My mother and I both have eczema- luckily it seems that mine is more acute- but this has always caused problems for us in the way our skin reacts to lotions, soaps, detergents, fabric softener (especially), and disposable diapers! When I was born there wasn't anything my mom could do to keep the rash away except for using cloth. (The only negative thing she had to say was that it was pretty gross having to hand scrub my solid-food diapers in the toilet.) My biggest concern is that little one will have eczema, too. Which leads me to:
Reason 1.) Sensitive Baby Bottoms
All babies have sensitive skin, especially on their bottoms (and this goes double when mom has sensitive hands), so I would rather use all-natural cloth diapers (at least natural fiber prefolds or inserts) than disposables because the absorbent powder used, sodium polyacrylate, is a known irritant (to skin, eyes, and respiratory systems!) My mom always said that she didn't have to use diaper creams with me once she started using cloth- but she also slathered me up with baby oil or olive oil after bath time.There are also silk liners available for cloth diapers that can be used in place of diaper creams, if little one gets a rash.
Reason 2.) Cost
I can't speak first hand about the cost of disposable diapers (not now, and hopefully not ever) so I have found the following sources for information on diaper costs.
- http://www.howmuchisit.org/how-much-do-diapers-cost/- While this site has a helpful chart describing the sizes and prices of diapers throughout infancy, they estimate that in the first year a baby uses about 5 diapers a day totaling to about $460. This seems incredibly inaccurate according the research I've done in pregnancy forums- a more accurate estimate would be that a baby goes through 8-15 diapers a day, which is more than original estimate- totaling to $740- $1300 in the first year.
- http://www.costevaluation.com/diapers-cost.php - This site estimates that disposable diapers cost between $750-$2500 dollars in 2.5 years of diapering. It would cost $750 dollars if you only ever bought diapers on sale or with coupons and $2500 dollars if you always bought the higher priced diapers at full price. It also gives a more median estimate of $1000 dollars for the first year and $800 for the second year.
Now let's look at cloth diapers. I'm not sure which route everyone goes, but I think I'll just tally up all the diapers that I am interested in buying.
There are lots of different cloth diapers, but they can be divided into two categories- those that will need covers (flats, prefolds, fitteds) and those that have them built in (pockets, all-in-ones). There are many styles and brands out there, but I have decided on starting out with GreenMountainDiaper prefolds and an assortment of covers and then stocking up on some bumGenius 4.0 one-size pocket diapers later (when I know that they will fit little one). More specifically I'm considering going with the bundle packages that they offer to save money (and time).
- GMD Newborn Full Setup Kit
- 3 dozen newborn size cotton prefolds
- 1 dozen small size (bigger than newborn) cotton prefolds
- 6 covers (assorted sizes and brands)
- 1 Snappi Fastener
- 1 Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion Concentrate
- 1 Empty spray bottle
- 1 dozen flannel wipes
- 2 does two sided cloth wipes
- 1 pair pins
- $212.25
- $6.95 shipping
- bumGenius 4.0 One-size diaper 12-pack
- 12 bumGenius pocket diapers (get to choose velcro-type or snap buttons)
- 12 newborn inserts
- 12 one-size inserts
- $203.40
- free shipping (i think)
Even if I was able to spend another $200 dollars on cloth diapers until potty training I would still save about $1400. These numbers are rough estimates based on research alone, but I feel pretty confident in that I will save immensely by cloth diapering. (I'm sure there are other CD moms out there who would vouch for that!)
One last note on cost (which will bring us right to our next point) that usually cloth diaper babies only need diapers for two years before potty training, where as using disposable diapers you'll have to factor in another 6 -12 months diapering..By choosing cloth instead you would be saving an additional $500-$1000 dollars. So about that....
Reason 3.) Potty training happens sooner
I didn't exactly find top of the line research on this, but I think its a general consensus between CD moms that their tots potty train sooner because the cloth diaper allows for them too feel the wetness against their skin, hinting to them what their body is doing, as opposed to disposables which stay dry feeling against their skin.
Reason 4.) Cloth diapers are CUTE!
You can get cloth diapers and diaper covers in every color imaginable and any print you want! There are so many brands that are brightly colored and just adorable. If you're crafty enough, you can even find a fabric print you like and a cover pattern and make your own diapers! The cuteness possibilities are endless. Then again anything can beat a saggy 'sposie if you ask me...
Reason 5.) Environment
Last but not least, its better for the environment. An estimated 27.4 BILLION diapers are used in the US alone... That's a lot of crystallized poo just sitting in landfills. YUCK. If we don't take charge of making this earth a better place for our children, and reduce the amount of waste we are producing, who do you think will?!?
I guess cloth diapering isn't very convenient for everyone, but the Pollinator and I agree that its best for our little hive. We also plan on getting a handy diaper sprayer, so I don't have to scrub them out in the toilet like my mom did. It seems cloth diapering is even easier than it was years ago!
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