| Choosing a child care program can be difficult for | | | | Although the regulations covering diaper changes may |
| parents. Many parents feel guilt over leaving their child | | | | differ from state to state, a good diaper changing |
| in the care of others, and worry about the quality of | | | | policy will include: |
| care their child will receive. Added to this dilemma, | | | | - Handwashing of the caregiver both before and after |
| parents may worry that their chosen child care | | | | the diaper change |
| program will not accept cloth diapers, or will use them | | | | - A dedicated space used only for diaper changes |
| reluctantly. | | | | with a hard, washable surface and close to a sink that |
| Being faced with a parent who wants to use cloth | | | | is not used for food preparation |
| diapers can be intimidating for child care providers. | | | | - Hygienic disposal of paper diapers or storage of cloth |
| They may worry that the diapers will be hard to use | | | | diapers in an inaccessible covered container |
| or will leak constantly. They may not know what to do | | | | - Washing and disinfecting the changing surface after |
| with soiled cloth diapers, and be reluctant to approach | | | | every use |
| parents with their concerns. | | | | - Washing the child's hands after the diaper change |
| Children's Health is the Main Concern | | | | - In addition, children should always wear clothing over |
| Parents choose to use cloth diapers for various | | | | diapers |
| reasons. Saving money and environmental concerns | | | | Some programs also use a disposable barrier like a |
| are popular arguments in the cloth vs disposables | | | | waterproof pad under the child's bare bottom and |
| debate, but the foremost concern of most cloth | | | | require that their staff wear disposable gloves during |
| diapering parents is their child's health. | | | | the diaper changes for added protection against fecal |
| Ironically it is the health of children that causes many | | | | contamination. This is not necessary as long as hands |
| child care programs to be reluctant to use cloth | | | | are properly washed and surfaces thoroughly washed |
| diapers. Due to the mass marketing campaigns of | | | | and disinfected. |
| disposable diaper companies and popular | | | | Don't assume that every child care has, or follows, |
| misconceptions, many people feel that cloth diapers | | | | sanitary diaper changing procedures, especially if your |
| are hard to use and unsanitary. However, there is | | | | child care provider is unregulated. I know of |
| evidence to the contrary. According to a study led by | | | | unregulated providers who change diapers on the bed, |
| Family and Health Systems Nursing, School of Nursing, | | | | couch, or floor surrounded by the other children. One |
| Peabody College: "Analysis of the results of | | | | that I know of even asks toddlers to throw other |
| comparisons between cloth and paper diapers | | | | children's soiled diapers into the garbage can! Be sure |
| showed no significant difference in the frequency or | | | | to ask your child care provider what her diaper |
| the intensity of fecal contamination in child day care | | | | changing procedures are. |
| centers." Assuming the child care program's | | | | Cloth Diapers and Child Care CAN Get Along |
| diaper-changing procedures are followed, cloth | | | | Together |
| diapering systems can easily be used along with | | | | Parents who want their child care program to use |
| disposable diapers without compromising a sanitary | | | | cloth should familiarize themselves with their state's |
| environment. | | | | rules and regulations concerning diapering in child care |
| Diaper Changing Procedure is Most Important | | | | settings. Contact your local Resource and Referral |
| According to the National Resource Center for Health | | | | agency or Department of Health and Family for a |
| and Safety in Child Care, a diaper must be "able to | | | | copy of your state's child care regulations. Be sure to |
| contain urine and stool and minimize fecal | | | | choose an easy to use system of cloth diapers, and |
| contamination of the children, caregivers, environmental | | | | teach your child's provider how to use them. Also |
| surfaces, and objects in the child care setting." Both | | | | remember to show appreciation for the child care |
| disposable and cloth diapers meet this standard, | | | | provider's willingness to step out of her comfort zone. |
| although of all the modern cloth diaper systems, the All | | | | A simple "Thank you" can go a long way. |
| in One and Pocket styles may be the best choices to | | | | Child care providers who are faced with a parent |
| fulfill this requirement. In any case, the actual diapering | | | | requesting the use of cloth diapers should familiarize |
| procedure is more vital for the promotion of sanitary | | | | themselves with the cloth diaper system presented by |
| conditions than the actual diaper used. | | | | the parent. Be sure to ask any questions you have, |
| Regulated (licensed or certified) child care programs | | | | and share any concerns or difficulties you may |
| are required to have diaper changing procedures that | | | | experience. Keep an open mind, you may enjoy the |
| fulfill state or county regulations. These regulations are | | | | bright colors and soft feel of cloth diapers in |
| set up to minimize illness, especially those of the small | | | | comparison to the institutional |
| intestine, by promoting healthy and sanitary conditions. | | | | As stated earlier, the type of diaper used is less |
| Because the vast majority of small intestine illnesses in | | | | important than proper diaper changing procedure. Both |
| the child care setting are spread by fecal | | | | cloth and disposable diapers can spread disease to |
| contamination, proper sanitation procedures are | | | | children and child care workers if handled improperly; |
| essential to stop the spread of diseases like Hepatitis | | | | both cloth and disposable diapers can be convenient |
| A, Rotavirus, Giardia, E. Coli, and Shingella. I'm sure we | | | | and hygienic when handled properly. It's easy to see |
| can all agree that we don't want these diseases | | | | that cloth diapers and child care do go together! |
| spread to our children! | | | | |