Dear Charlotte,
I don't really know what's gotten into me, but I got this idea and now Ben thinks I've gone off the deep end. Maybe I have, I don't know. So I was thinking, why don't we use cloth diapers on this new baby? Not the takes-20-minutes-to-fold-them-and-have-to-be-careful-not-to-stick-your-kid-with-a-pin cloth diapers of years ago, but modern cloth diapers. Did you know they make cloth diapers now that are practically like disposables? Diapers like bumGenius and Mommy's Touch and Kissaluvs. I think I'm even open to doing plain old prefolds with covers sometimes. There are several reasons I've been considering this, like:
1 - Even to buy the nice ones, it is cheaper than using the cheap disposables. (Although it's an up-front cost instead of spread over the months and years) Plus, if you have more children, the cost is even lower because you can use many of the same diapers and products.
2 - It's better for the environment.
3 - It's better for the baby. It's crazy how many harmful chemicals there are in disposable diapers. I was amazed at the things I learned when I started looking into it. Seriously - google it and see for yourself.
4 - For some reason, it doesn't sound that bad! =)
Ben thinks I couldn't handle cleaning the poop off, but guess what? I have to wipe the poop off the kid's butt anyway, right? And you can hook this sprayer thing - basically like a vegetable sprayer for the kitchen sink - up to the plumbing on your toilet. No dunking, just spray it off and wash them every couple of days! And if you're out and about, use a flushable liner and whala! the mess goes down the john!
See? I knew you'd think I'm crazy! So now's your chance to make your opinion known - take the poll on the side of my blog to let me know if I have really lost it or not!
10 comments:
I have to say, I agree with your husband. I could not do it and I just have one. Good for you though!
Hopefully we would only have one in diapers at the time, and maybe two at night. That is, if Mason ever decides he'd like to use the toilet. That's another benefit, though - it's supposed to be easier to potty train. We still haven't made a decision, but the idea is definitely simmering (for me - there is no Ben on the bandwagon as of yet!)
Hey Sarah, I have so say that I tried these with my 1st on for a little while when she was about 5 months old and I will just say that if you do decide to go this way make sure she have an good diaper pale that seals good because they get really smelly, be prepared to change then alot more often then regular diapers, and have lots of laundry soap not just for the diapers but for all the clothes that you will be changing when they leak. Here is another suggestion, find someone that might have some diapers that you can do a trial run with first before you invest in some for yourself then you will know if you like it or not. Good luck:-)
Thanks Andrea! I'll keep that in mind if I decide to give it a shot. For the record, what kind of diapers were you using when you tried it?
My neighbor uses cloth diapers and loves it! She says it can get smelly once they get older, but she's never complained about the extra work. I want you to try and let me know how you like it. Someone told me about fuzzy buns. Have you heard of that?
Yes! From the looks of them and what I've learned, I think I would really like Fuzzi Bunz. Except that they don't make a "one size," which I'm really interested in because then you don't have to keep buying more as your child grows.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE LATEST FAMILY ADDITION! THATS VERY VERY EXCITING!!!
Not that I am a mother yet, but after 8 years of working on potty training other people's children (anywhere from 3-5 children at a time), I say go with cloth diapers. Hands down, easier to potty train. Sure it makes a bigger mess, but not really. Besides, I plan on using cloth diapers (not that Paul has any idea yet...we're still working on increasing the comfort level with cleaning up after the dogs...) when I have kids. So when you are through with yours, pass 'em this way. You should talk to my friend Teralee. She could tell you which are best and what-not. You are absolutely right: a mess is a mess, whether it is in a disposable or a cloth, and potty training goes much more quickly with that cloth ones, as they see you daily rinse out diapers in the toilet, AND they have the all-important and motivating natural consequences to deal with. On the other hand, you DO want to make sure that you have a good washing machine that can handle the load and wash/sanitize well. I figure you can spend the money on the disposables or you can spend it on a nice washer. Take your pick. (I guess you could just save it and spend it on bills or something too...)
And I just found out Fuzzi Bunz DOES make a one size! It's more expensive than others, but I'm thinking it might be worth it. Maybe I'll have to see what Teralee has to say too. Ben would be happy to know that I could talk to someone in person. He's most worried that we'd spend the money and then I would decide I didn't want to do it. But I don't think I would.
I have been tempted to switch Ian over to cloth diapers. I don't think you're crazy.
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