Your Natural Baby and More: Cloth diapers

Showing posts with label Cloth diapers. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Cloth Diaper Finale! (Part 8)

Purchase Diapers HERE

Part 1 HERE-Exposing the Myths (sanitation)

Part 2 HERE- Exposing the Myths (ease of use)

Part 3 HERE- Exposing the Myths (cost)

Part 4 HERE- Cloth Diaper Benefits (health, environment)

Part 5 HERE- More Benefits (potty training, and more)

Part 6 HERE -Basic info and terminology

Part 7 HERE- Building your cloth diaper stash

Part 8 HERE- Diaper Needs Questionnaire

So now that you have the info on all the different types of cloth diapers, you're probably asking yourself why you even thought about doing it. It can be overwhelming, I know. But I want to give you something I found right before making my first diaper purchase and hopefully it will help you as much as it did me. It was from an Australian website (I wish I could remember which one), so I've modified it a bit to work with our terminology in the states. It's a questionnaire that will clarify which diapers will serve your needs best, so that you have a positive diapering experience. Fun Fact: In Australia, cloth diapers are called Nappies.

What aspect of cloth diapering is most important to you?

The environmental impact and natural fibers next to baby's skin?--All cloth diapers are better for the environment compared to disposables and are much healthier for baby. However, to really take advantage of the environmental benefits you may consider organic, unbleached prefolds, or trim cotton fitteds (like Mother-ease). In addition to cutting down on chemical processing of the hemp or cotton fibers, they dry quickly on the line so you can rest assured that you save quite a bit of energy (and money!).

Cost?--Again, all cloth diapers are going to save you a lot of money. Even if you decide to go with the Cadillac of diaper systems, you will still save $500-$1200. However, to maximize this benefit, going with an economical stash comprised mainly of flatfolds, homemade fitteds, or onesize diapers are all great ways to stretch your dollar. Flatfolds price between $1.50-$2 and save you on energy when line dried. Onesize diapers are great because they adjust to fit your child all through the diapering years so you maximize your investment. While All-in-ones (AIO) are more trim and (some say) more convenient (no stuffing required--the most like a disposable)--they also take much longer to dry. At the same time, they are sized (s,m,l) so you will need to have a complete stash of each size which does raise costs a bit. However, while it may be more expensive initially (having an entire stash of each size)-- a family cloth diapering several children over the years can benefit from diapers with less wear due to the separate sizing.

Designs and Fashion?--There is no doubt that cloth diapers are always going to be better looking than disposables. Go ahead. Make those 'sposie moms jealous. With all kinds of prints and patterns on Covers, and diapers--you can make them your favorite fashion accessories.

How do you plan to dry your diapers? If your plans are to machine dry them, you have a lot of flexibility with what diapers you choose. If you are looking to use a clothesline or a drying rack indoors, you may think about buying pocket diapers, Flatfolds or Prefolds or pocket diapers. With pocket diapers, you remove the stuffing for laundering and drying. This allows for a quicker dry period than say Fitted diapers or All-in-ones which are thicker and therefore have a longer dry time.

Is your partner supportive of using cloth diapers? I can tell you from experience that in the beginning, the learning curve can feel a little scary. It is obviously not the social norm to cloth diaper, and there may be a few "mistakes" while you figure out how to make cloth work for you and your family. If your partner is not supportive and encouraging during these moments, it can be really easy to give up solely to avoid the initial discomfort. But if you can convey to your partner how important it is to have their positive energy to draw from, even if they don't understand why you are doing it, it makes for a MUCH more fulfilling experience. I have known 3 other couples who wanted to cloth diaper (one was the husband!). The only one who quit was the one who didn't have that encouragement from the spouse. It makes a difference. If you know you will need help changing diapers from your partner, parent or babysitter, and they seem on the fence about it--try having a few pocket or all-in-ones around just for them (so they know it is just as easy as disposables). They'll get on board. Real men change cloth diapers--that's what I say: )
I hope this series has been helpful for you. Feel free to send me questions or insights you may have about cloth diapering and natural parenting in general. I'll continue posting things as they come. Next week, Info on BPA, an EC post, and easy diaper laundering techniques and tips.
Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Cloth Diapers--Building Your Stash (Part 7)

Choosing what you put in your diaper stash can be intimidating.

But don't let that stop you from taking the first step! As your baby grows, your routine may change--so don't get stuck on finding the "perfect system". You might constantly be tweeking what of your stash you use at various stages. You may start out using more pocket diapers and later on feel more comfortable with Prefolds. Don't be afraid to play around with things.

Starting Simple
I suggest first deciding how willing you are to try prefolds. They are extremely economical and very comfortable for babies. There is some initial trial and error--figuring out how best to fasten a prefold on your baby, but once you get the hang of it you can practically do it in your sleep (which you may very well do)! The reason I recommend prefolds so highly, is because it motivates us to change our babies more quickly, as opposed to waiting until they have peed several times in the same diaper. With frequent changes, babies learn to not like the feeling of wet and therefore can potty train much faster. I also apply the idea that if I wouldn't want to sit in my own waste, why should I subject my baby to that?

The difference between Chinese and Indian prefolds are that Chinese are very durable and slightly less soft. Indian are quite soft, yet more fragile. Since I am planning on using my stash for future children, I bought the Chinese, looking for longevity. I think they are still pretty soft (softer than disposables!), but some mothers swear by the softness they find in Indian prefolds. It is really a matter of preference.

When you know how much or how little you want to use prefolds, you can fill in your stash with what I call "Super Convenience Cloths-" known as pocket and fitted diapers. Ask yourself how often you have others watching your little one. Sometimes the social transition to cloth is easier if your family/babysitter has a few SCC to use and feel comfortable with.Pocket diapers are a bit more absorbent, so they are nice to use at night as you can adjust how much you stuff into them. They are also super easy to use. Fitteds are great for day and mostly for convenience--not as much absorption.

How many Diapers do I need?:
If you are willing to try EC(which I will talk about Monday), these numbers will be a little high for you. EC can cut down considerably how many diapers you use each day.
For newborns you'll need about 12-18 diaper changes per 24 hr period - so multiply that by how ever many days you want to go before laundering again. At this stage, their BM are water soluable and can basically be thrown in the machine without much pretreatment--easy peasy. I didn't mind doing a load every day. It’s nice to have 3-4 diaper covers for going out--but at home I rarely put a cover on. I wanted to know quickly when he was wet. The amount of diapers depends on how often you want to wash. For older babies (about 6 months plus or when their BM slow down) 9-12 diaper changes per 24 hrs period is usually a good amount. At this age most babies don't need to be changed very much at night, which cuts down the amount of diapers. For toddlers I usually don't recommend more than 6 or 9 diapers per day.

You may find yourself in an adjustment period at first- especially if making a transition from disposables to cloth. Some families find that when making this switch, mixing up a reusable system with disposables (ex. overnight, or for outings) may make the transition easier - do whatever works best for you! I told myself several times those first couple of weeks to do whatever was going to help me cross over into cloth with the least stress because less stress=longevity. I didn't want to give up before I had begun! It meant that at first I only cloth diapered Morris at home--then I added outings--and then night time. This can also ease the stress of buying your whole stash at once. Once I felt good about my diaper maintenance and routine, I couldn't believe I was ever afraid of it or thought it was hard.

What someone suggested to me (and worked very well for us) was to purchase a few (3-6) of the convenience (pocket, or fitted) diapers--and 12 prefolds in Morris' first size. I chose to get 6 One Size Pocket diapers by BumGenius and 12 unbleached Chinese Prefolds (infant size). Babies do grow out of the infant size quickly, but the close fit you can get with the proper size can eliminate BM leaking. I will admit that with prefolds, I had 2 times the breastfed (BF) poo escaped the cover. But I know this happens with disposables and it wasn't a big deal.

If you are willing to invest a bit more money for a great fitted diaper, that allows you to see quickly when wet (like prefolds), Motherease Onesize Diapers have great consumer reports at the Diaper Pin website. I have heard these contain the BF poo extremely well and are practically bullet proof. I plan to get a set of these for my next baby because they look so comfortable and easy to use: ) Again, these diapers adjust to fit your baby anywhere from 8-35 lbs.

12 pack is $179.95

24 pack is $334.95

32 pack is $495.95

Quite the savings from $2800 disposables!

Cloth Diaper series

Purchase Diapers HERE

Part 1 HERE-Exposing the Myths (sanitation)
Part 2 HERE- Exposing the Myths (ease of use)
Part 3 HERE- Exposing the Myths (cost)
Part 4 HERE- Cloth Diaper Benefits (health, environment)
Part 5 HERE- More Benefits (potty training, and more)
Part 6 HERE -Basic info and terminology
Part 7 HERE- Building your cloth diaper stash
Part 8 HERE- Diaper Needs Questionnaire

Monday, February 23, 2009

Cloth Diapers (Part 6)--Basic Info

As I have said before--

Anyone can cloth diaper, no matter the budget. Over the course of a child's diapering years, a parent would spend between $2100 and $3500 on disposables. Of course this is one or two packages at a time, so it may not feel that bad. Mothers cringe like clockwork (sticker shock) when they first look at cloth diaper prices. Remember the price reflects that you are buying an entire size all at once. If you were to buy an entire size-set of disposables, you would no doubt cringe even more.

I beg you to not shrink away or feel overwhelmed. Stick with me, and you'll see how affordable and easy we can make it. Think of cloth diapering as an investment, both in your pocket book and baby's health--and remember that over the course of your diapering years, you are saving MUCH MORE money than you are spending. I promise.

That being said, I want to go through the different products to make cloth diapering work for you. Prices given are estimates and are often lower if diapers are purchased in a package deal.

Tomorrow I will post some brand recommendations, tips on deciding which diaper types to go with for your lifestyle and a few more goodies: )
Here are the different types of diapers and accessories

Flats (shown folded over above) are a square or rectangular piece of material with the same absorbency across the whole diaper. Most are a single layer, some are double. Different fold patterns allow custom fitting for your baby. Flats wash easy and dry fast (great for a year supply or emergency kits--hand washing and hang drying). Flats can be fastened with a snappi. Flats are very trim but have to be changed often and need a diaper cover for waterproofing. Cost runs $15-$17/dozen.

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Prefolds (my personal favorite), are also a rectangular piece of material but have a center strip of extra absorbency. You may see 4-8-4 or 2-6-2 indicators by different prefolds. This refers to the layers in each “section”. On each of the outer sides would be 4 layers and in the middle would be 8, for example. Prefolds can be fastened with pins, snappi or trifolded and laid in a cover. They also are easy to wash and dry. Cost is very low. New, high quality prefolds can be purchased for around $1.50-$2.00 each. Prefolds have a bit more bulk than flatfolds but are very little work and don't require a lot of folding due to the built in layers. Again, for waterproofing-prefolds can be combined with a cover if desired.

Chinese vs. Indian Prefolds
Kiersten asked "What are the differences between Chinese and Indian Prefolds?" The answer is that Chinese prefolds are the more durable of the two types, yet slightly less soft. Indian prefolds are softer, but a bit more fragile.I bought Chinese prefolds because I plan to use them for future babies and wanted the durability to last. I have used them for 9 months and they look just as they did when I bought them. I think they are pretty soft (softer than disposables in my opinion), so I didn't have any problem picking. Some mothers swear by the softness of the Indian prefolds. It's just about preference. If you are not sure if you care about this detail, you might try buying one of each and testing them out. Great Question Kiersten! Keep 'em coming: )

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Snappis cost $3. I like having 3 in my stash. One for the changing area, diper bag, and an extra in case I lose one.

They work like the metal fasteners on ACE bandages (little teeth grip the cloth).

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A cover such as this Bummis Super Whisper Wrap makes diapering with flats, prefolds and fitteds, stylish and modern. Prices range from $8-$13 for covers like above-- $16-$20 for fleece, and up to $50 for designer wool.
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Fitteds are a cloth diaper that also requires a cover for waterproofing, but are otherwise used just like a disposable. Sizes xs, s, med, and large make them much less bulky than other cloth diapers. They also contain messes well due to elastic at the leg and sometimes along the back . Fitteds come in every material imaginable and can be fastened with snaps or aplix (velcro). The design allows for letting your little one go coverless and changing often. One downside is that fitteds take longer to dry. Prices usually range from $12.95 for fitteds as shown to $17.

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All In Ones (AIO) are the cloth diaper most similar to a disposable. Everything you need is there in the diaper- no stuffing, no cover required. All In Ones look very different across different brands. Some have the soaker sewn in, others have it partially attached outside the diaper to allow for quick-drying (you will see this referred to as QD). All In Ones can be very trim but others are quite bulky. AIO are easy to use for anyone (daycares, babysitters, dads!) but do have some washing drawbacks. They take longer to dry and can trap detergent and urine smells inside the soaker if not rinsed very well. Prices range from $14-$25.
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Pockets are a simple 2 layer diaper. The outer layer is waterproof and the inner is a soft material for next to baby. A pocket is left at the top of the diaper for you to put in the absorbency between the outer and inner layers. You are free to adjust the thickness depending on your baby’s needs. Prefolds cause more bulk but are absorbent, whereas microfiber is super trim. The choices for inserts is limitless. You could even use a towel or receiving blanket if you’re left in a pinch. Pockets can also be used as covers or swim diapers. They dry fast and for the most part wash up easy. Buildup can occur on the inner layer and soil could get trapped inside the pocket when washing--I have never had this happen to me, but there are always remedies for these circumstances. Prices range anywhere from $15-$35

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One-Size Cloth Diapers can be pockets or All-in-ones and usually fit from 7 pounds to 35 pounds. If cloth diapering more than one child at a time, one size diapers simplify diapering so as to eliminate size sorting. Three snap-downs on the front of the diaper adjust the rise as your baby grows. Prices range $15-$35
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Using cloth wipes saves a lot of money and since you are already doing the laundry, why not?They can be purchased for around a dollar a piece or made easily out of flannel. You'll want 18-32 (depending on how often you launder your diapers)
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Kushies flushable liners help to simplify diaper care by shielding the diaper from waste. Solids can easily be shaken from diaper into toilet, for minimal rinsing or preparation for wash.
They run about $8/roll of 100 sheets
I am told sheets can be torn in half and are still large enough.
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Diaper sprayers connect straight to the toilet and can be used as a bidet as well (great for new mama personal care). These help pre-rinse any soiled diaper without having to "dunk-and soak". Prices range from $25-$45, depending on the features it offers.
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Diaper pail-- not all pails are created equal. A removable lid accommodates slightly bulkier cloth diapers.

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Wet bags can be used alone or in conjunction with a diaper pail to contain used diapers. They are available for around $20 or easily made from coated nylon. This one has an elastic opening and will fit around wide pail brims. These are great as they can be thrown into the laundry with the diapers to clean and avoid the wastefulness and expense of disposable pail bags.
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How do you wash cloth diapers?
Ask any cloth diaper parent and they’ll give you a different answer. You will have to experiment because it does vary depending on what system you are using, what kind of water you have (hard or soft), if your little one has sensitivities, etc. I always recommend that you start off SIMPLE. Wash the diapers just like you do normal laundry. If you begin to sense problems, ie. stink, rash, repelling, then start tweeking your routine.
Next week I will give more laundry tips, after you've all gotten your cloth diapers;) But here are a few ideas to think about.

Line drying, or creating a rack as shown (from PVC pipe) will help to eliminate odors in diapers when exposed to direct sunlight.

YOUR HOMEWORK: Think about your lifestyle and what you are needing your diaper system to provide. Do you utilize babysitting/daycare often? Are you looking for something extremely easy to wash and fold? Do you need the mix of an economical choice for at home but would like a more custom fit for on the go and/or diaper changes by Dad?

Come back tomorrow for more cloth diapering questions answered!

Purchase Diapers HERE

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Cloth Diaper Debate (Part 5)--What's in it for me?

Remember when I said that if there wasn't something in it for me, I wouldn't cloth diaper my son? I meant it. Let me tell you something else--even if it was better for the environment to use disposable diapers (which it isn't), I wouldn't. This, because I know that cloth is more comfortable for Morris.

So what's in it for me?
1 to 2 years less diaper changing, for starters.

Studies show that children that are cloth diapered and changed quickly, toilet train up to 24 months earlier. Did you know that 80% of the children in our world TODAY are completely toilet trained between 12 – 24 months with 18 months as the average? It is only in the U.S. and other "disposable diaper" countries where toileting is pushed back so late and completed as late as 36 – 48 months. Also, this is the way it WAS in the United States prior to the mid 50's which directly coincided with the introduction of disposable diapers.

Although there are no hard statistics, pediatricians say they are seeing more children with toilet-training problems. The problems include withholding of urine and stool, chronic constipation and wetting and soiling by older children.

These developments combined have fed a multi billion dollar diaper industry, which last year racked up $545 million in training pant sales ALONE, and spurred the introduction of the giant-sized diaper, designed for toddlers.

I will talk about the practice of infant potty learning on Wednesday (also known as elimination communication--EC) which can go hand in hand with using cloth diapers if you desire. Our family has loved doing EC and will share about that on Wednesday. This practice is made so much easier by the use of cloth.

What else do I love about Cloth Diapering?

I love that it becomes part of his wardrobe. Cloth diapers and covers can be ridiculously cute. A few pairs of baby legs with a simple T and the wardrobe for summer is complete! I could go on and on about this--but the truth is cloth diapers are ADORABLE. That is fact.

Now, I've been kind of bratty, saying I would cloth diaper even if it were worse for the environment. This is probably true, because who of us isn't going to do what it best for our kids, when it comes right down to it? However, I do really care about the earth because it will be the earth for my kids, grand kids, great grand kids, etc. I saw this picture and it made my stomach turn.

Is this the future we are leaving our posterity?

11 Billion pounds of untreated body excrement, which may carry over 100 intestinal viruses, is brought to landfills via disposable diapers each year.
18 Billion Diapers are used and thrown into landfills each year (enough to stretch to the moon and back 9 times).
It takes between 300-500 years for disposable diapers to decompose when exposed to direct sunlight and air. Since the diapers are dumped into landfills, covered and not exposed to the sun or air, who knows how many hundreds of years they will be around.

So that's the deal with diapers. Tomorrow we will wrap it up with info on starting your own cloth diaper stash, and some tips & tricks from cloth diapering Mama's I love and respect greatly. Stick around!

Purchase Diapers HERE

Friday, February 20, 2009

Cloth Diapers --(Part 4) The Benefits

I'm pretty Crunchy.

Not totally Granola, but definitely on the crunchy side. I enjoy Natural Parenting and try to be environmentally responsible--(as I believe we should be good stewards of this earth that God created for us). I will say however, that convenience still rules sometimes in my house. If something is just not working for us- no matter how we've tried, I'm not going to stress myself too much over it. And if I don't see some benefit for me, I have a hard time staying motivated to do it. An example: If cloth diapering left Morris with roadrash on his buns, or it left me too frazzled of a mother to enjoy motherhood, I AIN'T DOIN IT! Are you with me on this?

So a few years ago a study came out claiming that cloth diapers were actually worse for the environment than disposables. They said that with all the energy used and water "wasted"--the environmental impact of using cloth diapers was greater than that of disposables. It also claimed that cloth was not healthy or sanitary for babies. Hmmm. Okay. So I thought to myself,

"Self-- These could be valid points. Let's look into it."

And so I did. Or we did. Why am I talking in 3rd person?

Anyway, I did a little research--and you know what I found?

This study was funded by Proctor & Gamble--a major manufacturer of disposable diapers.

That seems fishy to me.

I read the study further in which it said cloth diapers were worse for babies because they cause, "diaper rash and are unsanitary".

Again funded by Proctor & Gamble.

What's the truth?

First, I will address the health of the baby. That should always be first.

I found THIS article that addresses the issue so beautifully. Please read carefully. This is your baby's health we are talking about. Since reading this, I have found many other articles/studies from reliable sources that back it up...

"Although the disposable diaper industry spends millions of dollars on ad campaigns touting the fact that their diapers feel drier, there is no benefit to the baby in terms of diaper rash. In fact, diaper rash is caused by numerous factors ranging from food irritations to soaps used on the baby's skin, and the number one factor in preventing it is frequent diaper changes. For this reason, babies in disposable diapers may experience more diaper rash; because the diapers feel dry, parents tend to change them as infrequently as every four to five hours. But though the outer layer may appear dry, bacteria from the urine is still present in the baby's diaper, and still comes in contact with the baby's skin. Furthermore, plastic does not "breathe" to let out the ammonia formed in the bacterial breakdown of urine, while a cotton diaper and nylon or wool wrap are breathable, allowing air to circulate to the baby's skin, keeping it healthy.
Of more serious concern are the toxic chemicals present in disposable diapers. Dioxin, which in various forms has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and skin diseases, is a by-product of the paper-bleaching process used in manufacturing disposable diapers, and trace quantities may exist in the diapers themselves.
And what about the material that makes "superabsorbent" diapers so absorbent? If you've ever used disposable diapers, you've probably noticed beads of clear gel on your baby's genitals after a diaper change. Superabsorbent diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, which absorbs up to 100 times its weight in water. Sodium polyacrylate is the same substance that was removed from tampons in 1985 because of its link to toxic shock syndrome. No studies have been done on the long-term effects of this chemical being in contact with a baby's reproductive organs 24 hours a day for upwards of two years. "

The Joy of Cloth Diapers

By Jane McConnell Issue 88, May/June 1998

I also read that in May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.

Not to scare you...but that's scary! And to speak to the "Unsanitary" comment, I will quote

Janet Primomo, RN, PhD, associate professor of nursing at the University of Washington, Tacoma. She says "It's not a question of whether cloth or disposables are more sanitary--it all depends on practices and procedures, such as hand washing habits and what kind of storage containers are used."

Enough about that. If you are still not sold, there are plenty of studies you could Google to learn more. (Just make sure they aren't funded by Proctor and Gamble).

Now, on to the Enviornment.

If it is more environmentally responsible to use disposable diapers than cloth, why then are adults not using disposable underwear? Are we being selfish or spoiled by using cloth? How about disposable clothes? Why don't we just wear paper clothes everywhere?

You see where I'm going with this. Of course it's a ridiculous claim--and so is the idea that disposable diapers are better for the environment. If you need more convincing, read THIS article.

Alright--enough of all the Politics. Monday I will share a few more of the benefits that I and others have experienced through cloth diapering. Tuesday, we'll wrap this thing up and get you feeling ready to try it for yourself!

Stay tuned!

sources

-Nan Scott, "Nan Scott's Newsletter for Parents."

-EPA, "Integrated Risk Assessment for Dioxins and Furans from Chlorine Bleaching in Pulp and Paper Mills."

-Judy Braiman-Lipson, Empire State Consumer Association, Rochester, NY.

-Archives of Disease in Childhood. May 2000

Purchase Diapers HERE

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cloth Diapers/Exposing the Myths (Part 3)

Myth- It costs a lot to cloth diaper a baby.

Fact: Cloth Diapering (CD) can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,100--which is still quite a bit less than the average spent on disposables. CDing can work for you no matter your budget.

The cost is variable and dependant upon your lifestyle and what you budget for it. Before going on about cost in great depth however, I just want to give you some motivating statistics.

Oooo. Statistics. FUN.

The average child is in diapers for 2 to 3 years. That comes up to 8,000-10,000 diaper changes per child. If using disposables, studies show most people typically spend between $2,100 (for 8,000 diapers) and $2,800 (10,000 diapers). This does not take into account how much money is spent on disposable wipes. As Christie brought up on her last comment, you save so much money using cloth wipes. You can either buy 12-18 washcloths, or cut your own out of flannel. This must save hundreds more, but I haven't done the exact math.

$2,800 is actually a low end statistic. Some studies show many more diapers are used and a lot more spent. Either way--That's a lot of Cash. Unlike cloth diapers, when those disposables are used, they are gone and in the trash.

You might be thinking at this point, "But it costs money to wash and take care of those cloth diapers!". Yes, it does cost money to launder them. About $1.25 each load--that includes detergent, energy and even wear and tear on your machine. You could save considerably more money by drying your diapers on a clothes line (an extra 5 minutes of your day).

Bottom line--if you choose to go with a very "Expensive" diaper layette, you would still only spend between $900-$1,100. That is $1,000+ cheaper than disposables and leaves plenty of room for energy/laundry costs.

(Also keep in mind that you don't need to buy all the different size diapers at once--unless you decide to go with the one-size diapers--which adjust in size--and save you a lot of money in the long run).

I have a combination of more expensive diapers and super cheap (yet great quality) prefolds and have spent maybe $300. I'm not joking. Plus, when all is said and done- I get to use these diapers for babies number 2, 3, etc. I might have to do minor repairs on them, or replace a few, but on the whole I get to diaper those kids for nearly FREE! I love free stuff. Or, if I was on my last baby, and diapers were still in decent shape, I could sell them and get some of my money back.

I will give all the detailed info about different brands and prices for the various diaper systems at the end of this series. But really, all you need to know right now is that it is super cheap.

Myth- It takes a long time to launder and care for Cloth Diapers.

Fact: It does take time--but most likely not much more than it would take to get in your car, drive to the store, purchase disposable diapers, and drive home.

I think you will be surprised at how little time it actually takes to CD your baby. I spend about 45 minutes a week preparing them for washing and folding--I pretty much just use it as my excuse to watch a recorded show on TV. I have to admit something--One of my favorite things in the world is to take a fresh batch of clean, warm diapers from the dryer--(yeah, I'm lazy and dry mine that way most of the time). I love to fold and place them in their bins. Really this is the only laundry I enjoy doing. Ever. Something about knowing soft cotton will be next to Mo's tush instead of scratchy paper products--makes me feel like I am doing my best as a Mom--despite all my other inadequacies--I can CD his Bum perfectly! Kinda corny--I know. But you'll see. It's addictive.

CLICK HERE for a fabulous diaper tutorial from my dear friend Beth

on how simple it is to take care of cloth diapers. I love her blog and am so glad she took the time to take beautiful pictures of what she does to CD.

Now, I know there are a bunch of you Cloth Diapering Mama's that have great thoughts to add.

Let's hear it!

Either comment or shoot me an email ( emidinkl@yahoo.com) and I will include your words of wisdom in this series.

Purchase Diapers HERE

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Cloth Diapers/Exposing the Myths (Part 2)

Today I want to discuss something I thought about after reading some of your comments on the first installment of The Diaper Debate. Tomorrow, I will focus on the cost/time it really takes to cloth diaper your baby's bum: )

First, Megan brought up a really good point about feeling overwhelmed with all the information out there on cloth diapering. I couldn't agree more. When I first googled cloth diapers, I honestly expected like 5 results to come up. I didn't even think people still did it! Little did I know there was this whole culture around it.

--hard core mamas writing all about it on yahoo message boards,

--debating all the different brands and diaper systems,

--the best way to clean the diapers--and other tricks of the trade.

WHO KNEW? I certainly didn't. I was overwhelmed after about 5 minutes when I realized the kind of time other people put into doing it. I was intimidated and gave up on the idea for quite awhile. After a break, I decided to plunge back in and just try it. If I didn't like it, I would allow myself to quit.

I researched all the brands, laundering techniques, etc. etc. etc. I spent easily 100 hours reading about it. (Hey I didn't have kids yet--I still had time; ) If you remember only one thing from this post, remember this-- It doesn't have to be complicated. Honestly, I could have started diapering after reading about it for 5 minutes and I would have been set.

Here's why:

No one lets their kid sit in urine/solid waste for hours at a time, right? Who cares if it absorbs 2 cups of urine--I'm not gonna wait that long to change him. As soon as I knew he was going--(ever heard a baby grunt or start kicking their legs?) I would change him. Simple as that. I think he peed out of his diaper on two occasions. So I changed his clothes, and that was that. No biggie, right?

And in regards to cleaning--- a good laundry detergent and a little sunshine every once in awhile will take out any smell, stain or bacteria that might come with using cloth diapers. (Seriously--the sun is better than bleach.)

Okay, I know there's a little more to it than that. But if you stick with me, I'll tell you the most pared down, easy way to incorporate cloth diapers into your lifestyle.

It's cheap. It's easy. It's sanitary.

Why not? : )

Purchase Diapers HERE

Monday, February 16, 2009

Cloth Diapers/Exposing the Myths (part 1)

What do newborns do? It can pretty much be summed up in 3 words.

Eat, Poo, Sleep.

And each one is very urgent for baby in the moment.

No wonder we as parents are consumed in anything having to do with these actions.

When I learned I was pregnant, the first thing I thought about was diapering. I knew that as a baby, I was allergic to disposables. I also knew that my husband has even more sensitive skin than me (don't tell him I told you he was a sensitive guy; ). There already seemed like a pretty big chance Morris would have a problem with disposable diapers. So, I did what any mom in that situation would do.

I started researching other options.

I'll talk more about this in a later post-- but basically, I first had to get over a few preconcieved notions about cloth diapering. Today I will focus on the first myth that needed debunking.
MYTH: Cloth diapers are gross.
Fact: Okay, I can't really come down on this one with hard facts, but I have to laugh whenever I hear it. If you think that disposables are going to completely save you from having to deal with baby Pee and Poo, you might need a wake up call. Being a new parent means you're gonna have to deal with baby waste somehow. After doing the research on cloth diapers, I realized that now more than ever, cloth diapers are just as easy as disposables! It truly is as simple as dumping any waste in the toilet, rinsing in the washer, and then setting it for a hot load.

Just look at how plush and soft this would feel next to your skin. I decided that if it didn't sound pleasant for me to wear paper underwear, I wouldn't expect Mo to do it either.

These are diapers I have him wear out and about. They work just like disposables.

Now, if you really want to make sure you don't have any extra rinsing to do on your diapers, you can purchase a roll of flushable liners. You lay them inside the diaper so all waste falls straight into the commode with no extra work. They run about $8 a roll and have a 100 tear off sheets. I'm told you could tear each sheet in half and it would still be big enough.

Around the house, I decided to go with old school, extremely cheap (yet still soft) prefolds. These are so easy to launder and I love the look of a baby in prefolds. I learned I didn't need to use diaper pins thanks to the snappi. This little gadget works on prefolds like the snaps for ACE bandages. I LOVE 'em and you have no fear of sticking yourself with a diaper pin--Plus they make flatfold changes super fast!Tomorrow I will focus on more myths surrounding cloth diaper care.