in the USA by caring mamas. 

Enjoy your shopping!

This week the AMA is expected to vote on a resolution that will develop new billing codes that will label some patients as “non-compliant.”  According to the resolution:

“The stress of dealing with ungrateful patients is adding to the stress of physicians leading to decreased physician satisfaction.”  

Just who is to decide if a patient is being ungrateful?  If you request a second opinion, are you being ungrateful?  If you ask your doctor multiple questions during a visit, are you being ungrateful?  What about a laboring couple who want a natural birth, but the doctor wants to push interventions? 

Whatever happened to having a say in your own medical care?  The AMA would prefer we take their word for everything and not do our own research.  No question them at all?  Just roll over and play dead so our insurance companies (if we’re lucky enough to have coverage at all) will pay the bill.

Here’s the official response from ICAN - International Ceasarean Awareness Network.  They say it much better than I can.  Even if you’re not in the birth field, or are not planning to have a baby soon, you should still be very concerned about this proposed resolution.

http://www.ican-online.org/

President Obama is scheduled to speak to the AMA tomorrow.  Let’s pray that he can talk some sense into this group of self-serving individuals.  They do not have the patients’ best interest in my - only their own pocketbooks. 

Here’s a letter from one sensible doctor about the AMA stance on the proposed healthcare reform.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-chris-mccoy/dear-ama-i-quit_b_214318.html

Hopefully, there are more doctors like Dr. McCoy than doctors who will vote for this non-complant resolution.

There is no doubt that we need healthcare reform in America.  Every family has a story about healthcare costs, loss of coverage, or refused coverage.  If you don’t, you’re one of the lucky few with great insurance. 

President Obama has been committed to reforming healthcare.  This Monday, he’ll be addressing the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates as part of the administrations efforts to legislate healthcare.   The AMA has pledged to decrease the annual healthcare spending growth rate by 1.5 percentage points, or about $2 trillion dollars over the next decade.

Part of this commitment, is to work to curb “overuse” of some services, including caesarean sections.  That is exciting news.  Parents who’ve strived for a natural birth, have often run into a cascade of interventions heading full-force towards a caesarean birth.  These mamas often have to cajole and argue to get the birth they want.  If these doctors are truly committed to reducing the use of caesareans, they’ll need to move towards supporting more natural labor/birth practices!  At least, that’s my hope. 

The healthcare system needs to provide more information on caesareans and their risks.  More and more women with little or no risk-factors have been choosing scheduled c-sections for convenience, fear of pain(?), bodily changes, and other reasons.  I’m almost certain that they have received very little information from their OB about the risk and consequences of having major abdominal surgery, not to mention the effects on the infant. 

This is not to say that all caesareans are bad.  Of course, there are valid medical reasons and the health of the mother and baby should always be the first priority.   But if it’s possible for doctors to reduce the instance of surgery, I’m all for it.

Here’s hoping President Obama will make a difference in the minds of these doctors.

The full story is here at the Chicago Tribune.

http://natural-news.all-natural-mommies.com/wp-login.php