Why Cloth?

"Cloth is Gross"
"They smell"
"It takes to much time to clean"
"to expensive"

These are just a few of the excuses I hear from people when they see my baby has fluff on his bum.
Well lets take a closer look at some of these and the TRUTH behind Cloth.

For many new moms this time of their life can be very confusing, scary, and frustrating. There are so many decisions to make, so many options, so many people telling them what they should or shouldn't do. So much Judgement.. (Ugh with the judgement!)
I remember it all the first time , and this time with my second its no different. The same decisions but more choices, the same judgements from other people. I wish I knew then what I know now. For me and my first son (5 years old) Disposables were a no duh. I knew nothing about cloth, didn't even know people still used cloth. My mother used cloth 30 years ago on my brother is about all I knew. I used disposables because I was ignorant. I was Ignorant of a lot of things back then. Yep, its really amazing how much you learn and grow in 5 years.
I am happy to say I am no longer ignorant when it comes to what I put on my baby. This time around I was lucky enough to have a friend point me in the direction of cloth. And I have to say for me an Stay at home mom (SAHM) this was an easy decision.

The Cost:

First I looked at cost. Thats the biggest reason I started to look into cloth. Being Military we dont make much money, and with two kids things like diapers add up FAST. First I went to the store and added up how much in disposables I would be spending:
On average it would be about $950 a YEAR and most kids are in them for about 3 years. Thats $2850 for 3 years! This does not include wipes, or rash cream, Add another couple hundred a year. (cost was calculated from current cost of disposable diapers in my area)
Then I went online and research Cloth (though not as well as I should have) For a good working stash you should have at least 24. I found 24 Fuzzibunz Onesize for a good discount on Amazon I got my first stash for about $425.00(including shipping) .
(your first stash can be MUCH cheaper) I did see the cheaper diapers but didn't think they would be any good so I had mistakenly passed them up. If I knew then what I know now haha. Now That would be all I need to have a great stash. But Of course being me I wanted Prints. But thats all Extra.
Anyways for for $425.00 I have a working stash that should last me 3 years since I bought all onesize. That's a savings of $525 Just the FIRST YEAR! And yes you still may need something for a rash every now and then. (DS2 has only had one since the switch) But instead of buying the expensive rash creams you can go to the baking section of most stores and get Organic Coconut oil (lard like in looks) for like 5 bucks and it will last FOREVER.

For me that was seriously enough to get me to do cloth. Even after all my prints(extra diapers) and my Bamboo inserts (highly recommend starting off with Bamboo inserts!) Im still saving about $400 this First year. Im not exactly sure on all my savings lol because I have bought and sold, But I am no where near $900 yet and Im at 7months.

Health:
So most of us moms (and dads) want our babies in the best of the best, eat the best foods , and wear the best clothes... Why should their bottoms be any different? Disposable diapers are not very good for your baby. Keeping in mind Cloth Diapers are CHEMICAL FREE. Whats in Disposables?? :
(source Livestrong.com)


Dioxins
Most disposable diapers are bleached white with chlorine, resulting in a byproduct called dioxins that leach into the environment and the diapers


Sodium Polyacrylate
Sodium polycarbonate is a super absorbent chemical compound that is used in the fillers of many disposable diapers. It is composed of cellulose processed from trees that is mixed with crystals of polyacrylate. This chemical absorbs fluids and creates surface tension in the lining of the diaper to bind fluids and prevent leakage. Sodium polyacrylate is often visible as small gel-like crystals on the skin of babies and is thought to be linked to skin irritations and respiratory problems. This chemical was removed from tampons due to toxic shock syndrome concerns. As it has only been used in diapers for the last two decades, there is not yet research on the long-term health effects of sodium polyacrylate on babies.


Tributyl-tin (TBT)
Many disposable diapers contain a chemical called tributyl-tin (TBT). According to the EPA, this toxic pollutant is extremely harmful to aquatic (water) life and causes endocrine (hormonal) disruptions in aquatic organisms. TBT is a polluting chemical that does not degrade but remains in the environment and in our food chain. TBT is also an ingredient used in biocides to kill infecting organisms. Additionally, according to research published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, tributyl-tin can trigger genes that promote the growth of fat cells, causing obesity in humans.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Disposable diapers frequently contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These include chemicals such as ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene and dipentene. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system as well as cancers.


Other Chemicals
Other chemicals often used in disposable diapers include dyes, fragrances, plastics and petrolatums. Adhesive chemicals are used in the sticky tabs to close the diapers and dyes are used to color and make the patterns and labels that mark diapers. Perfumes and fragrances are used in some disposable diapers to help mask odors.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/111348-chemicals-disposable-diapers/#ixzz1hoNLkPY7

So knowing whats in them now made my decision even easier. Which made me feel horrible for ever putting them on my First. My First son has so many diaper rashes through out his diaper years, and now I know why. I thought it was from not changing him enough. I was literally changing him every hour or more, to try and keep the rashes away. Then of course using the rash paste which eventually caused his rashes to get worse. I would change brands thinking he was allergic to that brand. He would be good for a while then start to rash again. I of course blamed myself. Which now I know it wasn't me but the diapers!
Frankly I really dont see how disposables as they are made now are even legal to put on babies. You would think the FDA would have better regulations on what chemicals can be used and things like that.

Environment:

Disposable Diapers can take anywhere between 250-500 YEARS to decompose! The Real Diaper Association estimates that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used every year in the United States, and over 92 percent of these diapers end up in the landfill. So every single diaper from the day they were created are all still sitting in a landfill with the chemicals, and human waste soaking into the land every rain. Which if you know anything about how nature works the water on the surface ends up going to the water in the ground, then we pump it out of the ground and drink it. (many city treatment plants do not remove 60% of chemicals and other dissolved whatnots from the water. Many towns waters supplies should NOT be drank right from the tap but have some sort of cleaner or filter before you drink but thats a whole nother blog)
Now I am not the most green momma in the land but I do try, and this I just couldn't add to anymore. Thinking how much trash we all already throw out, at least a lot of that is biodegradable!

How easy Is Cloth?

They are so easy to use my 5 year old son can change his little brother diaper with minimum help. Cloth Diapers are no longer sharp pins and rubber pants. If you have seen any of my other blogs you have noticed a HUGE difference in what our mothers used to what I now use. My diapers are breathable, and Waterproof (with practice leak proof). They snap or Velcro close (some still use pins if you choose) Now Cloth is just as easy to put on and take off as any disposable.Its the wash thats different. Some people like me use special Cloth soaps others use cloth safe soaps (which I am making a list and will soon post it.) You take off the diaper and instead of placing in a trash bag, there are choices. First choice is a Dry pail. Basically and pail will do, I was using a card board box at first lol. Have some sort of liner in that pail, they sell special ones but I found a regular trash bag worked to line it. Another Choice is a wet bag : A bag of different sizes made out of PUL and a zipper. Put Diaper in and zip closed! When you are ready to wash, just take the out and dump them in the washer. (other steps depending on what stage your baby is at) Many moms do a Rinse, wash, Rinse , Rinse. I myself do a wash, Rinse, Rinse just to make sure I got all the soap out. Then you can either line dry or dry on low/no heat tumble. Fold and reuse. Simple as that! Yes its more work then disposables, yes its a bit more water then you would use with disposables. but the Above benefits of cloth to me out weight the little extra work.


In Conclusion:

Cloth is not only healthier for your baby, Better for your world, but also Healthier for your wallet too!

Cloth Diapers are seriously addicting so Buyer beware!
They come in so many different verities, colors, and awesomely cute patterns.And look so darn cute on your baby, you wont be able to stop!

If you enjoyed my blog please dont forget to follow it ----->