What do Dads really think about using cloth diapers? You may be surprised - Dads like cloth diapering! 40 cloth diapering Dads took the time to respond to a survey posted at on-line cloth diaper user groups. Their thoughtful answers demonstrate both fathers' commitment to doing what's best for their babies and helps us understand some of the elements that make cloth diapering fulfilling to parents everywhere.

'Baby's health' was the most important factor given by 87% of cloth diapering Dads for using cloth diapers. The second critical factor diapering Dads gave was 'ease of use' (47%) with 'cost' (25%) and 'environmental concerns' (25%) coming in as distant runner-ups.

Are cloth diapering Dads' correct in assuming that cloth diapering is better for their babies? You betcha. Using cloth diapers usually results in less frequent and less severe diaper rashes. And not only do cloth diapered babies suffer fewer problems with diaper rash but cloth diapered babies also avoid exposure to fumes out-gassed by the plastics and chemicals in disposable diapers. Disposable diaper use can result in higher temperatures within the diaper while the natural fibers associated with cloth diapering allow beneficial air circulation and cooler, healthier bottoms.

Good intentions tend to only carry so far - and while health is a compelling reason to use cloth diapers I doubt Dads or Moms would stick with it if cloth diapering failed to satisfy other needs. The survey asked Dads 'How do you feel about cloth diapering?' One father, Dan Fitzsimmons, responded with a concise and comprehensive summary underlining why so many people prefer cloth diapering: 'I feel good about cloth diapering. Cloth diapers have got to be more comfortable for our baby than plastic and chemical diapers. Also, we can do our little part to slow down the filling up of solid-waste landfills, and we can save money as well." Chris Thomas answered "I like cloth diapers. They make more sense to me than disposables" and Jonathan Weekes replied honestly: "I like the idea because it saves money! I can't say I "enjoy it" but I don't mind using them…as long as my wife does the laundry!"

37 of 40 Dads enthusiastically supported cloth diapering once they tried it, 2 were neutral, and 1 was negative. That's a happy Dad success rate of 92%! Ben Gibbins wrote, "At first, I thought it would be more expensive than disposable diapers and a lot more trouble, but it was not. It just takes time like other things when you have a baby - you do it because you know its better for your baby, the environment and your pocketbook." Glen Fullmer had similar things to say "I've always felt better about cloth diapers than disposables. They seem healthier on the baby's skin and produce less irritation/rashes. They cost less - we've used the same diapers for years - first for our four-year-old and now for our ten-month old."

Dads found that cloth diapering was easier than they expected. Nearly 80% of all respondents had expected cloth diapering to be more of a chore than it turned out to be. When asked " Is using cloth diapers easier than you imagined it would be? How and why?" Robert Chester responded "Yes, much. I pictured the pinning, etc. I never knew they made diapers that were so easy to use." Cassidy Peddler had a lot to say in response to this question "It's much easier than I imagined it would be. When we first had our daughter I hadn't even thought about cloth diapers, I just figured we would use disposables because that was really all I knew and what was normal. Then my wife and I started looking at them and the first thing I thought was "GROSS, diapers that you use over and over again." But then once we started using them I found that it was in fact very easy to do and much healthier for babies and the environment. Washing them is just like doing a load of normal laundry and the cleanup is nothing compared to the benefits. Besides, you are supposed to scrape out disposable diapers before you throw them away anyway. That was something I did not know."

The saying "Perception is reality' really applies to cloth diapering. Cloth diapers are commonly perceived as being old fashioned, requiring yucky toilet dunking and wringing, lots of work to use. So we asked Dads if cloth diapering was easier than they had expected - and why. Chris Byrom's answer clearly shows how the experience of cloth diapering is so much different than what most people expect: "I really didn't know what to expect before we researched it. At one point, I heard about a diaper pail full of liquid, and was about to use the rare veto. But liquid pails aren't required, and washing diapers out in the toilet is not required. With the diapers we have (almost entirely Fuzzi Bunz) we throw them into a water-resistant camping bag that sits in a lidded trashcan. When it's full, we carry it to the washing machine and turn it inside out into the washer, throw in the bag, do a cold rinse, add the soap and run a regular cycle. How hard is that?"

A recommendation from a friend is the most trusted referral of all - so we asked Dads if they would recommend cloth diapers to a guy friend who was soon to be a first time father. "No contest. Use cloth buddy. Its better for the kid and you get the added perk of culturally responsible bragging rites" was Max Boward's response. Joseph Sutton answered, "Give it a try. It may be harder initially till you get a rhythm going but so worth it in the end...once you go cloth you never go back to sposies...and if you do there must be a pretty strong reason though I can't think of any!"

And finally, do Dads enjoy using cloth diapers? Jerry Corley's answer spoke directly to this mom's heart... Corley said, "I really enjoy cloth diapers. I use cloth diapers because they are very cute and economical. It helps give a better feeling of attachment." Attachment is the only word I can think of to describe the feeling of love and satisfaction I get from diapering my two children in cute and functional cloth diapers. To know that there are Dads out there who also get gushy seeing their babies in soft, beautiful cloth diapers means that cloth diapering can be so much more than functional - it can be fulfilling - to both Moms and Dads everywhere.