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...once in a while, I post a topic here that I'm just *sure* will make some of you think I've begun a steady swan-dive off into the deepest end of the kiddie pool. But, fearless readers that you are, you post your comments and validate my ideas like champions. Something for which I have come to adore each and every one of you.
Ok, but, warm fuzzy moment aside... we're going to be a cloth diapering family.
I can hear you now... *gasp!* you're what??
But trust me--these aren't your mama's diapers. Old cloth diapers required jumbo safety pins, big basins filled with soapy water, plastic pants, and, well... swishing your hands around in baby-doo. Not anymore, though!!
These days, like everything else, cloth diapers have taken on a whole new 'tude. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and varieties, but the type I'm most interested in are called 'pocket diapers.' (my current favorite variety can be found here... they're called KnickerNappies) You start with an all-in-one outer shell lined with soft, cozy fleece-y material... stuff the shell with an absorbent cloth material, like these, and you're good to go!
Benefits of cloth diapering are numerous... they include far fewer diaper rashes and of course, a HUGE reduction in the cost of diapering your little monkey. Sure, the initial cost is a bit high (we'll probably spend around $300 to get started...), but it DEFINITELY works out in the end. Cloth diapers can be used for multiple kiddos, too, making them even MORE worth that initial expenditure. They're good for the environment too! (insert groan here, I know...)
Anyway--without making myself sound like a sales rep., I'm so excited!
I know, I know, I can hear you now... "what about the laundry? What about *shudder* touching poo??"
But heck! I'll be touching it anyway... and cleaning up barf, and, well, I already to laundry... might as well dive in head-first, hmm? Besides, we get to buy this nifty little toilet sprayer attachment so we don't have to *touch* too much poo.
So there you have it... this mama is going Hippy-Dippy, Crunchy-Granola on you... and she's gosh-darned excited about it.
Any other cloth diapering mama's out there??
Friday, September 26, 2008
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15 comments:
I wish we had cloth diapered. The initial cost is no where near what you will pay over 2-3 years of one child, let alone any others.
I think I was too scared of the wash and turn-around need for more diapers to follow through.
However seeing how many we use it makes me so sad for the environment :(
I think it is fabulous that you are going to be using cloth diapers!! Not to mention all the money you will save! Just one little tid bit I wanted to add...my close friends' baby had a REALLY bad yeast infection from using cloth diapers so they had to switch to disposable just to keep the moisture away from HER skin. I'm thinkin you won't have that problem with a little boy though :) Maybe with my next child I will be brave enough to use cloth. Currently I'm kind of glad I get to use disposables because that means I get to go to Target each time I need diapers...which is always fun. Although, driving my car to target and using disposable diapers is not very environmentally friendly I know. I do however bring my canvas tote bags instead of using plastic :)
One step at a time right?
wow- I am so impressed! we are on our last pack of diapers- potty training is next on our agenda!
i wanted to do cloth but i was lazy. good luck- i hope it's an awesome experience for you guys!
My bro used cloth on their little guy to begin with. It worked fine until they were taking him places. Having disposables when you're grocery shopping was apparently much more convenient. More power to ya, though. There was a day I figured it would be a cold day in hell that you'd be messing with poo so intimately. ;)
My friend Jenn used him with her son. He was prone to rashes regardless cloth or diaper but she learned you had to be careful with the kind of ointment you use for the diapers concerning rashes because it can ruin them. So I would recommend looking into that.
Yaaayyy! I'm so excited to see all of these fun comments this afternoon.
Kelly, the turn-around does scare me a bit, and I'm sure it'll take a while for the habit to form. Wish me luck!! Yikes!
Tracy, strange about the yeast infections, because cloth diapers typically *prevent* unwanted... situations... like that. Something great to keep in mind though--thanks!
Maggie, yay potty training! Are you going to go the 'gallon of juice and a bag of salty snacks' route? or something else??
Shara, LOL! We'll keep *some* disposables on hand for use when we travel, when baby is really sick (i.e., ICKY diapers), or in other situations that would be less than favorable for cloth. I'm considering gDiapers for that, as opposed to Pampers, but we'll see. I'm giggling about your statement on my intimacy with poo... :o)
LeslieAnn, thanks for the tip! You're very right--no diaper creams with cloth, as the oils in them interfere with the absorbency. That's another event we'll have disposables on hand for... should we need to use any creams or what-not.
Wow! This is too funny because I JUST went to the "Simple Cloth" store in downtown Oly yesterday and bought one of these cloth diapers you are talking about to try, then I'll see if I want to go buy more. I am washing it as we speak so I can try it out, wish me luck! :)
Cloth? No Way.
As a Dad, there was no greater pleasure than changing diapers on the seat of my pick-up truck (cause #2 never happens when you are at home), getting poop all over the seats, and then pitching the diaper in to the bed of the truck.
The real fun comes from collecting five or six of those stinkers in the bed of the truck and stinking the garage up to high heaven 'cause I forgot that they were there.
You on the other hand will have the pleasure of carrying the package around with you in the store, at the ball game, grandma's house, etc. I look forward to your assessment of the situation.
Jen, did you LOVE her diaper store? I am so excited to finally see an actual diapering store front in town! I'll be anxious to hear what you think of the diapers... did you choose a KnickerNappy?
Brian, you're cracking me up! I'm all too familiar with Murphy and his gosh-darned laws... and Murphy's Law tells me that yes, we will indeed experience many-a-poops on the go. For that purpose, I present you with my next purchase... a 'wet bag,' or in other words, a non-wicking, smell-containing diaper carrier!
...never you worry though, for I'm sure there will be multiple assessments in the months to come!
No, I chose the Happy Heinys. :) That is the one that my friend chose because she asked the owner what she prefers and that's what she said she uses on her own baby. I think the difference is that they have several snaps to adjust to the size of the baby and grow with it. Also they come with 2 different size inserts for free. I'll let you know what I think when I use it! :)
You are very brave! I gave you an award on my blog!
Ok, so I tried out the cloth diaper today... I'm not sure what to say because I don't want to discourage you or burst your bubble! :) But to be honest, I was not too impressed. First it is SO bulky that it made my daughter look like she was a sumo wrestler (just in that area of course!) and even her clothes didn't fit right because it is so huge and bulky. But I tried to get past that (though I am not sure I succeeded) and just went with the flow. I put her down for a short nap and then when I picked her up, her pants were all wet because she peed through the diaper! That is VERY unusual for her -- I think she's only peed through her diaper less times than I can count on one hand, and those times were when she had worn the diaper MUCH longer than she did this time! Needless to say, I couldn't wait to put back on the disposable diaper so we went and changed her. Then I had to pull the sopping wet pee-soaked cloth out of the inside pocket of the diaper and that was not pleasant. Well, I'll stop there but you asked me to tell you what I thought of it once I got a chance to try it so there you have it. Even though it's probably not what you wanted to hear, please try it out and you may not mind at all (especially if you don't start out using disposable and have that to compare it to) because I think it's great if you can make it work for you. I have to admit that I will probably try it again once we run out of the diapers we have still sitting in her closet. We were fortunate enough to get a TON of diapers for shower gifts, etc. before she was born so we are set for awhile still before we have to fork out any money for diapers. We still have approx. 8 cases of diapers to use up before I have to pay for any so we'll see what I decide to do when that time comes. :) Anyway, I hope it works out wonderful for you... good luck! :)
Ohh! I got an award? Yippeee!
Jen... LOL! Uuugh... Jen, sounds like a crapola experience. The bulk on a tiny-kin is one of the reasons I'm not going to use one of the "one-size-fits-all" brands. I just don't like the idea of snapping them all down to size... again, too much bulk. As for her soaking through it? What sort of insert did you use? Was it the one that comes with the HH's? I've heard some not-so-great things about those... might I suggest you buy a "loopy-do's" insert, made to go with the KnickerNappies brand, and give that a try WITH your HH? Of course, I don't want you to think that I doubt your experience was a yucky one!! ...and I also hope I'm not coming across as though I feel like I 'know more' than you--because you've tried the diapers first-hand, and I've yet to do such a thing. Oh--and wow! Still eight cases of diapers to work through?! That's awesome!!
Don't worry--you haven't discouraged me from trying it out on my own... I value your opinion 100% though!! :o)
Good I'm glad I didn't discourage you. :) And when the time comes for me to give them another try, I will definitely take you up on your suggestion of getting a different insert. Thanks for that tid-bit! :)
Hey...not sure I'll cloth diper when I have kids. Sounds like a lot of work, even though I hear what you're saying about all the benefits. I suppose it's a decision I'll make when I'm pregnant and the time comes to make the decision. :)
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