C is for Cloth Diapers!
Posted on: August 5, 2024 | Babies, Business, Children, Diapers, Famillies, Information
Cloth diapers…AAAAAH!!! Where does the poop go?
(In the toilet)
OMG, I can’t believe you wash that in your washing machine.
(The same way you clean puke, dirty underwear, period panties, bed-wetting sheets, etc.)
Wait…that’s not how I remember them!
(I know right?! Look at how cute and easy cloth diapers are now!)
I wanted to hone in on the cloth diaper world when I had my first child. Then, I decided that becoming a mom would be a big enough change, so I held off. When I was pregnant with my second child, I knew that I would dive all in this time.
I was excited. My friends and family, were skeptical.
I love a good challenge. At my baby shower, I made a bet jar. The shower-goers had the opportunity to guess how long I would keep at cloth diapering. The wagers chipped in $20 apiece. The winner would get the whole pot. I happily took that bet. The bets ranged from 1 week to 3 months. That was it. That’s how much they all believed in me! If I outlasted the longest bet, I got to keep the bets.
Well, I lasted for 6 years!
That’s right. I went on to cloth diaper my last 3 children; and I ended up saving ALOT of money by doing so. On average families spend anywhere from $1500+ a year, per child on diapers. The average cloth diapering family spends $1000 on diapering for the entire time there child is in diapers. Not only do cloth diapers cut down on the non-decomposable waste in our landfills, they also are eco-friendly with organic and bamboo fabrics, reuseable and resaleable, and encourage utilizing the solar heat from the sun.
Cloth Diapers can be intimidating for the newly intrigued.
The good news is that cloth diapers have evolved so much over the decades! Utilizing snaps and hook and loop closures, instead of safety pins provides to prevent baby being poked with a pin. Diapers that are already shaped like a diaper, as an alternative for flat diapers that need folding create ease of use. There’s a plethora of information on the web from FAQs to 101s and from fun prints to customizable and one-of-a-kind patterns. Companies like Bebeboo Diapers, offer information, classes, and consultations to help aid in your journey.
Cloth Diapers Can Be Fun!
I encourage you to take a leap into exploring the world of cloth diapers. Believe it or not, It’s addicting! Whether you’re matching diapers to outfits or celebrating with holiday diapers, a ‘fluffy butt’ brings joy!
Cloth diapers have made its way back into mainstream, that in 2011, The Great Cloth Diaper Change was planted. The Great Cloth Diaper Change (GCDC) is a worldwide cloth diaper changing challenge helping to promote the benefits of cloth diapering. In the inaugural year of 2011, A Guinness World Record™ was set for the “most people changing (cloth) diapers simultaneously…” with 5,026 participant pairs at 127 locations in 5 countries!
Cloth Diapers 101
Types of Cloth Diapers:
All-in-Ones- Diapers that are one unit with the cover and pad sewn together. Pro: Easy to use and change. Con: You must carry a few for changes, and you cannot change absorbency.
Pocket Diapers- Diapers that have an outer covering with a pocket insert to add pads of absorbancy of one’s choosing. Pro: It can be adjusted to absorb day to night, and the outer covering can be changed to match outfits. Con: It can add bulking, so clothes may need to be sized up.
Newborn Diapers- An itty bitty diaper sized for a new baby with an umbilical cord cut out. Pro: Fits the newborn baby snuggly and helps protect against diaper rashes. Con: The baby may grow out of the diaper fast as it’s small.
Pre-Folds and Covers– These diapers resemble old-school cloth diapers; however, they are already folded into the diaper shape. You do need to utilize a closure feature like a snappy, Velcro, or safety pin. Prefolds are used with covers. Pro: The covers can be used more than once, saving room in the diaper bag. Con: They may take a learning curve; you must use a cover to protect the surroundings from the output.
Flats- These diapers are your classic old-school cloth diapers. They are flat pieces of absorbancy that are folded into the shape of a diaper and put on the baby. Some use covers, some use wooly pants, and some use nothing to cover the diaper. Pro: These diapers are back to basics; many can be put in a diaper bag. Con: They take a learning curve
