Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Diaperless Babies Seen As Earth-Friendly Solution (Enviro-wacko alert)
CNSNews.com ^ | 4/22/05 | Marc Morano

Posted on 04/25/2005 7:28:34 AM PDT by jalisco555

(CNSNews.com) - As environmentalists celebrate the 34th annual Earth Day, some in the green movement are now advocating "diaper-free" babies to help save the planet.

Citing concerns about plastic disposable diapers clogging landfills and the amount of washing and detergents that cloth diapers require, many environmentalists are taking a page from tribal cultures and seeking to eliminate the use of the baby diapers altogether.

The green movement is now promoting diaperless babies as a "retro, cutting-edge, environmentally friendly scheme" to mothers throughout the industrialized world.

The green movement already has declared war on the modern flush toilet, declaring it an "environmental disaster," and has instead pushed waterless "dry" toilets as an earth-friendly solution.

Former Vice President Al Gore joined the board of a waterless urinal company late last year to further the dry toilet cause and to help avert what many environmentalists believe is a looming international water crisis.

"There is a way to have a baby and NOT use diapers," says one website advocating diaperless babies. Parents are urged to get in tune with their infant's body signals and hold babies over toilets, buckets and shrubbery or any other convenient receptacle when nature calls.

One advocate suggests bringing a "tight-lidded bucket" along to serve as a waste receptacle when mothers take their babies out in public.

'Primitive worship'

But Robert Bidinotto, publisher of ecoNOT.com and a critic of environmentalists, dismisses such notions as "primitive-worship."

"Incredibly, some environmentalists actually prefer that the foul messes we normally capture in diapers and landfills, spill instead onto our linoleum, carpets, and even our children," Bidinotto told CNSNews.com.

Noting many greens' opposition to flush toilets and now baby diapers, Bidinotto said environmentalists' have a "strange affinity for bodily wastes," and he believes they have become "obsessed with toilet issues."

'Be the first in your neighborhood'

Umbra Fisk, advice columnist for Grist Magazine , a major environmental e-publication, has joined the diaperless baby effort.

Responding to a reader's question in the Feb. 12 issue of Grist Magazine about how to handle baby waste in an Earth-friendly manner, Fisk fully endorses the diaper-free movement as a "retro cutting-edge environmentally friendly scheme." Fisk urges parents to "be the first in your neighborhood" to go diaper free.

"People around the world who have no access to diapers manage to raise children, and a small group of parents in diaper-rich countries have decided to follow their lead. Around here, it's called 'elimination communication' or 'diaper-free,'" Fisk wrote.

Fisk argues that changing times mean parents no longer have to change diapers.

"The concept is logical and simple: Infants give recognizable signs of imminent peeing and pooping; it's possible to learn your infant's signs; infant pee isn't frightening; and if you train your kid to ignore their outputs, you'll just have to go back and retrain them when traditional potty-training time arrives," Fisk explained.

Another diaperless baby advocate, who identifies herself as Natec, wrote a how-to manual for prospective mothers of diaperless babies titled, "Elimination Timing: The Solution to the Dirty Diapers War." The manual, which used fictionalized names and characters, describes Natec's motivation to go diaper-free after the birth of her son.

"When David was born, I started to think about the kind of world I was making for him to grow up in. The thought of garbage spewing and sprawling landfills filled me with horror. And right along with this horror were those little mother's helpers, disposable diapers...rotting, but never really going away in all their plastic glory," Natec wrote.

Natec maintains that plastic diapers "can take 500 years to decompose." Natec is not impressed with so-called "biodegradable" diapers, because they "may contain more plastic to compensate for the weakness of their materials."

Although green advocates estimate that diapers account for only between 0.5 to 1.8 percent of landfill space, they nevertheless consider that troubling.

"One percent of billions of tons is worth worrying about. If we don't think about how to address that one percent, which one percent will we address?" asked Richard Dennison, a senior scientist with the Environmental Defense group, as quoted in Natec's how-to manual.

'Evil empire of Western parenting'

Concerns about landfills are not the only reason some parents are going diaperless.

Scott Noelle, editor of the Continuum Concept website and a father, explained why he eventually stopped using diapers on his infant daughter Olivia, in a web essay titled "Going Diaperless."

"In my mind, diapers became the symbol of the Evil Empire of Western Parenting in which babies must suffer to accommodate the needs of their parents' broken-continuum culture: a controlled, sterile, odorless, wall-to-wall carpeted fortress in which to live with the illusion of dominion over nature," wrote Noelle, on the website livingharmony.com.

Despite his concerns, Noelle continued to use diapers on his daughter, despite the fact that he "felt like a monster and a fraud."

Noelle finally chose to go diaperless and looked to traditional cultures for inspiration. "How I longed for a simple, dirt-floored, baby-friendly hut like that of a Yequana family," he wrote.

Natec agrees with Noelle that modern society has a lot to learn from the traditional ways of life.

"[M]any of us have not, until recent years, given credit to the mothering skills of more Earth-centered, i.e. 'primitive" cultures,' she wrote in her how-to manual.

"When you think about it, there have been millions of years of human beings and only a few thousand years with any references to diapers," she added.

But Bidinotto of ecoNOT.com bristles at what he considers the glorification of a "primitive" way of life by diaperless baby advocates.

"These people have no idea what primitive life is really like. Their preferred alternative to today's 'controlled, sterile, odorless' environment is a world of filth and disease, where countless millions died in plagues and epidemics," Bidinotto explained.

Shopping with a diaperless baby

Ingrid Bauer, author of the book "Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene," writes on her website natural-wisdom.com that the key for parents interested in going au natural is parent-infant communication.

"Observation and close bonding interaction help the parent to understand the baby's signals, body language and timing rhythms," Bauer writes in the frequently asked questions section of her website

"Some common signals that indicate a need to pee in a young infant are: squirming, "fussing," tensing the face, frowning or having a look of "inner concentration," she wrote.

"When the baby has to go, the parent holds him or her in a comfortable position over an appropriate toilet place and makes a cueing sound (perhaps a gentle "sss")."

What's the parent of a diaperless baby to do when out shopping? Bauer offers this solution.

"These parents may rely on using public bathrooms, or bring along a container such as a tight -lidded bucket," Bauer wrote.

Bauer calls freedom from diapers "responsive infant-care."

"This gentle and ancient practice is the most common way of caring for a baby's hygiene needs in the non-Western world," she writes.

Bidinotto rejects any notion that industrialized nations should mimic the traditional cultures.

"The only thing that we moderns have to learn from primitive cultures is what they themselves learned. They learned that life is much better with modern conveniences, such as diapers. And in fact, most primitive peoples can't wait to get and use such conveniences," Bidinotto explained.

"But now environmentalists want to sentence millions to the filth and drudgery that our ancestors were so eager to escape," he added.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: baby; bigpileopoop; diaper; earthday; environment; envirowacko; green; greens; itsmellsbadinhere; pagingalgore; pee; shiteverywhere
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200201-215 next last
To: jalisco555
I recommend Spanish Moss. It is readily available in most areas.

I knew a hippie chick some time back in the last century that used it. (No, not MY hippie chick...)

161 posted on 04/25/2005 10:55:03 AM PDT by Syncro (It's biodegradable!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

ha you did that too, it more fun with cloth diapers, cause they hang down to the knees, at least they did on my son.


162 posted on 04/25/2005 10:55:23 AM PDT by markman46
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: tiamat

It's tough to take the baby to the movies. I have a 16 month old. My trick is bring 1 lollipop, 1 husband, 1 grandma, 1 grandpa, 1 auntie, 1 uncle, and to sit near the front. She hops from person to person (so she doesn't get bored), and if she does fuss (pretty rare), DADDY takes her to the lobby. It's worked so far to see Kung Fu Hustle and Miss Congeneality II. Well, late at night when not too many other people are in the audience. :o)


163 posted on 04/25/2005 10:57:20 AM PDT by P-Chan Penny (Watch out or I will send out my attack Chihuahua, Miaka!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 160 | View Replies]

To: jalisco555

These airheads are beyond contempt. I bet the time they spend digging up this crap is on taxpayers' dollars.

If they are that worried about the "world we live in", be my guest; eat your babies' waste and yours too instead of using diapers or toilets. Even better, don't procreate and soil the world!

When Algore gets his head out of the toilet or his a$$ he’ll be screaming: the Repubs are telling us to eat Sh!t. He’ll be absolutely right because that's exactly what this Repub meant to say.


164 posted on 04/25/2005 11:01:35 AM PDT by melancholy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: P-Chan Penny

I am glad that works for you!

Sadly, we had no family close!


165 posted on 04/25/2005 11:01:35 AM PDT by tiamat (Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

To: dc27

It really hurts to sit on a coffee can.


166 posted on 04/25/2005 11:01:50 AM PDT by oyez (¡Qué viva la revolución de Reagan!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: jalisco555
"There is a way to have a baby and NOT use diapers," says one website advocating diaperless babies. Parents are urged to get in tune with their infant's body signals and hold babies over toilets, buckets and shrubbery or any other convenient receptacle when nature calls.

I think next time I have the urge I'm gonna squat next to the " War is Not the Answer" sign down the street. It's all to save the planet....
167 posted on 04/25/2005 11:04:32 AM PDT by Kozak (Anti Shahada: " There is no God named Allah, and Muhammed is his False Prophet")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jalisco555
Reminds me of a story....

When my first daughter was about two years old she had an explosive bowel movement while we driving up a major parkway in NJ.

It spilled out on to everything she was wearing; it was everywhere.

We drove until we reached the nearest rest stop, about 4 or 5 miles. To clean her I had to release her from her car seat and carefully bring her out of the car at an arms length distance. Once out of the car, I held my daughter in the air as my wife peeled away the layers of soiled clothing until she was naked as the day she was born. During the whole process my daughter was screaming, wiggling and crying.

So there I was, for a good minute or two I was standing on the side of a major thoroughfare, with a naked, wiggling, screaming toddler dangling from my out stretched hands.

I was so engrossed in the moment I failed to notice the stir we were causing. Apparently, those motoring by were slowing down to see what was going on. Once they realized our predicament they started to honk their horns while giving us the thumbs up. At that point I couldn't help but laugh; being a parent can be so much fun.
168 posted on 04/25/2005 11:06:19 AM PDT by PigRigger (Send donations to http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: dc27

Just so. Ecch!


169 posted on 04/25/2005 11:07:22 AM PDT by cvq3842
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: tiamat

My In-Laws live right next door. While it may sound like a sticky situation, it's actually pretty nice! It's not for everyone, though. My sister doesn't get along with her in-laws at all and it's really ugly!

:o) Hope you've been able to see some movies lately, though!


170 posted on 04/25/2005 11:07:29 AM PDT by P-Chan Penny (Watch out or I will send out my attack Chihuahua, Miaka!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 165 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom
"I think the greens should start with licking the urine and feces of their babies"

Wait until they start teaching butt-licking in childbirth classes. I wonder how they'll practice it?
171 posted on 04/25/2005 11:07:51 AM PDT by beef (Who Killed Kennewick Man?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: bentfeather
pooper scooper's and plastic bags...

Hmmm...matching sets of doggy-Doo and baybee-Doo scoops 'n Bags ....

wanna $plit marketing rights?????

172 posted on 04/25/2005 11:08:03 AM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck (The Flogging Will Continue Until Morale Improves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: PigRigger

What a great story :o) Thank you for sharing it. It gave me quite the chuckle!


173 posted on 04/25/2005 11:08:29 AM PDT by P-Chan Penny (Watch out or I will send out my attack Chihuahua, Miaka!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: PigRigger

I once peeled my daughter out of her clothes and hosed her off outside rather than let her into the house the way she was....


174 posted on 04/25/2005 11:08:58 AM PDT by tiamat (Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: P-Chan Penny

My in-law situation is not nice.

No movies of late, but nice lunches with my daughter, who has sweet manners and wil be 13 in May!

:-)


175 posted on 04/25/2005 11:11:09 AM PDT by tiamat (Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom
..practicing elimination communication..

So we're literally talking 'bout some serious S**T here?????????

176 posted on 04/25/2005 11:14:30 AM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck (The Flogging Will Continue Until Morale Improves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: P-Chan Penny; tiamat

My daughter is now eleven; I love to watch her cringe when I tell people about that very special moment we shared.


177 posted on 04/25/2005 11:16:45 AM PDT by PigRigger (Send donations to http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: fortunecookie; Petronski
...waterless "dry" toilets ...

Kitty Litter is progress???

178 posted on 04/25/2005 11:23:11 AM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck (The Flogging Will Continue Until Morale Improves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 151 | View Replies]

To: PigRigger
At that point I couldn't help but laugh; being a parent can be so much fun.

LOL. I feel your pain!

179 posted on 04/25/2005 11:42:32 AM PDT by jalisco555 ("Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us and pigs treat us as equals" Winston Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: fatnotlazy
The parents of a friend of mine once went to China. I can remember her father coming home none to pleased

I've been to China in the past year. In the rural sections, it's common for babies to just have a towel flap hanging down in the front and back like a Sumo Wrestler(but naked underneath). In the big cities, it's no different than here.

180 posted on 04/25/2005 12:05:51 PM PDT by Malsua
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200201-215 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson