Cloth Diaper Revolution

I have recently decided to make the switch from disposable diapers to cloth for Ellie. This is something I wanted to do before she was born, but could not persuade Bret to accept the up-front cost. Back then I wanted to buy the whole she-bang at once, an arsenal of cloth diapers. This is probably because I was in "nesting" mode. But now, after much begging and cost comparison, I finally convinced him to let me get enough cloth diapers to get started and we can buy more along the way.

Why switch now, you ask? I've already spent 3 years with Grayson in disposables (by the way, I also broached the subject with him and was talked out of it then, too - I've finally prevailed!), and Ellie is nearly a year old. Well, here are my very good reasons -

I probably still spend 60-80 dollars a month on diapers. If Ellie is potty trained when she is two and a half, that will be 1400 more dollars sitting in the trashcan.

I try very hard to save money where I can - as a mostly stay-at-home mom, I think this IS my job. I clip coupons, buy everything on sale, shop the clearance racks, and plan meals two weeks out. So this seemed a logical step to further save money that we could use somewhere else - like to maybe go out once in a while and get some time away from our little darlings!

I try to be earth conscious and do the steps that I can to reduce my impact on the earth - I recycle everything I can, use cloth bags at the store, conserve water, and use energy-efficient everything. I can't afford expensive things like solar panels and water heaters, so this is something that I can do. Disposable diapers sit in a landfill for hundreds of years (not exaggeration) and ONE baby can contribute 2,000 pounds of diapers to the heap over its diaper years. I read an article about the "swirling garbage island" of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean that is TWICE THE SIZE OF TEXAS. Not to sound preachy, but we as a species have irreparably damaged our earth and I feel guilty about it.

So, order away I did at http://www.cottonbabies.com/ - a fantastic website that is super informative and priced really well. Here is what I ordered:

A Try it Kit that included 6 prefold diapers (this is what you think of when you think "cloth diaper" - the flat piece of fabric that you pin together), two covers, a Snappi to secure the diapers. This is the most economical way to cloth diaper, but not the easiest.
Two bumGenius 3.0 pocket diapers - the new vanguard of cloth diapers, these have an insert that you change and an absorbent lining sewn in
One "repairable" bumGenius - a second I bought for less than half the price that only needed a small seam repaired. If you are handy with sewing, I definitely recommend this to save money and build your supply.
2 packs of cloth wipes - going all in here, I told you!
Extra prefold diapers and extra inserts for the pocket diapers
A wetbag to take in the diaper bag - the small size I ordered is too small so I will be exchanging it
All this cost me $135, which sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn't when you consider this is only a month and a half of disposables

Then I had to conduct the search for the right detergent. This is MUCH more important than I would have imagined. Detergents with softeners and additives can ruin the absorbency of your diapers. "Country Save" detergent was the most recommended on ALL the websites, so I looked high and low for it. Whole Foods in San Antonio, two health stores in New Braunfels, Amazon.com, and I finally found it at the Little Shoppe of Health in San Marcos, right next door to my new work. Is that fate or what?

Also you cannot use regular rash cream with the diapers because they leave a coating on them that makes them not absorb - so I found an all natural one I liked (beware of some of the natural ones that include fragrant oils, those are not good for any one's skin)

OKAY - after much preparation, they arrived in the mail yesterday! After washing them to get them ready, I strapped a prefold on Ellie and used the Bummis Whisper Wrap cover. Awesome! It is bulkier than a regular diaper, but soft and comfortable for her. Last night I used a bumGenius pocket diaper with an insert and a "doubler", which is basically just a smaller additional insert. No leaks at all this morning!

While we are at home, I plan to use the prefolds and covers, so that is what I did today. All went well, the cover lasted through three diaper changes until a poop happened. The poop was contained, but it did get on the cover a little bit, so it went in the pail. She wore the pockets the rest of the day, one pocket diaper that I changed the insert several times. I wiped the poop off into the toilet - something I'm used to because I regularly dump Grayson's poop out of his little potties. I did rinse the pooped prefold in the sink before I dumped it in the pail. While it seems like I purchased a lot, I am doing a load of diapers in the wash as we speak. But that seems right because I basically only have four "diapers" right now.

I know I'm a weirdo, but I actually like doing the wash if it's baby clothes. I love folding them and matching the outfits, and her cutely colored cloth diapers are just an extension of that.

I love them so far, and the only thing I wish is that I could have ordered more at a time. Here is what I will order next:

Cloth Diaper pail liner - the garbage bag I have now is just not working for me.
More pockets and a few more covers, along with more inserts.

I am still figuring out how to do the cloth wipes. I am now just using them with water in my plastic wipes tubs (of which I have about a thousand laying around), but I read that that can be too drying. Which is true, water evaporating on the skin will dry it out. So I think tomorrow I will try a dash of baby soap and baby oil (preferably unscented) in the water and see if that feels more "moisturizing".

I hope I've inspired you somewhat - it's never too late to save money and the environment! Let me know your thoughts or questions and I will keep you posted!