The only extra steps involved in using cloth diapers vs. paper diapers is in the washing of the cloth diapers. If it’s a WET diaper, just put the cloth diaper in a diaper pail or diaper bag. Done – easy peasy (it’s really much easier than those crazy diaper cocooning contraptions!) For a POOPY diaper just shake the solids into the toilet (quick and easy – no need to dunk, swirl or scrub!) and put the diaper in the diaper pail.  That wasn’t all that bad was it?

Are you aware that when you use paper diapers you are supposed to dispose of the POOP in the toilet so that the waste can be properly treated? NO kidding – human feces is NOT supposed to end up in our landfills!

Here’s the proof:

Why?

1975 The EPA warns that rainwater washing through dumps may carry viruses–which can live in compacted solid waste for up to two weeks–into underground streams, and from there into public and private water supplies. Improved sanitation during this century has made rare the diseases associated with direct contact with raw sewage: hepatitis A, shigella. salmonellosis, amebiasis, and typhoid. However, the University of Oregon Survival Center notes that outbreaks of shigella, salmonellosis and hepatitis A are now more common in hospitals and daycare centers. The World Health Organization has called for an end to the inclusion of urine and fecal matter in solid waste. (taken from: Mothering,  Jan-Feb, 2003  by Laura Schmitt)

If you are a paper diaper user, read the print on any package of paper diapers. I know that most people don’t (or won’t!) do this, however, if you do flush the POOP down the toilet after change and before putting a paper diaper in the garbage, you are using the same steps involved with changing a cloth diaper.

I know what you are thinking, not all POOP can be dumped! Many newborn babies (and older) and/or breastfed babies are notorious for having runny POOPS.  Regardless you have to clean/wipe your baby, it doesn’t matter whether they are in paper or cloth diapers. If you are cloth diapering a baby with messy POOPS, there is an extra step with cloth diapers –> either remove your disposable diaper liner and flush down the toilet  or, take that messy diaper to the toilet and SPRAY! A diaper sprayer is easy to use, inexpensive and it’s kind of FUN!

There is no need to dunk, scrape or swish a diaper in the toilet or touch ANY POOP. You’ll hold your diaper by a clean corner over the toilet and spray it clean (it really works!), then just put it into the diaper pail that you’ve placed conveniently beside the toilet. EASY!