Cloth Diapers?

When I was pregnant the first time I considered using cloth diapers but I really didn't know where to begin. My mom used cloth diapers on my brother and I but they have changed SO much in the last 30 years and there are so many different styles and brands. There are flats, prefolds (which I'm not even sure of the difference between these two), fitted, all-in-ones, all-in-twos, pockets, hybrids, covers... what?!?

I was planning on going back to work after baby #1 so the idea came and went and I resigned to the idea of using disposables. 

When we became pregnant the second time I again considered using cloth. But was discouraged yet again with all the different types out there. 

Then the thought of ALL THE LAUNDRY... I hate laundry. I've been known to wait until we are out of clean socks and undies before I wash, and I'll be honest, in college I did the whole inside out trick. So the idea of having to wash diapers consistently was terrifying. 

So the baby came and I used disposable. My dream of using cloth diapers fading. I pictured stay at home moms in dresses with a house that was spotless and dinner always done and waiting when dad got home. Perfect little babies and cloth diapers galore. Ha! I knew my house would never be like that. 

But one day as I was surfing Facebook, I noticed that my friend, Melissa, had posted on her blog Just Me and the Boys, about cloth diapers so I contacted her and she offered to show me what these things were all about. I was at her house for a couple of hours and she taught me so much. I never would have had the guts to start using cloth if it weren't for her! 

I got home from her house and placed my first "fluff" order and I've been addicted ever since! I use mostly pocket diapers, covers with inserts or prefolds. It all depends on my mood and the day. My husband prefers the pockets because they are easiest. 

My stash. From left to right; pockets, covers, inserts & prefolds.

Pocket diapers are a water proof cover that have an opening, or "pocket", where the insert is stuffed. It is very similar to a disposable once they are stuffed. Just put on baby and take off. The brand that I use has an opening on each end therefore you don't have to unstuff before washing, the machine agitated the insert out on it's own. That was a main selling point for me. The less pee and poo I have to touch the better. 

Covers are a waterproof shell that you lay an insert or prefold (or fitted) into. The nice part about covers is that you can reuse the cover multiple times until it is soiled. When changing baby just wipe clean the cover and replace the insert or prefold.  

Cloth diapers are so easy, and I actually enjoy doing diaper laundry. Weird, I know. If baby is exclusively breastfed you don't even have to spray off the poo because it's water soluble, just throw the whole thing in the washing machine. Once baby is introduced to solids you do have to spray off the poo and that is not fun but they make Bio Liners that are flush-able. Or they make sprayers that attach to the toilet water line. Right now I use liners but Stella is a very constipated baby so her poops are plop-able at the moment. The amount of pee or poo you touch with cloth is really no different than with disposable diapers. 

Don't get me wrong there have been times that Stella has used disposable diapers and I have thought to myself, "this is so easy, just take it off and through it away!" And I have had some struggles with finding the right detergent and washing routine but I really do like the cost savings and the benefits for Stella and the environment. It makes it all worth it. 

So, that is my cloth diaper journey. Hope you enjoyed my story! Be sure to check out Just Me and the Boys if you are thinking about using cloth, she has a bunch of different diaper reviews and tips that can help you get started. Plus, she just has an interesting blog with giveaways, product reviews and recipes. 

And here is a cute picture of Stella in one of her diapers. Had to include one of those!!!