An Overview of the Cloth Diapering System

There are many decisions expectant or expecting again parents have to make before their little bundle arrives. Friends and family - sometimes even strangers - will offer their advice on the "dos and don'ts" when it comes to bringing up baby. Often times, diapering methods are at the center of these discussions. Some will tell you that cloth diapers are the way to go while others will swear that disposables are where it's at. As with everything else in your life and the lives of your children, you have to find what works best for your family. Here are some things to consider when choosing between cloth diapers and disposable diapers.

Cloth diapers are the 'green choice' in a environmentally conscious world. They're reused and recycled - sometimes, even passed down to siblings or other children. They don't sit in a landfill for eons, taking up space and contributing to pollution like disposable diapers do. There are no harmful chemicals or additives that may cause irritation to sensitive skin. The cotton breathes easier than the plastic in the disposables does, thus resulting in less diaper rash. Cloth diapers pay for themselves in the long run due to being reusable. Compared to disposable diapers, they seem to be a good investment.

There are some drawbacks to the cloth diapering system. The initial set up is expensive and the price can vary greatly depending on the brand you use and where you buy them. Cloth diapers have a higher tendency to leak than disposable diapers do, which will make for more frequent diaper and clothes changes. This, in turn, makes for more laundry as the diapers have to be washed each time they become wet or soiled. Unless you use some sort of cover-up that has Velcro closures on the side, cloth diapers are fastened with safety pins that can be cumbersome - especially during travel. Further, many daycare centers do not want to use cloth diapers.

Like any other parenting method, diapering is a personal choice. Experimenting with all of the available options is a good way of finding out what works for you. Buy a few cloth diapers and see if you can figure them out with ease. If they turn out to be more trouble than they're worth, you can always opt for disposables. The key to any diapering method is to make it work for you and not make more work for yourself.