So we are already breaking so many norms... we have four kids, we home school, I still nurse my almost 12 -month- old.... why not break one more and start using cloth diapers?
I was reading a link at Home school Freebies about saving money cloth diapering. Considering we have spent a small fortune on disposable diapers and wipes with our children and considering that two of the four have required (one currently) fancy chlorine-free, all natural type diapers why not look into cloth for the remaining few months of our diaper time? Chloe is almost 12 months and will probably be in diapers for another year. Hence, I clicked a link and then had a headache for two days as my mind was blown by the complicated nature of cloth diapering. Long gone are the burp cloths and pins!
Capitalism has struck the world of cloth diapers. For those who are familiar with classical education- I had to learn the grammar (or vocabulary) of cloth diapering. Yes cloth diapering has it's own grammar believe it or not.
I am going to attempt to make your cloth diapering query easier by going through a brief summary of the options (some not all) and provide links (some not all) to websites and videos that were immensely helpful to me.
After learning my cloth diapering grammar and taking two Advil I ultimately had to just dive in and order a few to try them out. And I will tell you in advance, regardless of how complicated the following information may seem, we are going to be using cloth diapers in the house probably 80% of the time. So that's an 80% or more diaper saving! I think that money can be used elsewhere!
But on to the links and vocab!
Okay, so when you are considering cloth diapers you want to learn about all the different types and then consider the cost of each option. I was happy to learn that some of the least expensive options- those closest to the true old fashioned way- are overall not only the most economic but also easier and cleaner and easier on baby's skin.
The Types: (this is not a joke)
1. Old school- cloth diaper (bleached cotton, unbleached cotton, unbleached organic cotton, Indian cotton, Chinese cotton) This option comes in what's called a prefold diaper- which looks most like the diaper burp cloths your friends monogram for you when you have a baby and the larger swaddle type. There are YOU TUBE videos that show you how to fold both types. The prefolds and you-fold type can be used with a diaper pin (not really used anymore) and this cool invention called Snappi which looks like a plastic y with hooks on each of three tips that hold the diaper together at the groin. Again, you tube videos!
2. These cloth diapers and snappi's can be used with a basic diaper cover. Some diaper covers have snaps and some have hook and loop (Velcro- but they can't use the word Velcro so they all say hook and loop or other various code words which at first just confuse the mind!) Some of the diaper covers are sized and some are one- size with snaps along the rise (code for groin) that can be adjusted to fit newborn to toddler. The basic diaper cover can be made of many types of material from cotton, to polyester/cotton and are waterproof. The better ones have gussets at the leg which offer another layer of protection from potential leaks.
3. Fitted diapers- imagine a burp cloth diaper cut and sewn to look like a diaper. These are small and you can use snappi's or pins to secure and then cover with a diaper cover or forgo the snappi and just secure it with a diaper cover. These come in cotton, hemp and other blends. You have to have a diaper cover with these unless you want to change their clothes, your clothes, the sheets, the carpet...
4. The inserts - There are also cotton, microfiber, and hemp (and combinations)inserts that are essentially and I'm sorry to gross out male readers but they look like large, thick, maxi-pads. These inserts may be sized, or one sized (in that case you fold the top or bottom to fit in the cover if need be)with snaps, without snaps, curved, or rectangular and depending on the cover may just lay inside, or may lay in a separate plastic piece which is snapped or sewn inside of the cover. These can be removed when soiled and another put in it's place assuming the cover is still clean.
6. All-in-twos- These are your all-in-one diapers with a built in pocket or tunnel underneath the top lining where you can add extra inserts for more absorbency (like for overnight or if you have a heavy wetter). The tunnel also allows the diaper to dry faster in the dryer or on the clothes line outside.
7. Pocket diapers- These diapers consist of a diaper cover with a soft microfiber lining that is sewn into a pocket which you stuff with whatever material you choose. You have to stuff them though as the liner is thin and is not to be used alone.
I believe that is all the options, or the options I studied anyway. Pheww. So, you pick your type. You won't know which will work best and I would not just go with the cheapest option. There are a thousand different opinions when you start to research and I suggest you do your own research! Then just get a few and vary the types. I purchased some prefolds, covers, a pocket diaper, a few all-in-ones and some with snaps and some with hook and loop. I figured after trying the types I could pick up a few more of my favorites, which I may, but I find I like the variety and use the different types at different times.
Cleaning and drying them is a feat at first. When you get your diapers and inserts you have to prewash them several times initially so they are the most absorbent. Cotton needs 5-7 times, hemp up to 10 depending on what you read. All of the diapers and inserts I purchased had instructions. You also cannot use just regular detergent because it can be irritating to baby's skin. So the best option I found was Ecos free and clear which you can purchase at Whole Foods and other type stores. Do not get the lavender scent and do not get any other "free and clear" soap. There are other options listed on the web but this one was most readily available to me.
Another item you need is a wet/dry bag. You can get it in a pail-liner type and line a trash can with it or the one I purchased and like has handles and I hang it from a knob of baby's dresser. It has a zipper to keep in the stink. But I read about a nifty product called Bac-out by Biokleen which I found on Amazon for $7.99 and on sale at WF for $5.99. It is a spray that you spray onto the diaper after you have dumped the solids (code for poop) into the toilet. The spray takes away any smell and works on the stains. It works. The wet bag has little to no odor compared with my stinky Diaper Genie for disposables.
SO diapers, Ecos soap, Bac-out, wet/dry bag- you're good.
Here is what a diaper change looks like for me.
Chloe needs a change. She has a poopy diaper. I give her something to hold in her hands to play with so her hands immediately don't dive into the diaper area. I remove the insert and fold the poo inside and place to the side. I use cloth wipes and diaper spray (California baby but will use homemade recipe later) to clean her bum. Place cloth wipes aside. Put new insert or new diaper on Chloe. Set Chloe on the floor. Take poo filled diaper and wipes to bathroom. Dump solids in the toilet and flush. Rinse out diaper and wipes in sink (they also have this nifty sprayer you can attach to your toilet and use the toilet water to clean the diaper off). But all our water goes to the septic area anyway. So rinse out wipes and diaper and then spray with Bac-out, toss in wet bag and zip up.
After a day or so I take the partially full wet bag to the washing machine. I do a cold rinse and spin first with no detergent. Then I do a HOT wash with a small amount of Ecos with an extra rinse. Then I do 3-4 cold rinses/spins with no detergent. Then I put them in the dryer. I have been using a high setting as our dryer is elderly. Most everything dries the first cycle. You really can let thin diaper covers with no lining air dry. The all in ones take at least two dryer cycles to dry which for some is the major con. I fold them up, re stuff the types that need stuffing and take them upstairs.
I am very surprised at how relatively easy it is. I'm doing laundry every day anyway and have not found the extra to be a problem.
We were spending at least $50-60 a month on diapers /wipes just for Chloe ( I also have a potty training 2-year-old). So after 2-2 1/2 months we will be saving a lot of money.
Cloth diapers range in price from $11 for a set of prefolds and one cover to $18 for one all-in-one. You can certainly pay more (fancy pants on etsy!) and a little less. There are several websites that sell cloth diapers but for me I found that after researching what I wanted to try Amazon had competitive pricing and I get free shipping through my prime membership and no tax- so it was the cheapest way to go. You can also find seconds sales and used cloth diapers. There are whole websites and several of them that are devoted to the resale of cloth diapers! Amazing!
All in all, I am excited to take this step for our family. Wish I had done it three kids ago! Think of all the money we could have saved and think of all the waste that we would not have added to the environment?!
Some great educational links:
www.kellyscloset.com
http://simplemom.net/cloth-diapering/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVo6SMebcX8 (this was the most amazing 7 Part! video series by Jaimee Gleisner)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1TJiFywfC4 (this video series is just plain funny but also answers lots of questions)
www.amazon.com
Google cloth diapers and you will find more than you want to read!
I hope this information gets you started. Have fun and at some point you just have to order something and do it. I do believe you could spin your wheels researching and going no where if you are not careful. Jump in, save money, help the environment!
*some pictures used from www.simplemom.net . she has great info!
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