Many of my friends are surprised when they find out that I use cloth diapers on my babies. Some even seem a little bit intimidated by the idea. "Isn't it an awful lot of work?" asked one. Another one simply shook her head sadly and said, "I wish I had that kind of time on my hands."
First of all, let's get real. There's a lot of myths floating around about cloth diapers, and not everything that you might hear about them is true. That being said, I have to say, I get a little peeved by people who perpetuate these kind of myths when they really have no idea what they are talking about. As the saying goes, "Don't knock it 'till you try it."
There are many reasons that people might choose to cloth diaper. Here are a few of mine.
#1. Save Money
Yup, the almighty dollar strikes again. Of all the reasons I have to doing things the way that I do, saving money has got to be one of the top reasons of all time. Whatever other responsibilities I have, I feel like my first and most important responsibility as a homemaker is to manage my resources wisely. And, hey, I like being cheap. Seriously, I love the challenge of trying to do things smarter, and if this means I save a couple of bucks a month, all the better. And when we're talking about savings on diapers, the money can add up quickly. If I were buying disposable diapers for my babies, my brand of choice usually costs around $20 for 120 diapers, or about 10 days of newborn diapering. That's not counting wipes, creams, special trash bags, or the inevitable extra laundry costs from diaper malfunctions. But let's just ignore all that and call it $60/month. Over two years, the cost of disposable diapers reaches $1,440 ... that's a lot to spend on one tiny bum. And many children don't potty train until they are 3 or even 4 years old, easily doubling this number.
#2. Avoid Chemicals
My second child was born with some pretty severe dermatitis issues. We've spent a lot of time and money just trying to find products that won't cause his skin to peel off. This experience has taught me how many chemicals we are exposed to every single day, and how negatively those chemicals can impact our health. By using diapers made from natural fibers and using less toxic laundering techniques, I am keeping those chemicals out of my home and away from my family.
#3. Reliability
Disposable diapers are mass-produced, and made from inferior materials. Unlike cloth diapers, there is really no way to customize the fit or absorbency. Let's face it, if you are using a diaper that's not doing its job, you're forced to deal with a lot more cleanup than you bargained for. Are your sheets and mattresses safe from an early morning blow-out? Do you really want to deal with that embarrassing trip to the store? Cloth diapering offers a way to avoid these disgusting problems.
#4. Comfort
I've worn paper pads after having a baby, and let me tell you, they are not a thing of luxury! Paper diapers are not all that different. I prefer the feeling of cloth next to my skin, and I know that my babies have developed a preference for cloth diapers over disposables. I've also noticed less problems with diaper rash when in cloth, which makes diaper changes much more comfortable.
#5. So Gosh Darn Cute!
I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't give at least a nod to the cuteness factor. Cloth diapers come in an astounding array of colors and patterns. Many parents consider cloth diapers to be a fashion accessory. While I haven't collected as many cloth diapers as some, I've found a satisfaction in learning how to make my own diapers and covers, which has made it possible for me to try out all sorts of different diapers for a relatively low cost.
Well, there are my most important reasons in a nutshell. Whether you choose to use cloth, disposable, or some combination of the two, I hope you find a diapering solution that is right for your family.
