You Brought CLOTH????

  Cloth diapering has been around FOREVER. Okay, maybe not forever. But certainly for a very long time. Before someone invented disposable diapers, everyone used cloth, right? When I was a kid my Mom used cloth diapers when we were at home, but when we went out she used disposables. Back then cloth diapers were very limited, they required pins and plastic pants...WAY too much work if you ask me! I can honestly say that if cloth was still this difficult to use, I would not do it. Thankfully, cloth has come a VERY long way in 27 years! 

There is so much to choose from when it comes to cloth diapers now! They make them so user friendly and convenient. I know lots of people who use prefolds or flats still. They make something called snappis that act as a pin, so you don't have to worry about poking yourself a million times trying to get a diaper on. They also make different kinds of covers that are cute and fluffy instead of those awful plastic pants. I personally prefer pocket diapers. Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer shell, a nice fuzzy inside layer, and a pocket between them to add absorbent inserts. I own a couple AIOs (all in ones) too, but only Bumkins. Bumkins makes their AIOs with a flip out insert, so it is more like a pocket. I prefer this simply for drying time! Also, when Emily gets bigger I'll be able to add multiple inserts for better absorption at night! 

A few days ago I took the girls to Discover the Dinosaurs with my Mom and sister. Emily was sleeping for the first half of our excursion, but woke up an hour or so after we got there. I knew she'd need to be changed so I grabbed a new diaper, wipes, and my wet bag, then grabbed her out of her car seat. My Mom was so shocked she said "Oh...you brought CLOTH????" She couldn't believe I would still use cloth while out for an entire day. Of course I brought cloth...its just as easy as a disposable, except I have to spray out the diapers when I get home instead of tossing them in the garbage. 

The picture above really made it clear to me. (Even though I was already using cloth.) I am not a huge environmentalist or anything, but this is scary. That is 1 baby for 1 year! And those disposables end up in our landfills and stay...for a LONG time! (Up to 500 years!) Aside from the environmental savings, the financial savings is also pretty amazing! Especially if you make the decision to use cloth with your first child, then you can reuse the same diapers for multiple kids! Cloth diapers are also better for your children. Disposable are full of chemicals (that is what makes them so absorbent) that can harm your baby's skin. I wish I had known how easy cloth was when I had Tori, she has such sensitive skin, and we had diaper rash all the time!

If the environmental savings, financial savings, benefit to your children, and the ease of use isn't enough to convince you, how about this? Look how freaking cute they are!!! Emily is wearing a Jungle Roo pocket diaper in this picture. This is definitely one of my favorite diapers. It is super cute and we have not had a single leak. 

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As I write more I'm sure we will talk more about my love of cloth diapers...it really is an addiction! I just love knowing that I am doing the right thing for my baby, the environment, and my bank account! Until next time my friends!

XOXO ~ Dana