Cloth or Disposable?
Cloth wipe, paper towel, or packaged?
Insert? Doubler? Liner?
Pouch, prefold?
Wool?
Charcoal?
Hemp?
Microfleece?
Cotton?
Organic Cotton?
Bamboo?
HELLLPPPP!!!
Thus it goes for many people interested in cloth diapering.
Our reasons for cloth diapering:
Money-Around $50+/week on average for disposables for two boys: not happening. Yes, we might pay more for water, spend more time, but I'm home and thus far the investment has paid off.
Ecology: I'm not a fan of buying something that won't decompose and adds to trash. Plus, the little I've read about the chemicals that are in the disposables touching my babies skin...I'd rather not. I haven't been able to budget out enough for chemical-free or organic disposables when we travel, but maybe one day.
We started out with Flip and Econobum diaper covers, (Our favorites, find them here )based on a friends recommendation and gift. As for inserts, we have everything from charcoal, hemp/bamboo combo, microfleece, and some I don't even know anymore. You've got to figure out what works for your family.
we have a bunch of G-diapers, but our boys soak through them fairly quickly, and taking out the plastic liners before drying was more tedious than what I wanted from my routine.
my favorite if we could afford it: Blueberry Diapers
I only have one thus far, but it's been great for my heavy-pee boys for nighttime and naps.
We also use cloth wipes made from old receiving blankets, but I've bought a few pre-made sets as well. Check out hereif you're interested in ordering, though they aren't hard to sew up if you have the inclination!
Downsides to be aware of when cloth diapering
I have yellow gloves to swish dirty diapers around in the toilet to get as much as I can off, and then I have a bucket for everything to soak until I do a load in the washer. With running around with two children, more often than not, there isn't time to put gloves on. And sometimes boys can be curious about buckets in the shower (although usually the door is shut for safety of the little guy) and wonder what else can be thrown inside.
*For you essential oil users--a drop of Lemon, Melaleuca, or Eucalyptus in the bucket can be helpful for cleaning and absorbing smell, as well as the same in the washer*
I'm actually pretty good with the smell of urine. It's something I've gotten used to. However, last year with diapers added onto morning sickness, every load was a challenge to do, and my hard-working husband often came home to a waiting load that he would do so I wouldn't have to. ah, Love.
You need to be aware of how many diapers you have left and know when you need to start a load so you don't run out before they're washed (which usually is a hot load with detergent, and then cold to rinse and second time) and dried (twice with these apartment dryers and the thick inserts). Ideally, we like to have a box of disposables on hand for those times when we wake up and go, 'hmm. three diapers left'. Those boxes usually last a few months, but they're only there when we can afford them.
For us, it all comes down to stewardship: how can you use what you've been given, knowing that it isn't yours in the first place? God has blessed us most richly with a job for Travis that pays our bills, and enables me to stay home with our boys. Two boys that give us joy and push us further towards the Throne of Grace in sanctification. Each other. For the life we've chosen to lead and the priorities that follow, cloth diapering naturally followed, and the extra laundry and folding is worth it.
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