Using Cloth Diapers: Are They Right For You and Your Baby?

Neither diaper option is environmentally impact free, let's get that straight. Disposable diapers sit for 100's of years in a landfill, but laundering cloth diapers also has an impact on our water resources. There are studies out there who's findings state that using cloth diapers is no better for the environment than using disposables. Check out this article published in 2005 by ABC News discussing one such study.

Most of these studies compare apples to oranges: Which is worse-- diapers sitting in a landfill or water usage laundering a cloth diaper? This will probably come down to your personal opinion. One thing to consider is that landfills do not offer prime opportunities for bio- or photo-degrading as the trash is packed so tightly that light and air cannot reach all the layers, so even using biodegradable disposable diapers such as Seventh Generation will still contribute to landfill pileups.

See this picture.. this is what I woke up to at 4 am this morning. Only it was yellow and it was covering my baby from his neck to his feet. I picked up my screaming baby and realized his onesie was soaking wet from top to bottom.

My in-laws had sent us disposable diapers (they're way of telling me they don't really agree with my decision to cloth diaper) which I had put my son to bed in the night before. As I opened the onesie's zipper I realized that his diaper had exploded the swollen sodium polyacrylate crystals all over my son's chest, belly and legs and they quickly spilled out all over my leg and bed (it was 4 am and I was changing his diaper in my bed... never a good idea!). My son quickly reached down to feel the substance covering his body and proceeded to rub it all over his skin. I managed to keep those hands from reaching his mouth, thank goodness. After about 15 minutes, 15 baby wipes, an outfit change and a change of sheets I was ready to go back to bed, but my son surely wasn't!

This never would have happened with cloth diapers!

There are many options when it comes to cloth diapers. What is the difference and how do you choose which is right for you?

Flat

Pre-Fold

Fitted

Pocket

All-in-One

All-in-Two

The true old-fashioned diaper: flat squares which can be folded in many different ways to fit; require a diaper pin or Snappi.

Similar to flat diapers but they have been folded and sewn into a convenient shape. Require diaper pins or Snappis

Resemble the size and shape of a disposable diaper but are not waterproof therefore a diaper cover needs to be used

Waterproof outer barrier lined with a moisture-wicking fabric which creates a pocket for an absorbent insert between the two layers

Easiest to use diaper consisting of a waterproof outer layer sewn to an absorbent cotton or fleece inner layer

Similar to all-in-ones except instead of changing the entire diaper you just change the "soaker"; also know as a hybrid

I used mostly the pocket and flat style of diapers. The flat diapers are more difficult to use, but they are by far the cheapest and easiest to wash. I would only use the flat diapers when all the pocket diapers were dirty and my husband refused to use the flat diapers!

You can find all these styles plus more at Diaper Junction!

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Here is a list of items you will need (and some you won't, but are really great to have!).

1. Cloth diapers of your choosing


2. Diaper pins or Snappis (if you choose the flat or prefold style)


3. Wipes (disposable or washable)


4. Wet or dry diaper pail
   


5. Washable diaper sack
   This one works as a pail and sack!
   


6. Diaper Sprayer
   

When I decided on using cloth diapers, I scoured the internet and there were not many options out there. The last three years have seen an enormous increase in the options available. In a way it was easier before, I didn't have a lot to choose from so I bought a couple of the three brands I could find and then decided which ones I liked best. Now the possibilities well, they are not endless, but it may not seem that way when you are trying to decide which one's to purchase. These websites sell everything you'll need and have great information to guide you.

Mom's Milk Boutique
Mom's Milk boutique: Get $10 off 1st purchase of $75: Use Code MMB10

Cloth Diaper Outlet


Diaper Junction


Nurtured Family