why no books about CDing?

[bamsmom]

Hello there! I'm new to the CDing world...my 3yo DS has been exclusively sposie'd but we're expecting #2 this winter and would really like to CD. I asked my CDing cousin where to start and she directed me to diaperswappers.com, which looks like a great site, but it's all so overwhelming...so many choices...where do I start?! I'm a bit of a bookworm so I much prefer books to researching on the Internet (and it's more convenient for me, as I can take a book to whatever room DS is playing in and be more "present", immediately available to play or read or whatever he needs as opposed to being glued to the computer researching all day!) Why are there no books available about cloth diapering? I found one (The Cloth Diapering Handbook) that appears to be exactly what I'm looking for, but I can't find a hard copy of it, only an "e-book", which I'm assuming would mean I either have to read it on the computer or use a bunch of my printer ink to print it all out and then find some way to bind it. Does anybody have any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance for any tips!

[hoping42]

I had not seen that e-book - I checked it out and there is a way to buy the printed book and have it sent to you for $26 (http://www.motherhoodnaturally.com/CDH_Buy.htm)

The only other one I have come across is another print it yourself version for $37
http://www.ultimateguidetoclothdiapers.com

I also found one at Amazon but it is from 2003 and I think there have been lots of changes since then Diaper Changes, 3rd Edition: The Complete Diapering Book and Resource Guide [Paperback] for $12.95 I am guessing that you have seen the Mothering magazine devoted to cloth diapering (can order here at Mothering if you have not seen it) it has lots of good resources and links at the end of the article. It looks like someone is gathering info to write such a book and asking for people to take a survey: http://www.clothdiaperbook.com/Cloth...Book/Home.html

I'll be checking back on this post to see if there is any new info - I had wanted to read one myself and only found a few pages here and there in other baby books. I have learned a lot at Autumn's blog http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/ and at diaperswappers - but be warned it is addicting! My newborn is due in 2 weeks so we shall see if what I learned is sufficient - but it seems this board and DS have plenty of folks to ask quetions when difficulties arise.

[Ola_]

I think one thing with the cloth diapers that are available on the market is that the selection changes so much so quickly. So if someone were to write a book I bet the content would be pretty stale even by the time it got published, never mind if it sat on the shelves for a couple of years!

But plenty of people have put up how-to guides on their website/blog and descriptions of the different diapers available, etc. And if you are interested, there are those "try cloth for $X" deals available so you can use a bunch of different kinds and return them before you decide what to invest in.

[jimblejamble]

$37 for an eBook?! Yikes.

Just make a small order on Green Mountain Diapers and they send a big pamphlet with tons of information, including how to wash all the different styles of diapers. You could just order a few cloth wipes or something form them and they'll send it along with your order.

[ChetMC]

Couple Reasons

I agree that a lot of the product information changes too fast.

I also think that coming up with enough content for a whole book would be a bit of a stretch. You really don't need 175 pages to discuss the topic comprehensively.

And yeah, everything that would go into a book is available online for free.

[bamsmom]

Wow, thanks everybody for the responses! I do realize that the selection for cloth diapers changes all the time, making it difficult to keep a book up-to-date, but when I read this review of The Cloth Diapering Handbook http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.c...-handbook.html it seemed to contain enough pertinent info to make an entire book...it was just what I was looking for as a total newbie, anyway!
I know there are great places online to find CDing info (thanks for the suggestions, hoping42...I'll be checking those out!), but I only have so much time to sit in front of the computer, as my 3yo DS no longer takes naps, thusly the only totally free time I have is after he goes to bed at 7:30 or 8 pm (and I'm pregnant so I get tired pretty early!)

Thanks again for the suggestions, mamas! I'm looking forward to my cloth diapering adventure!