Cloth Diapers - Not so Scary!

Before I became a mom, cloth diapers were a scary thought. My mother had told stories involving diaper pins and rubber pants. I could not even imagine the laundry involved. Now that the world has disposable diapers, why would anyone subject themselves to cloth?

Then I became a mother. While spending a lot of money on disposables, I became curious about some other moms I met who used cloth. Why? And what were these cute brand names I kept hearing? Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heinys, Kissaluvs, Bumkins, Goodmama. I decided to check out a few of the websites. How cute these diapers were! The come in all different colors and prints. And there were no pins or covers. Many of them are made with snaps or velcro, and have a waterproof outer barrier. The babies in the pictures looked so cute wearing them. But what was involved in using these? Scared off by the laundry involved, I backed off. Plus, the initial investment in purchasing cloth diapers seems like a lot.

However, I kept looking at them, wondering how tough it could be. I decided to try a few! I let the husband know that there would be some changes around here. He proclaimed that I was crazy, but agreed to try them out. And you know what... even the hubby agreed that they aren't so bad! I never have been one of the moms that use them 100% of the time and ban all disposables, but I do think they are great for part time use. The laundry isn't so bad either. I usually do a lot of laundry anyway, so this is just another load to me. Once every couple of days, we throw in a load of diapers on hot. Use a detergent that's not "free and clear" since those leave residue. Add on an extra rinse cycle or two, and throw them in the dryer. It's simple!

The benefits of cloth are too obvious to deny. For one thing, cloth diapers are great for the environment. Each disposable takes about a million years to disintegrate. They are filling up landfills more than anything else. Yes there is water involved in laundering cloth diapers, but the impact on the environment is minimal. Also, the cost of cloth may save you in the long run. if you get a lot of use out of the diapers you buy, then they are well worth the price. The water use and price of the diapers in time makes up for the inflated costs of disposables. Beware though, if you are like me. There are so many cute diapers out there that I sometimes buy too many, which counteracts any money I would save!

Another aspect worth considering in your decision is the heath of your children. Disposable diapers contain harsh chemicals. Do an internet search and you will find all kinds of harmful effects they could have. I also wonder if those certain areas of the body which touch the disapers would be more susceptible to harm. Those are important parts! And since disposables have only been around since the 1960's, we don't really know what the lasting effects could be on adults who wore disposable diapers.

One more plus that many moms love is the faster potty training. Kids can feel when they are wet more often in cloth, which may help them be aware of the whole process of going. It is true that disposables pull the moisture away from the skin. Yes the kids need to be changes more in cloth. But it may help get them out of diapers altogether if they are aware of something going on down there!

In conclusion, I know that there are many decisions to be made on the upbringing of your children. I don't frown on anyone's choices as long as you take good care of your children. But I do hope more parents keep an open mind on the topic of cloth vs. disposable diapers. They really aren't as scary as they once seemed. More and more moms are inventing new cloth diapers all the time. I highly recommend checking some out if you have a child or will be expecting one soon.