August 10, 2014 - Life with Gremlins

Are Disposable Diapers Safe? The Real Unbiased Facts

There’s a great deal of debate between cloth diaper and disposable diapers advocates. As a mother who has made the personal choice to use disposable diapers I was a bit insulted when cloth-using parents suggested I was harming my baby’s health. I set out to make this an unbiased look at the health issues associated with diapers, however when you look at the disposable-cloth diaper debate most the stones are thrown at one side. This article will still be an unbiased look. It will still present the actual studied, confirmed facts on each claim made, unfortunately since most the claims are made from the cloth diaper side it may seem as if this article is biased and defending disposable diapers. On the contrary this article is meant to remove propaganda and fear tactics and provide parents with the facts so they can decide which type of diapers to use on their own based on those facts alone without being convinced a decision based on personal preference could negatively affect their baby’s health, whichever diaper that decision leads them to.

Health risk claims for Cloth and Disposable Diapers:

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers contain dioxin.
This health risk claim does contain some truth. It is not untrue that disposable diapers contain trace amounts of dioxin. Dioxin is a toxin produced during the paper-bleaching process that can have negative effects on reproductive, developmental, and immune function as well as increases the risk of cancer. The usually unmentioned truth to this disposable diaper health risk is that dioxin is present in a great deal of sanitary items such as tampons and upwards of 95% of human exposure is through food not diapers, tampons, or other items containing trace amounts. Furthermore studies performed on cotton cloth diapers produced even higher trace levels of dioxin than disposables. In the end, levels in both cases were not significant enough to contribute to dioxin exposure or to create long-term health effects.

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers contain Tributyltin (TBT).
Tributyltin was found in the year 2000 in Pampers Baby Dry, Paul Hartmann Company’s Fixies Ultra Dry, and Ledysan Spa’s United Colours of Benetton Junior unisex disposable diapers. No other brands are known or mentioned to contain tributyln which is a hormonal pollutant that can cause health issues in humans. In 2001, the Institute of Textile Technology reported that there were no health risks to babies from levels of tributyltin present in these brands.

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate.
Sodium polyacrylate is a type of super-absorbent polymer (the gel like substance you may see in a disposable diaper when extremely wet) used to make disposable diapers hold more liquid without leaking. Sodium polyacrylate was previous removed from tampons due to causing a bacterial illness called toxic shock syndrome. However, toxic shock syndrome was caused by sodium polyacrylate being placed within the body for extended time periods. External exposure such as that in diapers is not known to cause any health issues. This is because toxic shock could be prevented even in tampon use with regular replacement. Sodium Polyacrylate simply creates a breeding ground for bacteria. As long as disposable diapers are changed soon after becoming dirty no more risk is present than with that of a cloth diaper.

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers overheat the genitals of baby boys.
Studies have confirmed that higher temperatures of the scrotum can decrease sperm count and may increase the risk of testicular cancer, however studies also show that cloth diapers used with the usual protective coating created the same temperatures as disposable diapers. In both cases, these temperatures did not exceed maximum scrotal temperatures and are no worse than an adult wearing underwear and pants. The exception was in boys that had soiled themselves and were not changed quickly.

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers cause an increased occurrence of diaper rash in infants.
This is actually a disposable diaper myth, studies done in 2006 actually showed that disposables decrease the risk of diaper rash. Claims that cloth and disposables cause diaper rash at an equal rate are also unsupported. Rates of diaper rash were found as follows with the different types of diapers: cloth with plastic outer cover 60%, cellulose disposables 39%, absorbent gel disposables 29%, absorbent gel disposables with breathable covers 13%. Diaper rash percentiles for uncovered cloth diapers were not presented. Rates of diaper rash, in any case, can be reduced with frequent and prompt changing.

Health risk claim: Cloth diapers are unsanitary and can cause infections.
I was unable to find any supported sources on either side of this issue which leaves me to believe there have been none. Anyone who knows of any (actual studies I do not want cloth diaper supporting pages with no citation, etc.) please leave them in the comment section. The closest “study” found that cloth diapers after being washed properly had no more bacteria than other clothing we place on our babies every day. I am inclined to agree, however this article is about fact not belief so this claim will be left in “unknown” status.

Health risk claim: Disposable diapers cause asthma.
There was indeed a study done in 1999 that confirmed that mice showed more extreme asthma like symptoms when exposed to disposable diapers. (It should be noted cloth diapers also presented “small changes.”) Russ Rader (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Spokesman) states that these results have yet to be seen in humans. It was said the study was being sent to a toxicologist but no newer information can be found. Previous tests on torn open disposables with the inner gel layers did not produce respiratory or skin issues. The diapers were found to be safe.

It’s important that those trying to use facts to support their choice in diaper remember that finding a website that “says so” does not prove something to be true. This article makes an attempt at finding actual scientific studies and facts presented by reliable unbiased sources to support health claims against diapers. In the end, no validated health claims can be found leaving a parent’s choice in diaper to be purely personal choice once again supporting my favorite motto, “The biggest myth in parenting is that there is a right or wrong way to do it.”

I Spank My Toddlers and I’m Still a Great Mom: This is How

Surprisingly, of all the hotly debated parenting topics, spanking takes the cake. It’s not very good cake either. The fact is, while both sides may have scientific sprinkles on their piece, neither side has enough. Parents, non-parents, and the bakers themselves could argue until they were sick, but in the end, no one would be “right,” in the justified, 100%, indisputable way required to call someone else a bad parent, and not just end up sounding like an ass. Personally, when my cake doesn’t have enough sprinkles, I opt for a brownie. OK, maybe I’m just hungry and you can forget the baked-goods analogy here, but the point is, I spank, and I’m still an awesome mom with remarkable kids.

This is how.

Finding a middle ground:

It’s beyond me why in regards to spanking parents feel you must always spank or you must never ever spank, as if you may spontaneously combust if you veer from the typical disciplinary styles some likely over-priced parenting book presents. I spank my toddlers, just like my parents did me, but not as a regular form of discipline. Spanking is reserved for misdeeds that could result in injury or death to my children or someone else. Spanking means this is serious, you-don’t-do-that-ever-again business. My kids know if they are getting spanked, what they did was not OK in any way, shape or form, ever. They are never spanked without explanation. All forms of discipline come with a verbal conversation about what was done, and why it was wrong. Spanking is never hard enough to leave physical marks, and always done with the hand. It’s shock factor, not pain.

Why it’s good to be the middle mom or dad:

The advantage of playing the middle man is you get the best of both sides — you get all sprinkles.

The main issue with never spanking is what are you going to do when your toddler decides time-outs don’t matter, challenges your authority and starts doing things more dangerous than just not picking up his/her toys? When he/she is running into the street or repeatedly hits a playmate in the face with a toy on purpose? You don’t have a last resort, a harmless way to shock-the-holy-living-misbehaving out of your toddler. Those who don’t ever choose to show their children they are, in fact, the boss, may find they aren’t always the boss. In most cases, after you’ve spanked once, the mere threat can stop dangerous behavior.

The main issue with always spanking, for everything from not eating at dinner to playing with knives, is your child may learn violence is the answer to all life’s problems. He/she may begin to believe the person that hits the hardest makes the rules and might just start hitting back. Worse, by overusing spanking, you eliminate its effectiveness. If you had cake every single day, cake would no longer be a treat. In the same sense, if you spank all the time, it’s routine, ordinary, and no longer shocking.

In either case, spanking older children is unnecessary. Toddlers sometimes need shock-value discipline. They lack the reasoning skills and memory to understand and remember when something is dangerous; the spanking stands as a strong deterrent, while the explanation builds the know-how, which later prevents the act when the child is older.

It’s also important to note that there is a big difference between spanking and abuse.

Your Toddler Drank Alcohol: What Now?

Whether just a beer, a glass of wine, or vodka-infused hot cocoa, like many adults, I enjoy a drink from time to time. I also have four kids—four kids who were once very curious, grabby toddlers with impressive ingenuity. Much like everything in our home they were not supposed to have, they insisted on attempting to pilfer alcoholic beverages. I am ashamed to admit at least one of them succeeded in stealing a sip, and that clever lad is far from the first child to do so.

If you type something along the lines of, “toddler drank alcohol” or some variation thereof into a search engine online, you’ll find I am far from the only parent that has found themselves with a booze-swiping toddler. Okay, we’ve established it happens. What do you do if it happens to you?

First consideration: what type of alcohol did your toddler drink, and how much?

As you likely know, all alcohol marketed for sale has an alcohol percentage printed on the packaging. Your average beer, for example, is somewhere around 4 to 6 percent, whereas your average vodka is more like 30 to 35 percent. Note that if there is no percentage on the packaging, the alcohol content is below 5 percent. If your toddler managed to get a small amount of any alcohol, while it’s not going to win you a parenting award, it’s harmless. Now, if the quantity was a little more than a sip, or it was something like Everclear with very high alcohol content, you could have a problem.

Watch for signs of intoxication or seek medical attention

In a small child, signs of intoxication will show fairly quickly. While my children have never managed to drink enough to get that far, signs would be similar to those seen in adults, things such as impaired balance, flushed appearance, and confusion. In the event symptoms are mild, offer plenty of water and food, and don’t let it happen again. You may call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 if in doubt.

If more serious signs of intoxication are present, which could indicate alcohol poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. These may include altered pulse or breathing, vomiting, a dramatic drop in body temperature, unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, or seizure.

What are the risks of alcohol exposure in toddlers?

While an it-happened-once or even twice slip-up isn’t likely to cause harm unless your child chugged a bottle, continued exposure to alcohol at a young age can have a long list of very nasty health effects. That may include, among other issues, reduced brain growth or damage leading to developmental delays and reduced intelligence, memory loss, liver and digestive tract damage, as well as damage to the lining of the stomach and vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, which may lead to other health issues and impaired growth.

How can you prevent your toddler from getting a hold of booze again?

When drinking, try to use containers that can be closed and are difficult for your toddler to open. Keep the mass of your alcohol up high and locked up — yes, this means you should get a glass rather than sipping from the bottle. Keep your capped-cup up high. For example, a high shelf is a better choice than a coffee table.

Never leave partially finished drinks lying about. As a rule, do a quick walk-through after a date night or adult gathering to check for abandoned drinks.

Teach your toddler that mommy/daddy drinks are dangerous—much like you would the stove being hot. Avoid trying to explain that alcohol is not for children. Instead, stick to the drinks simply being a dangerous no-no. Using the same container for all of your drinks can help in this department as you can teach your child *that* cup is a no-no. You can explain how alcohol is for adults and how to drink in a healthy way when your child is older. This information is wasted on and may confuse a toddler.

If you’ve just joined the ranks of parents who freaked out just a bit when they realized their child drank a bit of booze, understand that it does happen, it’s not the end of the world, and it doesn’t make you a bad parent—just try not to let it happen again.

Has your toddler ever stolen a sip of your alcoholic drink?