Lifting Another Load off Mother Earth

This is to be my first, and very windy contribution to the Green Trust site, but a subject I feel very strongly about. As a mother I feel it is my obligation to point out to the world an often overlooked waste of non-renewable resources- Diapers. "But I use cloth!" You may say, and that is a very noble and noteworthy effort. I however suggest one step higher- No diapers. Period. *Gasp* Now, now, Ladies and Gents!Just calm down and bear with me for a moment...allow me to make a case for this unconventional (yet traditional in other countries) method called "Elimination Communication" in Western circles, and simply a way of life in others. First, some studies suggest that 82,000 tons of plastic and 1.8 million tons of wood pulp are used each year in making "disposable" diapers. (Which by the way create about 2.7 million tons of waste annually, costing over $300 million annually to discard the "disposables".) Having said this, cloth is a much eco-friendlier choice. If however, the loads of laundry don't appeal to you, and making your child sport a "wearable toilet" doesn't sit well then there is another more sanitary and gentle (to baby and earth) option. For those of you unfamiliar with this territory, let me give you a briefing. Infants are taught from birth to ignore their bodies. Even a newborn will cry when soiled, and if watched, will indeed give a signal that he/she is using the restroom such as a wiggle or grunt. We as "modern parents" teach our child for 2 years (give or take) to ignore such signals and use the restroom on themselves,then spend a frustrating year or so trying to get them to un-learn this nasty and unhygenic habit. By paying attention to your child's "cues" you can quickly and easily show baby that peeing in a potty or bowl is much more attractive. My 9 month old does not wear diapers, she wears underwear- it's not just a novel idea, but a real option. In places such as India, children are not forced to soil themselves. We live in a society that takes their dog out to pee, but leaves a child to sit in it! With a little bit of effort (though much less than "potty training" a busy toddler) you too can have your baby (not to mention Mother Earth) diaper free!For more info, check out Diaper Free! @ http://www.diaperfreebaby.org