I wasn’t always sold on cloth diapers. In fact, I remember Stephen and I mutually agreeing when I was pregnant that is was gross. But that’s the funny thing about having a newborn, some of those preconceived notions you had before go straight out the window. As it would turn out, cloth diapers aren’t gross…babies are just little pooping machines. When all is said and done, I am really glad I made the dive into cloth diapers.
We use BumGenius pockets and have a couple All-in-Ones (AIO)
too. If you are looking to getting into CDing, AIOs are the closest to
disposables. Pockets, on the other hand, have a shell and an inside lining that
is stuffed into the diaper. It comes with additional padding to make it better for newborns or overnight. But really there are so
many types out there and it’s best to sample a few different brands.
One thing I wish someone had told me sooner though is it IS
work. I know a lot of parents that CD try to sugarcoat it and that’s so stupid.
Yes, you will have to wash them regularly and it can be a bit of a hassle. And don’t forget stripping the
diapers, which you will have to do more often if you have hard water (like we
do) otherwise you get a build up that can cause rashes.
Is it worth it though? To me, yes. Absolutely.
From the standpoint of frugality, you end up saving yourself
a lot of money. Some folks balk at
paying $300 for a full stash of cloth diapers but compare that to the cost of
disposable diapers and you end up recovering that money pretty quick. And it
works out even better for families that have more than one child use them.
And of course, from the environmental standpoint cloth
diapers are a great alternative to disposables that go straight to landfills
where they don’t degrade (sposies have only been around since the 50's so scientists aren't sure when they degrade). It is estimated that 20 billion diapers are put in
landfills each year. Now THAT is gross. Not to mention it takes 200,000 trees
to manufacture disposable diapers in the US.
But I know cloth diapering isn’t for everyone, especially if
you have a hard enough time just doing your regular laundry or can’t afford the
start up costs. But it’s definitely something to consider! There are so many
diaper swaps and groups (both local and online) that you can find a variety of
cloth diapers super cheap or even free. Or if you are crafty you can make
‘em (this is on my green mama bucket list) by getting a template off etsie.
If you are still not sold on cloth diapers there are
healthier alternatives to the traditional disposable diapers. Like 7th Generation diapers which you can find in a lot of stores like Target or Whole
Foods (and you can even occasionally get them on sale). I personally haven’t
used these but I know a lot of parents swear by them.
My go-to disposables that we use when cloth diapers aren’t
as feasible are Earth’s Best TenderCare. They are sometimes a little bit harder to find
but I think most Babies R’ Us sells them. In the past, when Rosie went to
daycare I used these because they are chlorine-free and made without harsh
chemicals. I found it easiest to buy them through Amazon in bulk (thanks for
free 2-day shipping, Amazon Prime!).
Diaper Sprayers a few facts: No Diaper Sprayer on the market was manufactured for that purpose; they are all originally Hand Held Bidet Sprayers. That is why so many people are complaining about their sprayers breaking, because they were not made to handle the abuse. You can save money and buy a cheap plastic sprayer and then need to buy another one soon or you can get a Stainless Steel Sprayer at www.bathroomsprayers.com for a little more that will last, it comes with a 5 year warranty. And don't forget, using it as a Hand Bidet means you will save money on toilet paper, everyday....forever....Just a thought
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