03/25/04

Diapering Dilemmas

While planning for Geren's arrival, we instinctively chose to go with disposable diapers.  After all, we thought, who wants to deal with the mess?  Guess what - we're now using cloth.

How did that happen?  Well, after about 3 months in disposables, Laura began to investigate cloth diapering because of cost.  Since we decided that it was important for her to stay home with Geren, we've been looking for ways to cut expenses.  Laura found a lot of helpful information at the Born to Love website - it covers all the basics about cloth diapering as well as parental reviews of A LOT of different companies.  We had some prefolded diapers already, so Laura ordered a few different diaper covers as well as two different fitted diapers.  After trying them all out, we made an unexpected discovery - ALL of them leaked less than our disposables, and most of them didn't leak at all!  This was an added bonus, as Laura was very tired of soaking stool-stained clothes to get them clean.  We had tried most of the disposable brands on the market, and they all had they same problem - his stool would leak up the back and all over his clothes.  Talk about messy!

After trying everything out, we decided to go with Mother-Ease diapers.  They are so easy to use!  And although they are one of the more expensive systems, a full set of diapers, covers, and liners was only about 4 months worth of disposables - so we splurged a little for the convenience.  Their one-size diaper is a fitted diaper that closes with several different snaps so that it adjusts from newborn up to 35 pounds.  (With most fitted diapers you have to buy several different sizes.)  They are very absorbent and contain stool so well that it usually doesn't even get the cover dirty.

Another objection most people have to cloth is the laundering, but that also has been unexpectedly easy.  After searching the internet it became readily apparent that washing cloth diapers is sort of an art form - everybody does it a little differently.  What has worked so far for us is this: put all diapers (wet & soiled) in pail.  We do not rinse them in the toilet or soak them in the pail.  (This might be more of a problem if Laura washed less frequently, but with 2 dozen diapers she wash every 2-3 days.)  When it's time to wash, she dumps them all in with 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer washing soda and some detergent (she uses Arm & Hammer for sensitive skin) and washes them in cold (short cycle).  Then she  washes them in hot water with more washing soda and detergent.  Then she rinses them a second time with 1/2 cup vinegar in the rinse water.  She usually hangs them outside to dry because not only is it cheaper, but it also bleaches out any stains naturally.  (You should avoid using chlorine bleach and fabric softeners on diapers.)  That's it - not a big deal at all, we promise.

When we're out and about, we just carry a ziplock bag for dirty dipes.  We do carry disposable wipes (but use washable ones at home).  Laura is sure she still has much more to learn on this subject, but she can tell you that so far she has been EXTREMELY happy with cloth diapering and would stick with it even if it wasn't cheaper.  We've listed a few good links below.  Remember, there is a wide range of opinions about what types of diapers and covers are best - you'll just have to experiment a little and figure out what you like.  Feel free to email Laura with your questions or suggestions!

• Laurie's cloth diapering page - includes "cloth diapering for lazy people :)

• Diaper folding - explains several different ways to use both flat and prefolded diapers

• WeeBees - a good source of diapering supplies and information

• Laura's cloth diapering page - (obviously a different one :) ) - has lots of great info on what you need, different laundering methods, reviews of some products and where to buy them