As many of you know, I have made the decision to cloth diaper my little one. Many factors have played into this decision and I admit after MUCH research, it feels like it is the sensible thing to do. I think one of the most important steps to make when considering cloth diapering is the commitment to do your homework. One of the common themes I was finding with frustrations and failures of current and past moms who have attempted the feat would be a lack of research before taking it on. Doing your research and being honest with yourself through the process seems to do wonders.
So, why is it so important to do your research? Well, the fact of the matter is that the world of cloth diapering is no longer a simple one; it even seems to come with it's own language full of fun acronyms. There are several different types, brands, qualities, absorbancy factors, materials, sizes, and price ranges; not to mention a plethora of advice for special washing and care instructions for each. A quick Google search will not only confirm this claim, but is sure enough to overwhelm you.
I will try to explain the "system" I will be using as simply as possible with the assumption that many of my readers aren't familiar with the subject. In an effort to keep this whole cloth diapering bit as user friendly as possible for my husband (as well as the occasional babysitter, friend, or family member) I decided to go with only one type of diaper- pockets. The pocket diaper closely mimics the disposable in shape and style which was a big plus for me in the "user friendly" department. I decided to go with a number of brands, as I read repeatedly that you never know which one will be the best fit for your baby. Not only that, I'm curious to know if the cheaper brands are just as good the high end diapers. Lastly, I decided on mostly snaps (or buttons) with a few aplix (velcrow) closures. I decided to get a few aplix closures once again, for the 'user friendly' factor... that and I might not want to deal with snaps at three o'clock in the morning. The reason I decided to go with the majority of diapers having snaps is because not only do they tend to be more durable, but baby can't get them off as she gets older like she can with aplix.
What about laundry? A couple of common questions/comments that i've gotten from people when I tell them i've decided to cloth diaper have been about the laundry aspect of cloth diapers. Initial negative reactions have been something to the effect of "ewe, isn't is gross?" or "don't you have to do alot of laundry?" .... I would answer each of those this way: "Yes, it's gross... but then again, isn't changing diapers gross anyway?" and "Yes, there's additional effort to be put in with the laundry factor, but it's the trade off for saving an average of $2,000 or more". I would also add the fact that if we start off with cloth diapers, and it's what we know, then it won't be as bad as if we were to switch later from disposables. After reading rigorous wash routines and seeking advice from others, I have decided to start out with Tide. Yes, in the spirit of simplicity once again, I will be using Tide free and clear with the occasional hard water treatment of RLR and diaper strip with blue dawn dish soap. ***Diaper stripping is a whole other factor I won't bore you with.
Lastly, I will touch on a few benefits of cloth diapering. Most obviously is the environmental factor... just think about how many diapers one baby contributes to a landfill. Cloth diapers when properly laundered tend to be less irritating to baby's skin resulting in less diaper rash which means a happy baby (double bonus)! Babies who are cloth diapered tend to potty train sooner because they are able to recognize the sensation of being wet. Lastly, but surely my favorite benefit: the cost and savings factor. While cloth diapers tend to require a good amount for the initial investment, the overall savings is incredible! See the cart below :)
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