Why cloth diaper? Well for one, it saves a lot of money. The diapers get washed and reused, so besides the cost of operating the washer, all of the money outlay is on the front end. But it's also supposed to reduce diaper rash and encourage earlier potty training. It also reduces landfill waste. But I've also discovered that they are very cute! I got the basic models (from fuzzibunzstore.com) but the cloth diaper industry has come up with adorable prints and designs that are as cute as baby clothes! Maybe someday I'll branch out into those.
So this is how they work: The diapers are waterproof on the outside (the colored part) and really soft fleece on the inside. There's a pocket in the fleece in which you tuck a liner, made out of absorbent hemp. When baby wets, the liquid goes through the fleece to the hemp, keeping baby dry. When it's time for a change, you just put the whole thing in a diaper pail until laundry day (probably every other day). Then you just dump the pail liner with all of the diapers right into the washer, and do a heavy duty hot water load with a special soap powder designed for diapers.
Here are the diaper pail liners. I got two so I have one to use while the other is in the wash. The little bottle is of something called "tea tree oil." There is a little patch of absorbent material inside the liner on which you put a few drops of the oil. It has a pleasant smell which masks odors.
Cloth wipes make sense with cloth diapers. They get washed with the diaper. You can use water to wet them, make a solution out of baby wash, or buy a "natural wipes spray." My package came with the spray, so I'll try that.
The little white dots on the diaper are snaps. Some cloth diapers have velcro tabs like disposables, but the snaps can keep older babies from stripping off a dirty diaper and making a mess. There is elasitc around the legs to prevent leaks.
I also got some "super soaker" hemp liners deisgned for overnight diapers. They are extra thick and absorbent.
Last, but not least, a fun tote for my diaper bag. It's waterproof on the inside for used diapers on-the-go. The top zippers shut.
6 comments:
You go Sus!
After some babysitting experiences, as little budget as Michael and I have in general, I am still not sure if I will go for cloth diapers in the future. But, maybe I will change my mind later?! Will ask your opinions when the time comes. :p
you sound like an environmentalist
are you aure you are not turning into a liberal down there in DC?
Hehehe
No I'm not turning into a liberal.
We're just cheap.
Nothing has changed.
Funny thing...things that are good for the environment are often also the least expensive alternative.
hola prima susan--love the blog!
i have friends from college who are going the cloth route for baby Merrick, born July 2. all i can say is, be sure you invest in a clothes drying rack!!
my friend has made her own baby wipe spray... aloe and lavendar oil and chamomille or something. i;ll get her "recipe" if you're interested.
oh and if you're doing cloth does this mean you're also going to try "elimation timing" too??
Hi, Krista!
I've head of the elimination timing. Early potty training sounds like a good deal, but knowing me, I'd probably forget to take baby to the potty all the time and have more messes than successes. Apparently there is more success when diapers are not used at all so baby learns to feel uncomfortable and is more motivated to train. I don't think I could do it.
There is a family in our church in Philly to had all their kids potty trained by 8 mos. Maybe I could ship baby to them to train him? haha!
Hi Susan!
You're so smart & organized, I'm really impressed! I wonder how we would have done with the cloth diapers. For sure we would be rolling in the dough, because these 4 kids have peed & pooped us out of house & home with their diapers :)
I have enjoyed looking at your blog, it makes me feel like you're not so far away.
Missy
Post a Comment