Diaper butt is probably the cutest thing going. I love those little pudgy turkey legs and puffy tush on my little BB. So freakin' cute.
I've been considering cloth diapering from the jump- if you ask some pf my friends (I'm talking to you, Blake) they might say I only want to do this because I like to be difficult. This is true. I DO like to be difficult. I also like to get the full experience out of life and trying to do what I can to use OG products. What's more OG that cloth diapers?
I'm also a girl who likes to be well informed. Shopping for cloth diaps is no easy task these days. When it comes to shopping, I'm really a toucher and a feeler. I need Venn Diagrams or charts so I can see what features are available. So what does the Interwebs have to offer on the subject? I lot of narratives- people review the things and abandon all grammar rules (I feel a posting dedicated SOLELY to the importance of the paragraph break- like seriously- how about learning a simple html code. How tough is that? I mean really...)
I digress.
So, since there are only a few local stores who offer them in store- which I plan to check this out sometime this week- I spent four hours researching this stuff last night only to wake up in cold sweats because of my circumstances.
So let's get to the root of why I want cloth diapers.
1. The cost- since I'm leaning toward the prefold, Snappi, diaper cover system...it really would rack up how much we'd save over time (read: money left for candy and soda.)
2. I like to be difficult.
3. Instant pants! Seriously, have you see these?
Please note: I really couldn't care less about the environmental impact- it's just a bonus.
So here would be the reasons NOT to get these jawns:
1. My mom is going to be my primary care giver. If she's not OK with changing these (and therefore prepping/storing the dirties in a waterproof bag all day) then I have to send BB with disposables...so what would be the point to be a part time clother? I keep reading about how much babies LOVE change...*dripping sarcasm* I don't mind sending a disposable every now and then along with a sitter but is asking my mom to participate too much?
2. I'm basically pretty lazy. Part of the allure of the disposables is that they're...disposable. You throw them out and that's it! But with cloth scraping poo into the tullet and having a very specific routine to keep these bad boys clean will be a must. So how many prefolds will we have to buy so I'm only doing diaper laundry once a week? (There's a local diaper service that washes my diaps for $15 a week- worth it?)
3. I am just bored again? Do I always NEED a project that I'm only half heartedly committed to?
Halp! Who knows more about this stuff than I?
Comments
Don't get wrapped up into all of the lingo, and the cloth obsessed freaky people that collect them like stamps. There are just diapers. Yes - some are cuter than others... but function is what you are looking for. Start small. Start with prefolds (24 to start with) and Covers (6 to start with). This is perfect to get you started for cheap, and make the most sense because some of the one-size pocket diapers are pricey and they don't fit right away. Once the baby is tipping the scales at 8+ lbs... you can try out some other types of diapers that function just like disposables. Buy two of one kind at a time and see what you like (momsmilkboutique.com has free shipping for ANY order). They all fit babies differently. Whatever you don't like - sell on Craigslist, or diaperswappers.com.
Caregivers: Your mom will never notice the difference. Most of the pocket diapers function just like disposables. Get a wetbag... all she needs to do is toss them in there and you can take care of them when you get home. No muss, no fuss for her. Breastfed babies poop doesn't even need to be rinsed off of diapers anyway. It's water soluble. Once the baby moves to solids - you use liners. I promise that you will never touch poop. On purpose, anyway. :) (BTW, disposables are not supposed to be disposed of with poop in them. NO human waste is supposed to end up in landfills. Federal law. The diaper companies even state it on the side of their packaging.)
Laundry isn't even that difficult. 2 - 3 extra loads a week. Get Cloth Diaper safe detergent (researched online), and follow a simple routine (Pinstripes and Polka Dots page is helpful). Pre-stuff the pocket diapers when you are watching TV at night, and you are done.
There are so many resources to help you out. I think you will find that it is so much easier than you think - and it beats having to run out to the store to get diapers all of the time. Good Luck!
BUT - to answer your question... The diaper service we started out with gave us 70 prefolds each week. But - they used industrial washers and dryers.
* We have 16 diaps, some bumGenius and some FuzziBunz. Love them both. We do wash just about every other day (less than every 48 hours).
* We store the diaps in a dry pail that gets a little smelly. The liner we put in the pail is also washable; we through it in with the diaps.
* Poop stains.
* Cloth diaps are unspeakably adorable.
* I really REALLY love the whole process, and I am not sure why. I do love the environmental impact, but maybe it is just the diaper butt.