Green Mama?

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I know, I know... believe me, I thought so, too. But if I don't want to put 3 years of disposable diapers in a landfill for 500 years, shouldn't I be concerned also about how many feminine products I'd be putting in that landfill over a lifetime? The wonderful women on the gDiapers Yahoo group introduced me to the concept, and when they spoke of some of the benefits, I have to admit, they got my attention. Many women claim they have fewer cramps, less bleeding, and a shorter period after switching to cloth pads or cups. My cramps were worse after the birth of my second child, so I decided it was worth a try. I have one thing to say -- I'll never go back! I personally have no more cramping at all, and my flow is lighter as well. And we all know that no matter what the ad execs say, disposable pads just aren't that comfortable!

There many reasons to make the switch besides personal comfort:

1. Disposable pads are made from paper, which requires chopping down trees.
2. This paper is then bleached, which is not good for the environment, and is said to release dioxins (which are carcinogenic) and plastics (more chemicals). And we place this in the most sensitive area of our body and wonder when we get irriated?
3. Think about how much money you spend over the years on disposable products... most women spend over $6000 over the course of their lifetime (on something that gets flushed or left in a landfill for 500 years). While cloth pads cost more up front, they can be used for as many as 10 years or more.
4. Cloth pads are way more fun!!! Not only are the fabrics way better for your body, they are colorful and fun, way better than boring, icky white! :)

Here are some of my favorite sites, some for the info and some for the products:
http://www.ecomenses.com/
http://www.newmoonpads.com/
http://hyenacart.com/DagnysPromise/
For reviews of cloth pads and other menstrual products, visit http://clothpadreviews.makeforum.org/.

Find a listing of cloth pad brands around the world at
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/.

Hyena Cart and Etsy are great resources for all things homemade, not just pads. :)