Help me want to USE the cloth diapers I bought!

[kalishea]

My DS is now 3 weeks old! I planned on using sposies in the beginning while I got down being a mom (and use the diapers I got as gifts) but now I am thinking how hard it is going to be to not just throw the dirty dipes away! I bought prefolds and covers that might start to fit him now, I am just having a hard time wanting to get them out! I also was going to buy some AIO's once things got settled and am not sure if I want to do that now either! Can you please help me and remind me why I wanted to CD in the first place!?

[inky leeuhhh]

i dont think throwing a cd into the diaper pail and tossing that in the wash every couple days is much harder than tossing it in the garbage. if the prefolds are scaring you, you can always just fold them in thirds and place them in the cover. some people are intimidated by the pins and snappis. after you get into a groove you start feeling great about getting to walk past the diaper isle in the grocery store. after dd2 was born it took me a couple weeks to find the cd love just because i was so tired and busy trying to get to know my nb, but now im as into it as i was with dd1 ( who i didn't start to cd till maybe 3 mos). start in a little at a time and you'll get the hang of it!

[lifeguard]

It does take a couple days to get into a rhythm with the cd's (I use prefolds & covers) but once you get a system it's not harder than disposables.

Plus: it's healthier, cheaper, better for the environment, look cuter.

[MrsChickenhead]

Just get one out and put it on him. It'll be so cute and comfy looking on him that you won't want to go back to sposies.

[Shy0717]

Eh, we had the same problem. We used sposies the first 2 weeks of his life because honestly I had way too much going on to be worried about cding. Now we have slowly started phasing them in. We use cds at home and we've got some sposies that we use when we're on the go. I haven't quite gotten a system down so I don't trust myself to cd when we're out and about quite yet.

[SuzyLee]

I tried CD's at 3 weeks and it was a disaster. I quit and tried again later. Oh well, you know? You have the diapers already, so just try them for a few days, then quit if you hate it. You don't need to feel guilty about it. You will have plenty of other thigns to feel guilty about as a mom, so let this one go!

[Gabes Mommy]

It does take a few days to get into a routine, but once you do, it's not much different. Instead of throwing it away, you put the diaper in the pail, and wash every so often (for me it's every 2-3 days). I would say not to start until you are ready though. If you get too overwhelmed and don't love it, you won't do it. Once you begin, remember that every cloth diaper you use is a sposie you DIDN'T have to buy. Saves $$$

[3daughters]

Cloth diapers are soft against babies skin.

Cloth diapers do not contain any toxins.Cloth diapers do not crinkle on your babies butt.

Cloth diapers do not smell like heavy perfume.

Cloth diapers do not fill landfills.

Cloth diapers do not need to be dragged home from the drugstore/supermarket on a regular basis.

Cloth diapers do not cost you a minimum of $8 per pack.

Cloth diapers are easy to store in a bin and throw into the machine every few days.

Clean cloth diapers give you a sense of satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

Cloth diapers attract attention .

[3daughters]

Oh, and I didn't mention the lack of blow out diapers that are so common with disposables. The runny breastfeeding poo actually stays in the diaper or cover and doesn't end up up baby's back and clothing! Thats a big plus!

[Carlin]

My baby is 3 weeks old too, and we've been using fitteds and covers since day one. I love them, and it's super easy. I say just go for it and after you've made it through the learning curve, you'll be really happy you did!

[dagny.galt]

I was having the same trouble with CDing my little one, born 6/6, then I realized something. Every leak or blow-out we've had has been with a sposie. Even though I've had to master the pins and Snappis and get the hang of prefold folding, we still haven't had worse than a small mess on the inside of the cover. With the sposies, ds leaked pee all over my best friend's lap, poo all over another good friend, and both on more changes of his/my clothes than I can count.

That's the biggest reason for me, in addition to all of the great reasons above.

I'd say, give yourself a time span that you'll ONLY use cloth, say mornings or afternoons or most of the day if you're up to it, and then DO IT. No exceptions. Just put a cloth dipe on him and keep it up. Once you get the hang of it, expand the span a bit until you're doing it all day, then nights. This is what I've been doing, and ds is now in cloth except for nap/nights (and only because he wakes himself up if he wets even a smidgen in the cloth).

[phrogger]

The biggest reason I have stuck with the CD is I have only had a mess with disposibles. I haven't had a single leak on me or the carseat with the CD, but I have had such huge messes with the disposibles.

Oh and the washing is so easy, I had really almost freaked myself out at the idea of having to wash the diapers, but honeslty, I am doing it daily instead of every couple of days because it is really that easy.

[~savah~]

When I started out I set a goal of three months. It did take a little while to get into my routine, but once I did I never looked back. I have used disposables every once in a while and every time I do, I am so happy that we stuck with the cloth . So suggestion is to set a little mini goal, and for all the reasons PP's listed above, you will be happy you made the switch.

[Teenytoona]

You'll get there. It's just a matter of creating a routine. We've been primarily using CD's since DD was born. It's my DH's first time using them (she's #5 for him) and he tells everyone how much easier, nicer etc they are. No running out and having to book it to the store, just wash them when getting low. He also remarks on how much healthier her diaper area is than the other kids' were. She's had a few minor rashes in her 16 months, but usually that was after wearing sposies for a spell.

besides, they are so stinkin' cute. Just cute. You can't get over the cuteness of them!

[kalishea]

Thanks for all the motivating replies! I think I will wash some and try it! I just hope I can learn to fold and snappi!

[dagny.galt]

Originally Posted by kalishea

Thanks for all the motivating replies! I think I will wash some and try it! I just hope I can learn to fold and snappi!

Eh, the snappi's easy...I had a lot more trouble with pinning 'til my snappis came in the mail. And folding just takes a bit of practice and willingness to try various options. It took me all of three dipes to learn that the bikini twist works much better for my ds's shape than the trifold-in-cover or angel fold approach. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

You can do it, really!! And you'll be so glad you did!!

[sandy'smama]

I second all the above reasons and remember it soooo much easier to hold a small baby with a bulky "bum" it does not slide out of your arms so easily!!!