I made the switch to cloth!
Feb 07 '00
It's been a year this week since I made the switch to cloth diapers. Ten years ago when my daughter was a baby, she wore disposables from birth despite my mother's attempts to push me to cloth by purchasing those lovely store-bought prefold diapers (which ended up being useful for burp rags). When my son was born 19 months ago, we used disposables yet again. Why? I just didn't know there were such great options out there!
In January of 1999 I began hearing discussions about cloth diapers. I thought these people were crazy! I remembered my mother soaking diapers in the toilet and how disgusting it all seemed. The more they talked about it though, the more left out I felt. So I embarked on a journey on the world wide web to find out everything I could. Wow! What options! I spent at least 30 hours doing research on cloth diapers. I spent time discussing the decision with my husband. He had no opinion but I was ready to make the leap... so I placed my first order. I did more research on washing methods and who to buy from and who to avoid and what types of diapers were good and which diapers weren't so hot. I placed four orders my first week and then I waited for them to arrive.
Now I must say... these aren't your grandmother's cloth diapers or even your mother's cloth diapers we are talking about! While there are some people who do choose to use prefolds and pins, I am not one of them. I ordered some lovely flannel diapers with velcro closures. These diapers are designed like disposables but they can be washed and re-used. When my first shipment arrived, I was hooked. I washed them up in preparation for use and we never looked back.
Aside from one paper diaper that my son had to wear to be taken into surgery, he has been in cloth diapers full time since we made the switch a year ago... even on vacation, even during his hospital stay, and even overnight every night!
Why did I get hooked so fast? The reasons to use cloth vary for each individual. My son had not experienced rashes in disposables though we did occasionally encounter those horrible gel balls. While the financial and ecological reasons did factor into the decision, neither was my primary motivation. We did have leaks in disposables very often so this was also part of my decision. My main reason for choosing cloth, though, was my son's comfort. Would I like to wear paper underwear? I don't think so!
Today's cloth diapers are available with velcro or snap closures and are just as easy to use as disposable diapers. There is no soaking required either. I did the research and found the perfect diaper washing method for me. I learned what to do and what not to do. I use a dry diaper pail so there is no heavy lugging to the laundry room. I put the diapers in the machine and away we go... simple!
Switching is one thing... getting hooked is something completely different. The look of cloth diapers is so much cuter. You can get a variety of prints and solid colors. You can find diapers to match outfits or pajamas. You can get different fabrics, different textures. And more and more choices become available every day. Why is this important to me? I guess because I can honestly say that I enjoy changing my son's diapers. It's not a chore for me. I enjoy washing and folding diapers too. These are not chores either. Cloth diapering has made my parenting experience so much richer. It feels so much more natural. I guess this might all sound crazy to some, but to any cloth diaper addict, it just makes sense.
So I am a loyal cloth diaper user. Why?
1) My son is more comfortable wearing cotton on his bottom than paper.
2) Cloth diapers don't leave red marks on his legs or anywhere else.
3) There are no horrible chemicals or gels touching his skin.
4) We have no leaks while wearing cloth.
5) We deposit poop in the toilet where it belongs so it does not end up
in the landfill where it doesn't belong.
6) Diapering is fun for us and there is nothing cuter than a
cloth-diapered bum!
For anyone out there who is hesitant, just remember... this is a new cloth diaper era. The choices are out there. Do the research... the diapers available in mainstream America will not work well. If you want a successful cloth diaper experience, the best place to find supplies is on the internet. Today's cloth diapers are just as easy to use as any disposable and they are much cuter! Cloth diapering can change your life... it did for me in the most wonderful ways.
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Member: Dina
Location: Pennsylvania
Reviews written: 178
Trusted by: 188 members
About Me:
Going through a lot of changes these days! Life is good!
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