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Guest Post: Cloth Diapers — First on My “Will Do Better Next Time” List

July 13, 2012 By Emily McClements
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I’m planning to post much more about cloth diapers this time around, but first, a guest post and one mama’s experience of making the switch from disposables to cloth diapers. I’m thankful to have Dara Herman from daraclaire.com guest posting today!

source: Amazon

My mind began a checklist, when I saw the two pink lines, of all the things I would do better and different with baby number two on the way. I felt I had done a decent job with my first, impressing my family and friends by using only all natural and organic products to touch, or go in, my baby!

I felt proud using Seventh Generation Diapers and wipes. Bragged on the fact we never battled a diaper rash, giving kudos to the unbleached product. Until a close friend began using cloth diapers and cloth wipes. I felt the wind go out of my sails!

Cloth is better for the environment and my baby’s bum. That became number one on my “Will do better next time” list.

I spent HOURS researching cloth diapers, the quality, the price, and the user friendly ratings. I watched video segments on several brands. My husband looked in disbelief when I told him when to expect the UPS man with the delivery. He looked even more concerned when I told him the price.

Well, that was until I showed him my cost breakdown of what we would be saving from start to potty trained time. He has not fussed ONCE about using them (well except when I accidentally ordered a light pink diaper for his boy). He even asked how to laundry them! So far score!

I was so excited to open the box, pull out the dipes, inspect them, and give them their first (of five) washings! I sorted the covers and inserts, enjoyed the colors, and practiced the snaps. But they sat for a week! WHY? Because the idea of getting them dirty felt wrong!

Finally I ran out of disposables and was forced to jump in! With the first poo diaper I felt saddened to see the bright white ruined. I felt even worse when I pulled them out of the washer to see stains!

Luckily with my hours of research I remembered the advice of many moms to let the sun do it’s magic. I hung them outside, telling myself that the sun would erase them to a light stain and it would be okay. After 3 hours in the Florida sun they were bright white! Now I know that won’t always happen but it made me feel a lot better and kept me motivated!

So far they are still a nice bright white, which is a miracle if saw before pictures of the damage my little boy can do!

I am two months into my cloth diaper journey, and so far it has gone smoothly. Both my hubby and I prefer the Flips with Velcro, even though most of the ones I purchased are snaps!

The BumGenuis 4.0 Pockets are nice but I feel like I am being wasteful using up a diaper each time. I love being able to re-use the Flip cover a few times (unless it’s a big blow out! Eeeckk!) I love showing off the cloth diapers and have to reign myself in from going on too much to expectant friends and family!

So what’s next?  I’m charging full steam ahead into my list of “Will do better next time”. Homemade wipes followed by homemade organic shampoo and soap!

Dara Herman is a wife, mother of two boys, teacher, and writer. She was born and raised in a small town, where she still lives and is raising her two boys. She is determined to live a full life. To live a life on purpose; to make the ‘Livin’ Part of Life’ happen with purpose and not lay her head down at night and feel a day was wasted. You can find her at daraclaire.com.

8 CommentsFiled Under: Family & Children, Green Living Tagged With: "green", baby, cloth diapers, guest post, laundry

Are you intrigued by the idea of using cloth diapers for your baby? Are you unsure how cloth diaper would fit into your daily routine, or how you would realistically use them day to day? This post walks you though the ins and outs of using cloth diapers in your daily life.How to Use Cloth Diapers in Your Daily Life Default ThumbnailThe Basics of Using Cloth Diapers Default ThumbnailUsing Cloth Wipes as Part of Your Cloth Diaper Routine Guest Post: 8 Tips for a Healthy Postpartum Recovery

Comments

  1. Danielle says

    July 13, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    Is there anyway I could get an example of your cost breakdown. I told my husband I want to do cloth diapers and the look I got was one of extreme disbelief and terror. I think the saving money thing would convince him otherwise.

    Reply
  2. Nikki says

    July 13, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    You’ll be glad you have the snaps in a few months. We have all snaps and one velcro BG 4.0 and the velcro already needs to be replaced.

    Reply
  3. Dara says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    @ Danielle, let me look thru some of my notes. I referenced a lot of information from http://www.cottonbabies.com. I spent less than $350 for all my dipes (18 total, 6 Flips and 12 BumGenius 4.0, wet bags (large for the house and small for the diaper bag), BumGenius Laundry detergent, extra liners, extra stay dry liners, 3 organic cloth prefolds, 3 BumGenius socks, and 6 reusable nursing pads). We were using 7th Generation Diapers and Wipes so we were spending above your everyday generic diaper and wipe user. I watched for sales at CottonBabies and bought in 3 seperate orders to build my stock and keep our family budget intact!

    Reply
  4. Dara says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    @ Nikki I heard that from another friend too! I had one friend also tell me she preferred the snaps since her child like to go au naturel! I think CottonBabies offers a velcro repair kit for a few dollars though. My hubby prefers the velcro since he has larger hands and fingers. I like the velcro at night when I am crazy tired trying to fight kicking legs! I use the snaps during the day.

    Reply
  5. Karmin says

    July 16, 2012 at 3:44 am

    I actually am a big fan of cloth diaper and I can say that I love using it for my kids before.. I really love your post here for us..

    Reply
  6. Jeremiah Ozment says

    July 16, 2012 at 4:34 am

    My wife has been using the cloth diapers for my second kid, earlier we used to buy the disposable ones, but the kid always used to have the problems of rashes. Now she has started making the cloth ones and the kid never really had any rashes or any other problem!

    Reply
  7. Oisha Hicks says

    July 18, 2012 at 6:27 am

    I am planning to purchase cloth diapers for my friends little angel. It seems you remind me while reading your post. I must need to buy it today.

    Reply

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