Cloth Diapering - for the environment and on the cheap

Cloth diapering was an easy, natural choice for me. A few years ago, before I even started to think about having a baby, I knew I would cloth diaper. For me, it was a personal conviction as a Christian to take care of the environment. Also included in my decision-making was a major dislike of some of the chemicals in disposable diapers and a desire to save money.

My original intent has been to practice Elimination Communication with India, hoping to eliminate diapers within the first 6 months of her life.

Sounds impossible, right? 

Well, it's not. I've held countless diaperless babies, 6 months and younger all over the world, that go to the bathroom when given a cue by their mothers and don't wet themselves. Diapers are not an option. I also babysat a little boy 6 month old boy a few years back, and I practiced Elimination Communication during the few hours he was with me, and he used the toilet everyday for me, usually once or twice in those couple of hours!  So I personally have seen it work.

India has used the potty, as I've read her cues, but I haven't been very diligent in the diaperless arena YET, so back to cloth diapers.... :)

Many people have asked about me about our decisions in cloth diapering, so fasten your seatbelts folks, I'm about to share a whole lot of opinion with you!

In case you didn't know, the cloth diaper world is ginormous! It's way bigger and more advanced than most people are aware of.  Gone are the days of rubber gloves scrubbing poop chunks into the cold toilet water off of a big piece of fabric!  This no longer has anything to do with your mother's cloth diapers.

Cloth diapers also hold their value. I've seen used diapers being sold for nearly the same price as brand new!

So far I've spent around $307 on cloth diapers and accessories and technically, I can get by with not buying another diaper - IF I chose to do that.

This is what I have (items in green fit from birth to potty training):

9 sized diapers - either AIO's, pockets or fitteds

12 size small prefolds
10 one size diapers - pockets and AIO's
4 one size prefolds

24 one size flats

5 one size diaper covers

several inserts and doublers that I purchased separately

3 snappis

1 wetbag

1 reusable garbage can liner

3-4 dozen cloth wipes (most are sewing scraps)

If I go by all my one size diapers, excluding anything that is specific to size, I have 38 diapers that I can use from birth to potty training.

I will admit, for the amount of diapers I have, I really haven't spent that much. I have scoured the internet for sales: waiting patiently for the best deal on seconds and purchasing several diapers on buy one get one sales. A couple of the diapers I have were given to me by my sister and the one dozen small prefolds were bought by India's Grandma, Shelly - both saving me more money.  If I would have purchased the diapers given to me as gifts, I would need to add another $100 onto my previous total.

Currently, my favorite everyday diaper (and this changes about every two weeks!) is a Little Lions flat, which cost a little over a dollar a piece, folded in the trim kite fold. Side note: it doesn't take that long to fold a diaper, it's just a tutorial video takes a bit longer! :) These diapers are so popular and well-loved that they are sold out and have been for a couple of months. I was afraid to fold a diaper, and was sure I would only use prefolds as my everyday diaper, but I'm in LOVE with these!  I use a BumGenius flip cover on them most of the time.                            
                                         India in a Little Lions flat

I also love my Green Mountain Diaper small organic prefolds, which ended up costing a little over $2 a piece! Yes, $2 for an organic diaper!! These were my favorite before I found the kite fold for my flats and they have become a little small on India sometimes. I would like to get another dozen in a bigger size soon.

I also cover these with a BumGenius flip cover.

         Yellow Edge Green Mountain Diaper, about 13lbs

For going out, or when someone else is watching her, I love my Bumgenius Elemental organic AIO's. They are trim, absorbant and easy to use!

The only negative comments I have gotten about cloth diapering are about not being able to handle scrubbing diapers and "your bills will skyrocket with all that laundering" - both which are misinformed statements.

First, you no longer have to scrub cloth diapers in the cold toilet water with your rubber gloves.  India will be exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months of her life, and breastfed-poo diapers can do straight into the dirty diapers bin - no soaking in water. No rinsing, no scrubbing.

Once she starts solids, they sell diaper sprayers which attach directly to your toilet, so you can rinse off solids, then toss into the dirty diaper bin.  We have an extra long shower head which reaches our toilet, so we will use that to wash off the diapers.  There are also thin, flushable diaper liners, that you can line your diaper with when you learn your baby's poo schedule so you don't have to do any rinsing of the diaper.

Secondly, I expected our bills to go up with cloth diapering, but I'm surprised with what I found!  There has been hardly any change.  In fact, it's been so insignificant, I won't even blog about it!

When we begin talking about the cost of disposable diapers, conservative estimates total about $1,500 from birth to potty training per child to over $3,000, all contingent on brand of diapers and length of time in diapers.

I think I'm pretty blessed spending about $300 (or even $500) on diapers for several children. 

I wash diapers about every 3-4 days, depending on our schedule.  So at the most I'm doing 2 more loads of laundry a week.  Not bad.  Also, I line dry quite often, which saves resources.

There you have it, folks. It's long and detailed, but it's about time I shared with what is working for me and answered some of the questions I've received! 

Feel free to add any information or ask any questions you may have! I am by no means, an expert.  I just want to share what I have learned so far!

Have you ever considered cloth diapers? What influenced your decision to cloth diaper or not cloth diaper?