Why we are Cloth Diapering.

Cloth diapers, cloth diapers... Where do I begin? I feel like they should come with a warning label!

Spot the preggo belly!

Warning: They come in cute prints and soft fabrics!

You will spend every last penny on the search for 90's cartoon theme or one that matches your nursery, purse or outfit perfectly. 

Seriously, 90's cartoon prints stole my heart the second I saw them. But I guess that doesn't answer the some many "Why's" I've gotten since I said we are choosing to use cloth over disposables. Granted I still have time to change my mind. Baby is in utero. But for now these are my following reasons.

One. C.o.s.t..... Upfront they are more money I'm not going to lie. I gave myself a $500.00 budget. Then I bought the diapers over the course of my pregnancy. Spending $100.00 on pre loved or used diapers from a friend. And then off local sales and custom sites. [FACT: I only spent $350.00] There's a huge market for cloth diapers. Who knew? Over all it saves money. My first child did not potty train till he was older then the average kid. [Because, reasons.] If my child now follows either of his brothers steps we would still save roughly $1,000.00 without having to purchase disposable diapers over the next 4 years. 

Two. The environment. I use hand towels instead of paper towels because I find they are gone to quickly and are a waste of money. Why would I want to have the same issues with diapers that add more bulk to my one trash can? And the fact once it makes it's way to the landfill can take 250 years to 500 years to decompose. Then add chemicals that can burn a baby's bum and ultimately end up in our air and water supply? And logistically speaking.. It takes 3.4 billion gallons of oil to make disposables every year. 20 times more in raw materials, 2 times more water and 3 times more energy to create than cloth diapers. All eating up our renewable energy sources. 

Three. Sustainability. Yes I know I just sort of hinted on that in two. But a good cloth diaper should last you roughly 3+ years and through multiple children if cared for properly.

Four. Less blow outs. This is a big one for me but simply put the cloth diapers simply hold more poo then regular diapers do when properly put on baby. 

Five. They aren't your mother's and grandmother's cloth diapers. Though those are still an option I even have a flat my grandmother used on my mom, aunt and uncle. They have several options to chose from. From snap closes, velcro, snappies [they hold the diaper with soft plastic teeth] or diaper pins. They are CUTE! So many prints to chose from cartoons, to flowers, to plain solid colors. Worried about stains? In most cases simply put the in the sun light and they will be gone in an hour.

Six. Did I mention you can get custom prints? There's nothing cuter. You can have your last name written across baby's bum if you wanted to. Favorite characters, music, colors nothing is off the table. And the diapers are soft. Often made of velour or fleece fabrics. So nothing rough touching baby's sensitive skin. The diapers actually breath better this way causing less rashes as long as changed in an appropriate time frame.

The negatives...

The poop. Isn't that whats on everyones mind? Well exclusively breastfed babies poop can even go directly into the washer without the need of washing off. It's water soluble! If baby is on formula or solids it's easily washed off without ever needing to touch it. Then last but not least... you have to carry some soiled diapers around with you, till you get home and they can be washed or put in the diaper bin. 

Washing cycles and diaper strips. Roughly a normal wash routine requires a pre rinse then a long hot wash. No heat on the dryer or hanging outside to dry equals longer dry times depending on the diaper.  And strips can take a few hours with all the diapers in a soak before a wash cycle.

They are bulky and can still leak. What diaper is not prone to some leaking. Sh!% happens.. Bulk is another issues not all clothes are cloth diaper friendly especially if baby has a large bum to begin with.

Resources:
Friends. Brooke, Brittaney and Rose between the 3 of them have 5+ years of cloth diaper experience

.

Live strong article by Amber Keefer.
Live Strong