Changing the World, a Diaper at a Time
By Laura Ulrich
Printed in Tompkin's Weekly on January 7, 2008
Maggie Gyllenhaal uses them, and so does Brad Paisley. Madonna has been spotted changing one in
public, and Dave Matthews recently took the mic at a concert to announce that he uses them, too. Cloth
diapers — if you haven’t seen them lately, they’re probably not what you’re picturing. Today’s version are
high-tech, easy to use, and come in an array of fabrics, styles, and choices. There’s growing evidence that
they have health benefits for babies, and most people agree they’re easier on the environment than their
disposable counterparts. Parents (average ones as well as celebrities) are taking notice, turning cloth
diapering into a growing trend.
And now, Tompkins County parents who want to use cloth have a new resource. In December, Jillian’s
Drawers, a leading international online retailer of cloth diapering products, opened a storefront in Ithaca.
The Cayuga Street shop carries the same broad selection of cloth diapers and accessories offered at
jilliansdrawers.com, and also stocks breastfeeding items, baby slings and carriers, wooden toys, and other
products to support a “natural parenting” lifestyle.
Owner Mandi Meidlinger launched her online business two years ago while living in Michigan. It quickly
expanded beyond her expectations, with orders arriving from across the U.S. and as far away as France,
Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia. When she moved to Ithaca to attend Cornell, she opened a storefront so
she could connect with customers in person. “When it comes to cloth diapering, moms need to learn from
other moms, and I love being part of that,” she says.
Meidlinger says starting parents on the road to cloth diapering often involves overcoming misconceptions.
“Cloth diapering isn’t nearly as hard as people think,” she says. “It’s completely changed from a generation
ago. The first diaper I show to new customers is called the ‘bumGenius.’ It has a soft, waterproof cover with
a fleece lining that keeps the baby dry, and it goes on just like a disposable. People are amazed at how easy
it is.”
Another option involves using traditional cloth diapers under a new generation of covers that fasten with
flexible Velcro tabs or snaps, eliminating the need for pins. “They’re breathable, stretchy, and comfortable for
baby,” Meidlinger says. “They’re also gorgeous and fun!”
Meidlinger says her customers choose cloth for environmental, health, and financial reasons. Besides the
obvious environmental hazard of mountains of plastic being thrown in the trash, many parents are
concerned about growing evidence that links chemicals in disposables to asthma, cancer, and other
illnesses. To many parents’ surprise, cloth diapers also keep skin healthier and reduce rashes, Meidlinger
says.
The cost for today’s cloth diapers runs the gamut, but no matter which option parents choose, they’ll likely
spend less than they would for disposables. Each bumGenius diaper, for example, costs $16.95, but since
they can be adjusted for any size baby, there’s no need to buy new diapers as the child grows. “For $400,
you can buy all the diapers you’ll ever need,” Meidlinger says. “With traditional diapers and covers, you can
spend even less. Using cloth will save anywhere from $500 to $1,200 per child.”
Meidlinger buys products manufactured almost exclusively by other work-at-home moms. Most of her
suppliers started out sewing diapers in their homes while taking care of their children, and as their
businesses grew into retail operations, they hired other moms and encouraged them to bring their babies to
work.
It’s a business model Meidlinger believes in and lives — employees are encouraged to bring their children
to work, and her own daughter, Jillian, is frequently at her side while she processes orders and helps
customers. Keeping parents and children close together is one tenet of what Meidlinger calls “natural
parenting,” a philosophy that also drives her choices about the products she sells. She offers breastfeeding
items and attire, baby slings and carriers, and wooden toys. Made in Germany, the toys conform to stricter
European safety guidelines and are free of lead paint. Stainless steel water bottles and sippy cups made by
Klean Kanteen, a company that markets eco-friendly drinking containers, are another big seller, as are baby
and toddler shoes made from a soft, slip-proof materials ideal for developing feet.
To make it onto Meidlinger’s shelves, a product must be safe, natural, durable, and appealing — and she
acknowledges that in some cases, that means parents could get a cheaper version elsewhere. Does that
mean only Hollywood parents can afford to avoid questionable chemicals, be kind to the environment, and
protect their kids from risks?
No, says Meidlinger. For her, natural parenting is about long-term investments, and she believes there are
ways for parents with average paychecks to make it work. “Cloth diapers are a great example,” she says.
“They may cost more initially, but they’ll save you money in the long run. Another key is simply buying less—
have one stainless steel sippy cup instead of five plastic ones.”
Concentrating your efforts on a few critical areas instead of trying to change everything at once also helps,
as does buying products that have multiple uses and last through several developmental stages. “The Ergo
baby carrier we sell is a good example,” Meidlinger says. “It works for infants, and you’ll still be using it when
your child is three. We try to keep these ideas in mind when we choose the products we carry.”
In addition to products, Jillian’s Drawers will offer classes to help parents connect and provide hands-on
help with cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and babywearing.
“It’s all part of passing knowledge on from one parent to the next,” she says. “We want to be more than a
new store. We want to be a resource and a part of the parenting community.”
Jillian’s Drawers is located in Ithaca at 112 N. Cayuga St. in Ithaca, and on the Web at www.jilliansdrawers.
com.
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