Okay, off subject for a sec…
YAY! I did it! I just went online to wildflower diapers and bought cloth diapers! When I was first pregnant I thought about cloth diapers vs. disposable and I really considered both options. But then I started getting disposable diapers as gifts, and didn’t need to buy diapers until Jane was about 4 months old… which… stopped me from thinking too much about it because they were free!
So this last week or two (for some weird reason) I have become a little more environmentally conscious. For instance, every time I use a paper towel, every time I take my extremely long showers, keep the water running while brushing my teeth etc. etc. I feel guilty! So I have been thinking a lot about switching over to cloth diapers, buying cloth napkins and taking shorter showers 
Yesterday I was at my friend Kathryn’s house and she uses cloth diapers (and cloth napkins…) and so I started quizzing her on why she likes them and why she uses them. Anyways, I watched her change her sons diaper and she showed me how EASY it is! I was really impressed. So, I asked Zach last night whether or not I could spend the money and he agreed (as long as I stick with the cloth diapers!) So I bought some this morning! WOO HOO! Even though I haven’t started using them yet, I already feel better. I feel this crazy sense of accomplishment. Anyhoo… just thought I would share my excitement!
Average cost of diapers a year per child: $800
I spent $203 for 12 cloth diapers (you do have to run laundry every 2-3 days which will be every 2 days for me because I only bought 12) I may need a few more but wanted to test these out first!
My friend only used 12 for her daughter who is now potty trained. And the 12 lasted from newborn to potty trained. (and now she handed them off to her friend and they are still great!) Crazy cool. And the Bum Genius are cool because they are one size fits all (there are size adjustments on them)! SWEET!
Do any of you use cloth diapers? How do you like them?
Are any of you considering cloth diapers? What’s your hesitation?
I would love to hear your thoughts!
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Congratulations on switching over! My son has been in cloth diapers since he was a couple of months old. I love them! Bum Genius is our favorite brand — so cute and easy. They will have a longer life if you air dry them, plus sunshine help keep them cleaner. (Our neighbors think they are adorable hanging on the line.) If you decide you want more, sometimes they sell “seconds” at a much discounted price at http://www.cottonbabies.com. Good luck!
GOOD FOR YOU!! I feel that same guilt but I wasn’t able to stomach the cloth diapers. I am feeling like the biggest wimp for it. I tried a trial run with cloth but swishing the solids in the toilet made me gag every time. Then I got pregnant again and morning sickness got the better of me. So, I applaud you and really hope it all works out. In the meantime we buy “environmentally sensitive” diapers made from corn and it takes the edge off my guilt. Although, deep down I know I am not doing the right thing. Maybe, when this baby comes I can get over it and get serious about cloth.
We are expecting baby #3 and I just ordered some Fuzzibunz. This is baby #3 and I’m finally making the switch. My main hesitation has been my mother, who has been a modern working woman my entire life. I was born right around the time “regular” people could afford disposable diapers and cloth diapering was pretty old news. Even now she has no idea why I would “do this to myself.” From everything I’ve researched this will be millions of times better than her experiences. Maybe she’ll come around when she sees how easy it is. I’m really excited, I’ll have to let you know when I start using them in March!
Ashley
I used cloth diapers on my youngest son from two weeks on and all my foster babes. I love them, they are so easy and it is nice to not have the reoccuring cost and last minute….oops I am out of diapers dash to the store. I didn’t like Bum Genius as much but they weren’t terrible or anything. I preferred Happy Heiny’s (especially the one-size) and Fuzzi Bunz. I tend to have Chunky Monkeys and my son grew out of the Bum Genius’ at just a year but my two year old foster son is slim and still fits in them easily (go figure). When I started out, I purchased a few different kinds (Fuzzi Bunz, Bum Genius and HH) and then invested in more of the type I liked best. Some people hate snaps, others hate the velcro, everyone is different. What ever you do, buy extra inserts so when they start wetting more you can double and/or triple up!
Anyways, go for it…..it sounds scary and/or gross but it is actually so easy and I converted a lot of our friends! Sometimes, when
Very cool! My mother used cloth diapers for my brother and I. Cloth diapers are not only better for the environment they are also better for your baby. Cloth diaper babies get less diaper rash because their little bottoms can breathe easier and you know to change them right away. There are also diaper services http://www.diapernet.org/ that do all the washing for you and supply you with fresh clean diapers. They don’t have them everywhere but if you live in a city chances are there is one near by. My mom also got back to her before pregnancy body because she didn’t have a dryer and with two little ones in diapers she spent a lot of time doing squats as she hung the diapers on the line!
It’s good to know that moms today are going back to cloth diapers. I’m not a mommy yet but I plan on doing the same.
I love cloth diapers. They are so easy. I use fuzzi bunz and love them. Medium fits my girls all the way through. Your blog has inspired me! It’s my push to go get mine from the attic… due in 2 weeks! Go you!
Oh, and another way I save money is by cutting wipes in half. Like double for your money
Great idea Kiera! I never thought about cutting wipes in half! I know my friend buys the biggest liners and cuts those in half… so I’m totally going to copy both of you!
Mara, I don’t think you should feel guilty about using disposable diapers. Everyone has different needs, and it’s ridiculous to let diapers make you feel bad. I understand that they have flushable rice paper inserts so you don’t have to swish, which is the only way I could even consider cloth diapers.
Hooray! I, too, use cloth diapers and love them. I have many more than 12 diapers in my stash, but not so many that I never use them, either. (I think I have about 24 diapers that fit my son right now.) My experiences sound a lot like Debye’s, and I like the advice to buy “seconds.”
(LOL. NO swishing is involved these days, but I bet Kathryn filled you in on that.)
I really appreciate the guilt-free-living comment, because guilt stinks, and sposies aren’t so bad, but I also appreciate your efforts to live green. I am trying to use cloth napkins more consistently, too, and walk almost everwhaere, and cut down on packaging on the stuff I buy, and…
Congrats on the cloth dipes. You’ll never go back. And then you’ll also want to convince everyone you know to use them. So many peeps are scared of the poop and the washing but it really is so easy and sooo worth it. Also, I bet your baby won’t get any diaper rash like those poor sposie-diapered babies do. Mine has never had it and he’s 19 months old. Love them!
Congrats! I started using cloth when my daughter was 5 mo old. She is now 7 yrs. My boys (4 yrs and 5 mo) never had a disposable on in their lives. I feel so much better about cloth and I love shopping for them. I’ve tried at least 40 different brands out there (did you know there are hundreds??) and it is sort of an addiction. I can’t say that I’ve saved tons of money because of my addiction, but I still think it is worth it because I’m not filling up the land-fill, and my babies don’t have chemicals cradling their parts:) Good for you. I hope you love them:) Word of caution–Bum Genius don’t fit my chunky babies very well, so don’t give up, and don’t be afraid to try a different brand if those don’t work for you:) My kids have never had a rash, and they’ve never had “blow-outs” either!
Oh and PS get some cheap wash cloths or scraps of fabric cut in squares or some sort of cloth wipe too. They clean a baby bum SOO much better/easier than baby wipes and if you are washing the diapers, you may as well wash the wipes right along with them:)
CONGRATS in switching. I actually just made the switch about 2 months ago. My son is now 13 months and I will never go back to disposables. I simply love cloth diapers. I only have one son and when he was born and even before I thought I would never use cloth but then I was like you just environmentally conscious and sick of spending money on disposables and just throwing them away. I’m decided to use GroBaby cloth diapers. They are also a one-size cloth diaper. I simply love them. When I tell my friends that I made the switch or talk to people about how easy cloth diapers are they give me a weird look. Oh, but if they only new how easy they really were. I truly believe if people gave cloth diapers a chance they would realize how simple they really are and that it really isn’t all that disgusting.
Ok. I’m thinking about trying them since reading all this, but I’m new to the idea. What are tehse cloth inserts? how do you wash the diapers? Do you just hand wash all the poopy ones? That sort of makes me want to gag. What do you do when you are “out” and you need to change your kid?
Excuse my ignorance. First baby. addicted to the convenience of Huggies and not very enviromentally conscious.
I used cloth diapers with my twins 7 years ago. I really enjoyed the simplicity of prefolds with snappis and Bummis covers. I had some AIOs and Fuzzi Bunz for fun, but the prefolds are unbeatable with simplicity, effectiveness, and price. I Cd’ed my #3 and #4 part time until the amount of laundry was overwhelming, and adding even one or two loads a week was just too much.
Have fun with the diapers. There is a sort of zen you experience when you see a slack of freshly washed diapers all ready to be worn.