Consider Cloth
9:40 AM Edit This 10 Comments »
I don't remember exactly when I started considering cloth diapers, but I know it was before we started our Bradley classes. I remember sitting in Impellizzeri's with Eric one afternoon discussing the options, and I remember visiting Mama's Hip for the very first time to look at them. It took a few weeks to get Eric on board, just like it did with convincing him to do a natural childbirth. Once we started researching, though, everything just seemed to make sense, and there was no turning back.
When we were babies, disposables were just becoming widely used. My brother was in cloth, but I was not. Let me just get it out there and say that cloth diapers have come a very long way since the 1970s. You don't have to swirl the diaper around in the toilet, there are no safety pins involved, and there are a lot of options ... there's something for everyone.
I know there are lots of rumors surrounding cloth, and when I have suggested to a few of my pregnant friends lately that they should consider cloth, I never get a good response. Please believe me when I say that there is nothing more difficult about using cloth diapers. A few more accessories, yes, but also a few less. No diaper genie, for example. We have a diaper pail in the bathroom (with a lid) and there is no smell. I carry a "wetbag" in my diaper bag for dirty diaper changes when I am in public.
In my opinion, cloth diapers are not only easier and much, much cuter, but they are also better for the environment and the baby (ever wonder why those disposables had hold so much pee? Chemicals, my friends - google it). Now, there is more laundry involved, but let's be honest here: with a baby around, there's more laundry to be done regardless. I wash diapers every other day, which is when I would normally be doing laundry anyway.
I realize that cloth diapers are not ideal for every family, but all I ask is that you consider them. They're not as gross as you might imagine, and they're so much better for the baby and the environment (there have been cost studies done about water usage, but I don't think the water usage is worse for the environment than the thousands of disposables that each family puts into landfills; plus, if you line dry the diapers, you save a lot of energy by not using the dryer).
We have loved our diapers from day one and can't imagine ever using disposables. We have 24 BumGenius 3.0s, which are made by Cotton Babies, but there are new kinds coming out all the time. The possibilities are almost endless.
For answers to pretty much every question you might have, visit: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com.
When we were babies, disposables were just becoming widely used. My brother was in cloth, but I was not. Let me just get it out there and say that cloth diapers have come a very long way since the 1970s. You don't have to swirl the diaper around in the toilet, there are no safety pins involved, and there are a lot of options ... there's something for everyone.
I know there are lots of rumors surrounding cloth, and when I have suggested to a few of my pregnant friends lately that they should consider cloth, I never get a good response. Please believe me when I say that there is nothing more difficult about using cloth diapers. A few more accessories, yes, but also a few less. No diaper genie, for example. We have a diaper pail in the bathroom (with a lid) and there is no smell. I carry a "wetbag" in my diaper bag for dirty diaper changes when I am in public.
In my opinion, cloth diapers are not only easier and much, much cuter, but they are also better for the environment and the baby (ever wonder why those disposables had hold so much pee? Chemicals, my friends - google it). Now, there is more laundry involved, but let's be honest here: with a baby around, there's more laundry to be done regardless. I wash diapers every other day, which is when I would normally be doing laundry anyway.
I realize that cloth diapers are not ideal for every family, but all I ask is that you consider them. They're not as gross as you might imagine, and they're so much better for the baby and the environment (there have been cost studies done about water usage, but I don't think the water usage is worse for the environment than the thousands of disposables that each family puts into landfills; plus, if you line dry the diapers, you save a lot of energy by not using the dryer).
We have loved our diapers from day one and can't imagine ever using disposables. We have 24 BumGenius 3.0s, which are made by Cotton Babies, but there are new kinds coming out all the time. The possibilities are almost endless.
For answers to pretty much every question you might have, visit: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com.
10 Observations or Opinions:
Can't agree more babe. I was hesitant at first, but not about the diapers themselves...more so about Katherine pushing to use them..but that is another conversation altogether.
Honestly my biggest concern was what to do with "poo-xplotions" and I thought every poopy diaper was going to take 10 minutes of spraying into the toilet. But I was totally wrong. For as long as he was entirely formula fed (6 months) nothing. Water soluble baby, just throw it in the washing machine. And now, yes there are some diapers that need spraying but I would say maybe 1/10 are sprayed. The other 90% are hard (just like you...you don't have diarrhea every day...and if you do again, another conversation altogether) and you just hold the diaper over the toilet, turn upside down and plop. No more work required.
So yeah, unlike some dad's I've heard of, I'm totally on board. One of the best decisions we've made for Duncan IMO.
I TOTALLY agree with you. When I read that you were considering cloth (before Duncan was born) I thought you were crazy. I just kept thinking how much work it would be and how disgusting all of that would be. Then about 2 months ago I started doing a little bit of research. I was tired of taking those large disgusting bags to the trash can. They stank something horrible and to know that I was wasting that much money with every time I was not happy. So when I decided to ask you, I was already a little sold on the idea. When you told me how easy it was, I was completely shocked. We just purchased about 12 of the BumGenius diapers along with some gDiapers and I am IN LOVE. Thanks again for all your help, we are so happy!!
I should read my comments. I said formula fed...no formula here. Just boobie-juice for Duncan.
Seth was trying to convince me to do cloth and I thought I was going to cry. I knew I was the one who was going to have to do it all(and for the most part I am). A friend of ours sent me a new Bum Genius and it was love at first site:o) We did have to go back to disposable at night but I think I finally found a new solution! I personally don't like the new Flips, but the liner is awesome! I know stuff my BG with the Flip liner and a newborn liner and he sleep 14 hours in it with no leaking:o) This makes mommy VERY happy! I did use the Huggies pure and natural and it was much nicer than just the normal disposables, less chemicals and smell too.
I'm so glad you did a post about this. Two days ago I thought to myself that I would really enjoy hearing about your cloth diaper experiences. Do you reuse covers and just replace inserts sometimes? I've read that some people are able to do that.
my children amaze me
Ever since you told me about the BumGenius diapers, I have wanted to use them. When I was briefly pregnant, I visited their website and researched cloth diapers. I'm still going to use them someday!
I love using cloth diapers! They are easy and less stinky than disposable. (We used disposable to begin with because we are moving from NZ to the US. I couldn't wait to use cloth!)
Another good site to buy from is nickisdiapers.com. They have a new diaper that I'd like to try for number 2.
God forbid someone use formula.
We did cloth for a while, and I disagree. Cloth DOES take more work, and I'm not convinced that the environmental impact isn't negated by the constant washing. I also found clothing to be a HUGE challenge because Kellen's butt would be too big to fit into anything.
I don't mean to be constantly in disagreement, but I consider myself to be pretty green and yet have made different choices... consciously.
Brooke - it's okay that we are constantly in disagreement. It's good to hear different perspectives.
I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with cloth diapers, but I think you are in the minority there. None of my friends have bad things to say about them. I love them, and I don't mind the extra laundry one bit.
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