[Phoebe]

Hi all,

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and I'm trying to imagine how I'm going to do things when the baby gets here. I have ALWAYS wanted to use cloth diapers. I believe in them environmentally, plus it seems that they would be cheaper.
Every single person I metion it to that I want to cloth diaper, they say "Oh no way." I've heard all sorts of reasons from, its actually cheaper to use disposable, to the daycare won't use them anyway and you will find it's too much work.

A. Do I HAVE to use a diapler service? Can't I get them properly sanitised at home and rash free?
B. I probably will have to go back to work so I'm planning on daycare. No, they probably won't use them while they're there but can't I at home?
C. I really don't think I'll find it that much work. I'm willing to do it! (of course this is coming from someone who has no children except from the one in utero!)

Please give me some info and positive advise on cloth diapering...no one else seems to have any!

Thanks,
Amy

 

[ChiknGirl]

You can do it! Rah! Rah!

A. You most certainly do not have to use a diaper service. I enjoy buying and caring for my diapers. Owning your own diapers gives you much more freedom in how they are cared for (I think the diaper services use way too many chemicals which is one of the reasons I chose to use cloth to begin with) and you can buy diaper prints that reflect your or your childs personality.

B. You may be able to find a childcare provider that will use cloth diapers, it certainly isn't unheard of. And even if you don't you can still enjoy all the benefits of cloth at home.

C. It really isn't that much work. And extra load of laundry. I wash diapers every day to every other day and if I'm really busy they get used out of the dryer/laundry basket instead of folded and put away.

This may sound silly but my diapers bring me joy. I enjoy looking at them, what beautiful fabrics! I enjoy how they feel, this one is smooth, this one is fluffy. And I love knowing there is soft cloth on my dd's little bum. I hope you don't let those nay-sayers sway you. Cloth diapering is a wonderful gift to give your child.

 

[HoosierDiaperinMama]

First of all,

Second, congratulations on being

A. Do I HAVE to use a diapler service? Can't I get them properly sanitised at home and rash free?
No. You don't have to use a diaper service. Although if there is one in your area you could give it a try. I don't use a diaper service b/c we don't have one, so I really don't know anything about them. You can properly care for them at home. These mommas have great tips on laundering. Also, read the link at the top of the page. Click here

B. I probably will have to go back to work so I'm planning on daycare. No, they probably won't use them while they're there but can't I at home?
My sitter (not technically a daycare) uses CD's on DS. I also sent him with a pack of sposies just in case but so far she hasn't used any! You might check with your daycare and see what they're willing to do.

C. I really don't think I'll find it that much work. I'm willing to do it! (of course this is coming from someone who has no children except from the one in utero!)
I find it pure joy and not hard work to CD!

Good luck!

 

[mommy2boys]

Amy,
You sound like you have a lot of desire to cloth diaper. In the recources section up on the top there is a link to a mothering article about cloth diapering that is very informative. You have a lot of time to do some research, decide what you want and how much money you are willing to spend.
I don't find it that much more work, and really enjoy it. Welcome to the diapering board, the women here are great and have so much information. And congrats on the baby thats coming.

 

[mothergooseofthree]

I used sposie with one baby and then discovered cloth with my youngest. I LOVE using cloth. You can do it.

I bought and wash my own dipes. It is NOT cheaper to use sposies. I can use my dipes and then resale them either here on the TP or on ebay and make back a large part of my investment.

You can always say that your baby is allergic to sposies and supply your daycare with AIOs (all in ones) for convienence. Washing is no big deal, I do an extra load of laundry every 2 or 3 days, which is easier than washing the sheets, car seat cover, high chair cover, swing cover, bouncy seat cover, etc.....from the never ending leaks we had with sposies.

It is not hard. I never have leaks. I LOVE IT!!!!

I am actually quite obsessed, just ask dh.

 

[Oklahoma Mama]

Yes, you can do it and it is not hard at all! You may even find that a daycare will use them if you use all-in-one diapers for daycare. All in one diapers are easy on and easy off. You can find ones that close with velcro and some that close with snaps. The only think that daycare would need to do differently is to put the used diapers in a bag you provide instead of the trash.

As far as getting them clean at home you shouldn't have a problem. I use regular laundry soap (about 1/2 the recommened amount) and wash on hot and follow up with an extra rinse or two to make sure all the soap is out. I either hang dry or dry them in the dryer.

Yes, you will continue to hear those comments from people about how crazy you are for cloth diapering. I still get those comments

 

[reeseccup]

i don't see why you couldn't cloth diaper and if you search hard enough you may even find a daycare provider (or center) that will accept cloth if an all in one type diaper. most people that poopoo new moms that wish to cloth diaper don't even have a clue about "modern" cloth diapering. no it's not that much work, and it sure is a pleasure to put something soft and nice smelling on my baby than a stiff crinkly patrolium/perfumed smelling trash bag

ok that was a bit extreme, but i'm feeling that mood right now lol.

as for sanitation, yes you can get them clean enough at home

: and the sun uv rays or the dryers steam heating will kill what germs are left over. if it's a major concern, make sure the diapers you choose are a quick dry or have snap in soakers so that you know they get cleaned, rinsed and dried well. if you are concerned about your baby's health ect and daycare will only accept sposies, there are some "enviromentally' better diapers like tushies or 7th generation ect.

it really is cheeper than sposie use, unless you slip over to the "dark side" lol and become addicted to buying all the pretty dipes for your baby

even so, you can save them for future babies, sell them or even donate if you so desire. Also, show me ONE person that actually LOVES their sposies, will smell them and say ahhhhhhhh, feel them and say soooooooft, look at them and say awwwwwwwwwwww...lol they don't because there really isn't anything really "special" about sposies. I used to dread diaper changes with my other 2 and when I got prego with ds I was so upset because I had for the most part finished up with diapers and was SICK OF THEM, having another baby meant MORE BUTT CHANGES

lol I switched when ds was 2 months because I was sick of how much it was costing to sposie dipe. I soon didn't mind changing and actually looked forward to changing diapers

Anyway, if your truely wish to make it work, you CAN make it work. Just avoid locally sold diapers unless you have a mom that makes them near you. Stick around here and tread carefully not to slip over to the

side. I'm sure there will be a lot more helpful responses than mine, luck and congrats.

 

[kasumi]

You can do this! All I got was wrinkled up noses from people who remembered pins and hot vinyl pants and pails of sloshy diaper muck from the 60s! When I discovered it wasn't that hard I was on my way from the first diaper change! I read everything I could find, haunted diapering boards and shopped carefully.

Dry pailing, nice hot washes and lots of support from other moms online helped keep me going! This even though I have never owned a washer/dryer. We rent and so I lug my wetbags to the commercial machine in another building and then I hang dry on a rack by a window all year around. If I can do it, you can too! It will save you a ton!

 

[RunnerDuck]

Just wondering, did you by any chance get the idea that you couldn't by reading "What to expect the first year?" This book makes that point, but I have not seen it mentioned ANYWHERE else, and there are an awful lot of moms willing and able to cloth diaper at home for me to quite believe it's true.

I am also looking at cloth diapering with zero experience with kids. I think my mother thinks I am crazy... she cloth diapered me but I guess things weren't quite so easy in 1977, she just can't get over how icky those rubber pants were... but DH is all for it. I think he actually even dreads the poopy aspects less than I do...

Quote:

Originally posted by Phoebe Hi all, A. Do I HAVE to use a diapler service? Can't I get them properly sanitised at home and rash free? Amy

 

[Phoebe]

Holy Cow!!
I'm so glad I posted my question. This was one of those things that I had almost been conviced that cloth diapering was a pipe dream and I needed to just give it up.
I know I can do it! In a couple of months I will be back her to stock up on my baby's first diapers!!! Until then, I'll be reading books and lurking here!
You ladies are GREAT! I'm so glad there is a community of like minded moms out there for me to get support from.

Thanks so much!!!

You made my day!!

Amy

 

[kate42]

Hi Amy!

I'm using cloth on my first baby, so I don't have any experience with disposables. However, I can tell you that cloth is EASY! It's just an extra load of laundry every other day or so.

Cost is an issue for me, so I'm going the no-frills route with prefolds and covers, and the occasional fitted. I've spent less than $200 on my (her) diapers and what I have I can use for at least a year before investing in large sizes. No way you can spend that little on disposables!

I'm not going back to work, so I can't help much with the daycare question, but I would point out to the provider that you will be eliminating several bags of trash for them a week by using cloth. If they live in an area that charges by the bag to pick up, they may be much more receptive.

You can do it!

It's easy and fun.

 

[ManiacMama]

Quote:

Originally posted by Phoebe Hi all, I'm 16 weeks pregnant and I'm trying to imagine how I'm going to do things when the baby gets here. I have ALWAYS wanted to use cloth diapers. I believe in them environmentally, plus it seems that they would be cheaper. Every single person I metion it to that I want to cloth diaper, they say "Oh no way." I've heard all sorts of reasons from, its actually cheaper to use disposable, to the daycare won't use them anyway and you will find it's too much work. OK, I get real tired of this attitude. Almost without exception these people have no experience with modern day cloth diapers and have no idea what they are talking about. I wonder how many moms have been turned off by all the negativity people have toward cloth. It's really a shame because cloth diapers are easy, fun, and WAY healthier for your baby. I find them just as easy as disposables and much less scary. A good response to these comments might be something like, "Really, what kind of cloth diapers did you use that were like that?" or something along those lines. That should shut most people up (because most have no experience with them). As far as daycare, we've never really had a problem finding a daycare who will accept them. Granted some won't, but particularly if you choose an in home provider and if you talk to them and show them what cloth diapers are really like and how easy they are they may be willing to try. We've even found centers that will use them. But even if you don't, certainly there is no reason you cannot use them at home. A. Do I HAVE to use a diapler service? Can't I get them properly sanitised at home and rash free? I personally think diaper services are a HUGE waste of $$. It is incredibly easy to wash your diapers yourself. I do 2-3 extra loads of laundry per week and it takes me maybe an extra 15 minutes of my time, which I don't mind one bit. I use a dry pail; it's a tall kitchen trash can and the dirty/wet diapers just go straight in there along with the washcloths we use as wipes. When the pail is full (about 2 dozen dipes) I dump it all into the washer. I do a prewash, then a long hot wash with 1/4 amount of recommended detergent with an extra rinse. In summer I hange them on my clothesline, but in the winter I just toss them in the dryer. It's certainly no more work than my regular laundry. In 4 years I've never had any issues with diapers not being sanitized and the only time my kids have had diaper rash is when they have a stomach bug. C. I really don't think I'll find it that much work. I'm willing to do it! (of course this is coming from someone who has no children except from the one in utero!) You go, Momma! Trust your gut on this one, it's right. Cloth diapers are both easy and a lot of fun. Many of us on this board consider them a hobby and take great pleasure in putting cute and soft cotton on our babies most intimate parts. We know we are doing what is most comfortable and healthy for our children. Here are some links to check out: www.diaperpin.com www.clothdiaperbasics.com www.punkinbutt.com/diaperdrama www.twiddlebritches.com (articles) www.borntolove.com Welcome aboard! Jenny SAHM to Noah (4), Joshua (2) and c-section Sarah 10/16/03 Thanks, Amy

 

[CyndyRR327]

I just went part time a couple of weeks ago, but until then my daycare lady VOLUNTEERED to do the cloth!!! She doesn't mind one single bit!!! I do send only aio's for her to use, she does have other kids to deal with so I want it to be quick and easy for her.

And I actually LOVE to launder my own dipes!! And believe me, I'm not a laundry freak who liked to do laundry before either! But I love how htey come out all fluffy and smelling good. I love folding them and getting them all ready.

Most everyone who gave you that advice is probably thinking of the old fashion cd, they are a thing of the past!! It is so much easier now, I say you GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Taosmama]

Welcome!

You can do it! Read all you can here, and realize that all of us get nasty negative comments all the time from people who just don't realize how easy it is and how much better it is for babies and the environment.

I do cds in daycare 3 days a week - we use pocket diapers and AIOs, but honestly, I think they would have let me use prefolds if I had wanted. The director is SO supportive of cds and when she saw how cute our dipes are, she's become our biggest fan!

I also work outside the home 4 days a week and have both kiddos in cds - dd full-time and ds about 50-75% (he's still in sposies at daycare - I switched him to cloth just several months ago). It's a few more loads of laundry a week, but is still totally manageable.

Besides, picking out cute diapers for my babes to wear is so much fun!