I was 20 years old when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. At that point I think I was overwhelmed with the whole idea of being a new parent and what I was going to do about work that the idea of using anything other than disposables never crossed my mind. When she began solid foods she started getting horrible rashes. I changed diaper brands, wipes, “aired” her out, tried every diaper rash cream in the store and even made trips to the pediatrician on several occasions over her rashes. If I knew then what I know now!
Fast forward four years later, we found out we were expecting again! This time I have been extremely lucky to be able to stay home with my baby (I have a wonderful husband!). Having more time on my hands, I researched a lot of things during my pregnancy; prenatal vitamins, options for birth plans, and cloth diapers.
I think, unfortunately, many people still think of cloth diapers as a piece of fabric held together with pins, how antiquated! The truth is there are so many styles and systems of cloth diapering and many of them are oh so cute!
I will go more deeply into brands and types later. For now I just want to add that, so far, we have not seen any diaper rashes on this little one.
TOP REASONS TO USE CLOTH DIAPERS
- Save money: the average family spends $1,600 on disposable diapers (from birth to potty training)
- No diapers ending up in landfills= Less waste: good for the environment, good for our planet!
- Better for baby: there are many facts available regarding chemicals involved in the production of disposables. (please see link below)
- You’ll never ‘run out of diapers’: no midnight runs to the 24 hour pharmacy to pick up diapers last minute.
- Far less (if not at all) ‘blowouts’: I think this depends on your brand but so far I have not had to tackle a blowout in a cloth diaper.
- So many cute possibilities: all cloth diapers aren’t just plain white with a lame ink print across the front, they’re available in so many colors and bright colorful prints!
If you’re considering cloth diapers and maybe aren’t ready to commit 24/7… keep in mind that using only one a day will keep 365 diapers out of a landfill 🙂
For cloth diaper facts, please visit http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php
fioraliz.com 