Determining
which cloth diaper or cloth diaper system is right for you and your
baby can be a very difficult decision. With so many choices
available, the thought of making one is enough to make any new parent
run for the nearest supermarket disposables isle. You have enough to
worry about with a new baby. Who needs to worry about diapers?
The
answer is ...NO ONE! With a little knowledge and forethought, your
cloth diapering experience can be just as easy as disposables. Not to
mention a whole lot more fun!
The question to ask yourself is "Why do I want to cloth diaper?"
If the answer is economy, while most any cloth diaper system will save you some money, you just can't beat prefolds and a few good covers
when trying to cloth diaper on the cheap. With three dozen infant
prefolds, three covers each in small, medium, and large, and some cloth
wipes, you can diaper your baby for a small fraction of the cost of
disposables.
If the
diaper rash on your baby's bottom is the answer, but you're not really
sure about messing with different pieces, folding, or dealing with the
gross factor; a good pocket or all-in-one (AIO) system maybe
right for you. Don't get me wrong, all cloth diapers will help, if not
eliminate, diaper rash on most babies. But pockets and AIOs are the
most like disposables when it comes to convenience.
If
you have environmental concerns, any cloth system is a good alternative
to disposables. However, there are some cloth diapers that are even
more earth-friendly than others. Some come in unbleached
varieties, which eliminates the harmful byproducts created in the
bleaching process. There are also organic varieties made from organically grown cotton or wool from organically raised sheep. Hemp and bamboo are two materials that are very absorbant, yet very renewable and earth-friendly to grow.
Maybe
you fall somewhere in between. You need to be economical, yet want to
have something easy for the babysitter or daycare to use, and take it
easy on Mother Nature while you're at it. Contours and fitteds take the guesswork out of folding, while still taking it easy on the pocketbook.
Most
importantly, don't feel like you have to pick just one type and stick
with it even if it's not working for you. Half the fun of cloth
diapering is being able to try new styles and brands. If you have a
heavywetter who's leaking at night, ditch the prefold at bedtime and
try a pocket stuffed (or double stuffed) with a hemp insert. Maybe you
wanted to use fitteds, but found you couldn't afford to full-time.
Prefolds or contours are a less costly option, but just as functional.
Just remember, whichever you choose, cloth is truly the best option for you, your baby, and your planet.
Have more questions about the ins and outs of cloth diapering? Contact us! We'd be happy to help!
