It was while I was working at a local daycare that I had my first encounter with the new and improved cloth diapers. I was only a few months pregnant and at that point had not considered cloth diapers. These diapers changed everything!
To be honest I hadn't considered cloth diapers because the work of trying to get it folded right, then on evenly, then pinned (without pinning the baby), than that ugly plastic cover over the diapers just made me exhausted thinking about it. The new diapers were different.
These new diapers had snaps and a little pocket to insert a pad to absorb waste. They were fun with different colors and designs. I was intrigued, but not interested enough to really educate myself on them.
Then one day I saw a picture of a friends baby wearing these diapers. I immediately sent her a message (my friend... not the baby) and started asking questions. I'm grateful for the time she spent answering my questions. She even shared with me the best ones for the best value. It is because of the time my friend spent with me that we have been able to save money.
Let me break down my likes, dislikes, what I've learned, what I wish I had really known in advance, etc.
1. We have already saved a ton of money and Joseph is only four months old.
2. We do use disposable diapers when we leave the house. We do it mostly for our own convenience. They do sell nice little lined bags to put soiled diapers in while traveling. These also come in some pretty cutters patterns.
3. It is imperative that you be able to wash at least every other day. I have learned this the hard way. The diapers get clean, but the stink stays. Do not fret if something like this happens. I have successfully rewashed diapers like this after re soaking them in sole detergent and vinegar. Ideally it helps to be able to line dry them outside, but if you live in the north like myself that is sometimes difficult.
4. Alva is the brand I went with. You get your best bang for your buck with them. The upfront cost is hefty, but totally worth the savings in the end. I was registered on Amazon.com, so I actually received some as gifts which also helped us save. They are a really great brand. I've not had any issue with the quality of the product at all and truly they are the most economical. They also have a huge selection of patterns. If you like their Facebook page you have the opportunity to give input on new patterns and products. It's kind of nice.
5. The one thing I really wish I had known was that you have to purchase a separate diaper for newborns. The reason is you need a diaper that will rest under the umbilical cord. They do have these as cloth diapers, but we chose not to invest since the time our son was in that size was so fleeting that we chose to do disposable for that very small period. (Not to mention we were at a disadvantage since we didn't figure this out until after he was born)
6. The work to maintain the diapers is not really that difficult. I gather all the diapers. I pull out the inserts. All inserts and diapers that are only soaked with urine go in to a bucket I have set aside. I pull the inserts out of all the poopy diapers. Those join the other items in the bucket. I than take the dirty diapers and rinse them in the laundry room sink. There are gadgets you can buy that connect to your toilet that allow you to spray the dirty ones immediately, but if your washing them every other day you really do not need it. The diapers spray out fairly easy and I have yet to get sick from doing this. I'm sure my process will change when my sons bowel movements become more firm. Once the diapers have been dried I put an insert in them right away so I'm not struggling with this while in the midst of a diaper change. My son takes too much pleasure in aiming and firing.
7. I did buy a diaper pail for the nursery and a couple of reusable cloth bags. Both items are from Dekko. The diaper pail has a double door system. It truly does keep the smells enclosed inside. It's pretty amazing. Downstairs though we use just a small garbage can with a lid. It does a decent job of keeping the smells at a minimum. If there is a diaper that I know is going to be particularly heavy with stink I make the effort to run it upstairs. It's good exercise anyway.
Overall, my experience has been pretty positive. I am sharing a link for the Alva diapers. Check out their fun patterns.
Do you use cloth diapers for your baby? What has been your experience with them?
