Cloth diapering parents help set world record

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Erin Bofinger changes the diaper on her son Thijs Bofinger, six-months-old, Saturday morning April 23, 2011 at Belle Up Maternity in Chicago, Illinois. Erin was one of thirty-one people who took part in 'The Great Cloth Diaper Change' international event in hopes of setting a Guinness World Record for cloth diaper change. | Art Vassy~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: June 23, 2011 12:26AM

Forrest Barr set a world record on Saturday for having his diaper changed.

The 4-month-old from Chicago’s Beverly community was given a clean diaper at 11:30 a.m. His dry bottom counts toward a world record for the most cloth diapers ever changed simultaneously.

Nora Barr and her son, Forrest, were happy to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011. The global event sought to promote the environmental and economic benefits of cloth diapers by setting a Guinness World Record.

More than 300 cloth diaper groups gathered across the globe to participate in the record-setting event. Forrest Barr was among 34 babies who had their diapers changed at Belle Up Maternity, 3440 W. 111th St. in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community.

“It is so nice not to have to go to the store to buy (disposable) diapers,” Nora Barr said.

Other cloth diaper groups gathered locally in Elgin, Geneva, Lombard, Naperville, Orland Park, Valparaiso, Ind., and Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. The organizers estimate 10,000 children had their diapers changed as part of the worldwide event, which coincides with Earth Week.

Katrina Pavlik, of Chicago’s Beverly community, was a driving force behind the event in Mount Greenwood. She has two sons and wore a sticker on her blouse touting her 58 months of cloth diapering experience.

“I want South Siders to see that cloth diapers are a viable option for parents,” Pavlik said.

She started Cloth Diaper Chicago in June 2009. The online support group offers parents interested in cloth diapering a forum to ask questions and share solutions. Members of the online community also meet monthly at Belle Up.

Pavlik started the group through Yahoo.com, and membership has grown to 175 parents and caregivers. Cloth Diaper Chicago also has a Facebook page boasting 276 fans.

She recently crunched the numbers, estimating her group has encouraged 300 parents to use cloth diapers. If so, Cloth Diaper Chicago has saved 90,000 pounds of wood, 15,000 pounds of petroleum and 6,000 pounds of chlorine.

Since Pavlik began her local support group, similar groups have sprung up in Northbrook, Lombard, Orland Park and Chicago’s Lincoln Park community.

“Moms have really come out of the woodwork,” she said.

Jessica Fong, Jesus Oviedo and their 7-month-old son Matias Oviedo-Fong were among the crowd on the South Side. They traveled 25 miles from Chicago’s Logan Square community to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011.

Both of the parents were raised wearing cloth diapers and decided to follow suit with their son. Fong said she is surprised how cloth diapers are now considered trendy. Oviedo highlighted the practical side of cloth diapers.

“I just think it’s about not being wasteful and saving money,” Oviedo said.