Why did I decide to use Cloth Diapers?

I'm a 39 year old first time mom, and my decision to use cloth diapers was influenced largely by cost. In addition to the immense cost savings, switching to cloth diapers immediately cleared up my baby boy's severe diaper rash (he was in disposables for the first 3 weeks he was born until the meconium had totally cleared his system). Of course, it's also much better for the environment because no plastic or human waste is going into a landfill, and it forced me to use less laundry detergent that is more natural for all of my laundry... not just my diapers. By the way, this too is cheaper than what I was using before!

I should mention that I live in a home equipped with my own washing machine and dryer, and I have a private yard for drying diapers outside (when it get's warmer, we still have snow up here!). I only mention this because I believe immediate access to laundry facilities is the only must have for cloth diapering.

I started this blog largely to give women out there a personal experience with Cloth Diapering. Every day I'm learning something new, and i'm constantly modifying my "system" to make it easier, better, etc.

How much did it cost for me to start cloth diapering?

In total, I have spent approximately $550.00 (give or take a few dollars and cents) to get started on my cloth diapers. My stash could quite easily get me through until potty training.

I bought a hybrid mix of diapering products for my system, including:

• a dozen indian pre folds (Bummis)
• 4 pre fold covers (Thirsties)
• 14 one-size pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz)
• 2 All-in-2 Flip covers with 4 inserts
• a couple of Snappis (although one would have been enough)
• 6 soaker/liners (Thirsties)
• one Sandees fitted diaper
• one Wool Cover for extra overnight wetness (Woolly Bottoms).
• 1 Grovia "Magic Stick"

In addition to the diapers themselves, I bought a cute little mini garbage pail with a lid (white) and 2 PUL bags for dirty diaper disposal between washings.

If any of this sounds overwhelming, keep in mind that 3 months ago I knew absolutely nothing about cloth diapers, other than what little I had learned from a quick demonstration by sales ladies in local diaper shops.

Today, I feel like a pro, and my "favorites" have expanded from the one system I started with (pocket diapers) to include a variety of diapers for different situations.

What kind of diaper should you start with?

In my own opinion, there is no clear-cut "best" cloth diaper. What works best for moms and their babies is going to depend on a variety of things including price, style, maintenance level and most importantly your baby's size, shape and how much he/she wets and poops!

I bought a variety of diapers to start with to cut costs.

I started with a dozen pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz) in a variety of colours that would match my baby's wardrobe (yes, this is very fun). I backed this up with the pre folds just in case I didn't get all my diaper laundry done before I used up all the pocket diapers. One day this did actually happen, and I did run out of the pockets before the ones in the laundry were dry. With only a dozen to start with, I have to wash diapers every day and it's easy to get behind. To my surprise I found the pre folds faster to change and decided to use them instead for situations when I needed a fast change and I really don't care how "cute" his bottom looks.

But this isn't as "hardcore" as I would get... a couple of weeks ago, we started having issues with overnight wetting that was so heavy it would leak out of his diapers (Fuzzi Bunz and pre folds). I know it was an over wetting issue because I wasn't having leaks during the day when he gets more frequent bum changes.

I went to a diaper class at my diaper shoppe last Friday, and the lady suggested I try a Sandy's (Mother-Ease) fitted diaper with a wool cover, no plastic shell. This shocked me... I was sure that without any cover with plastic or rubber lining that he would wet right through... but apparently Wool can soak up to 40% liquid of it's own weight. These wool bottoms aren't scratchy or itchy either... they're very soft to the touch. They also don't require laundering very often despite getting wet because lanolin-infused wool has antibiotic and anti-septic properties. She also suggested I try some soaker liners to help absorb the extra wetness.

The combination has been brilliant, and I'm no longer going through several pajamas a night. The only additional purchase I can see myself making in the near future are a few more Sandy's and soaker liners so I don't have to keep washing the one pant and few liners that I got last Friday.

As an FYI, I have smelled this outer woolly pant every time he has used it and it still smells fresh and clean... it's bizarre!

This Blog will be about adventures in diapering, and in having a new baby at home. I have a few other bits of pregnancy information that I want to share as well, including my adventure with PUPPPs. I thoroughly documented my treatments in terms of what worked and what didn't, and the information wasn't easy to come by!