Cloth Diapering

Jake and I have decided to try cloth diapering. I didn't come to this decision lightly. I did a ton of research before deciding to try this. The research included the cost of cloth diapering versus disposables, the benefits to the environment, and then the benefits to the baby. All favored cloth diapering. Based on my research a family could save anywhere from $1000-$3000 dollars a year when cloth diapering. I found websites that took into account all the cost that go into cloth diapering. This includes the extra laundry detergent needed and the extra water used in additional loads of laundry. Some websites added in the cost of a diapering service but since we aren't going to use that route I dismissed this information. Now some of you may be wondering how are we going to wash these diapers. Well in the washing machine of course! So first, breast milk poop is water soluble...which means it washes a whole lot easier then when babies are fed formula. Now some people have suggested getting an attachment for the toilet to help rinse the diapers off before washing. I am going to hold off on this until we see how the cloth diapering goes. But something we will consider. To wash them in the washing machine you just have to run a cold cycle and then a warm cycle...now you maybe thinking that is more water usage. But the websites I looked at took all this into account. We have a diaper pail for the cloth inserts that is plastic material and easier to wash. As well my parents got us a pail similar to a diaper genie for the wipes and disposable inserts for the diapers so we are covered there. Next is the benefits to the baby. Disposable diapers use a lot of chemicals in them which tends to lead to more diaper rashes. Where as the cloth diapers don't have the added chemicals and are better for the babies skin. This just seems like a win win to me. Since I have seen some wicked diaper rashes on babies in the hospital. Finally the benefits to the environment. Disposable diapers take forever to biodegrade. Where as cloth diapers you wash and reuse. Now the brand we went with has disposable inserts, which can either be flushed or thrown away. If you throw them away they don't take nearly as long to biodegrade based on the materials used to make them. Now I went with a brand called Charlie Banana. I did a lot of research on a lot of brands and types of cloth diapers. These cloth diapers have cloth inserts that go inside the cloth cover and absorb great! According to reviews. This brand also uses disposable inserts for when Jake and I are out or at grandma's house. The Charlie Banana brand has a one size fits all (8-35 pounds). The snaps on the front of the diaper can adjust based on waist size and thigh size so it will fit babies of various sizes. These are not your typical folded diapers with pins. Here is the diaper website.... www.charliebanana.com Other useful websites were www.diaperpin.com and www.theecofriendlyfamily.com. Her blog does a great job with tips for cloth diapering and brands. So we initially bought 12 of the one size cloth diapers. We purchased them from Target and in 2 different transactions. The first shipment we got and then the second transaction we didn't. We were given a UPS tracking number and then tracking number said it was delivered to our doorstep on a Wednesday, well by Friday we still didn't have the package. So I called both Target and UPS and they both showed it was delivered. And since it wasn't Target refunded our money and I just repurchased another set on their website. Well three days after the refund the first packaged showed up. So now I have an additional package which I wasn't charged for. Because I am a good and honest person, I called Target to tell them what happened. First, the guy on the phone was shocked I was being honest and then went to do some research on what could be done and ultimately, they can't recharge me for them and if I wanted to send them back I could, but since I wanted to keep them he told me that was cool and to enjoy them! So we basically got a pack of 6 diapers for free. Awesome!!! Which means we have a total of 18 diapers and that is perfect! So as far as diapering goes Jake and I have some disposable diapers to use, 18 cloth diapers, lots of wipes, a diaper pail and diaper trash can and Munckin air fresheners! We have everything covered for all our diapering needs and it should be an interesting journey. Stay posted for after he arrives and see if we stick with the cloth diapers!