Cloth Diapers in Hospitals

Vilate, from Nifty Nappy started a Facebook page entitled "We want to see cloth diapers in hospitals!" She has also launced a blog, Cloth in Hospitals. Of course, she has support in numbers on the facebook fan page, but really what does that mean? Nothing, except people support the cause. I think she knew in order to get people to actively do something to change the current status quo, she needed some incentive like a giveaway.
I will admit I wasn't really sure where to start until she posted the telephone game. I started researching and found out my local hospital, Promise Regional Medical Center, was holding a neighborhood meeting on April 20. They were asking for suggestions on what people are looking for in a hospital. I was unable to attend, but here is the email I sent from their contact page (http://promiseregional.com/contactus.aspx).

I am unable to attend your community meeting this evening (April 20), but I have a few questions. When my son was born, he had reactions to the chemicals in the disposable diapers provided by the hospital, as well as several other brands. As a result, we now use cloth diaper exclusively. With my next child, I plan on cloth diapering in the hospital. I was wondering:
• First, do you have policy regarding the use of cloth diapers?
• My biggest concern is that since the hospital does not allow a VBAC and I will have at least, the mandatory 3 day stay, I need to know what my options are as far as laundering the diapers.
• Also do you provide information for options other than disposables in your packets for new parents or in the newborn class you offer? Cloth diapering has changed so much in the last few years and most people don’t know there are alternatives to pins and plastic pants. The Real Diaper Association has some great pamphlets on-line:
- http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/pdf/considercloth.pdf
- http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/pdf/GetReal.pdf

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Thank you!
Sarah J

It has been five days now and I still haven't received a response. To be honest, I didn't really expect to hear anything back from them. Their customer/ patient relations are poor and it is widely known around the area. If it weren't for my OB and the next closest birthing center being about 45 miles away, I would not choose to have my next baby at my local hospital. The nurses at the hospital don't like my doctor because he is a huge activist for his patients. If he doesn't like things, he is going to tell them about it and stay on them until they fix the problem.
I will continue to pursue the use of cloth diapers in my hospital, at least for personal use. I will talk to the nurses in my OB/GYN's office to see if they will at least hand out pamphlets. I will talk to the nurse that holds the birthing class to see if she will hand out information in the new mom packets. Maybe I could talk her into letting me talk about cloth diapers and how they have changed! I also want to find out who teaches the newborn classes because diapering is one of their topics. I am interested to know what they know about cloth or if they even talk about them. I have my doubts, but I am going to try to change their minds!