The Cloth Diaper Post

So a while back, when I was admitting to my crunchy tendencies, I mentioned briefly that we'd be trying out cloth diapering with our son. (For those wanting an awesome explanation of what cloth diapering is like nowadays, check out this post by Simple Mom.)

Well, we've done it! For those that are curious, here are the details:

We have purchased twelve bumGenius 4.0 one-size pocket diapers with snaps. Whew! That's a mouthful. For the non-cloth diaper-ers out there, let me elaborate.

We got this brand:

Image Source, and no, I did not get any pink ones for my little boy.

Only having twelve means we technically only cloth diaper part-time. While the diapers are being washed and drying, it's disposable all the way.

One-size indicates they'll fit all the way through potty-training; there will be no need to purchase more to fit a growing baby. Heck, they even fit Cambrie.

Pocket diapers means they are made of a waterproof shell that works much like a disposable (no funny folding or pins to deal with) and an absorbent insert that you slip into that shell.

"With snaps" means I chose the diapers with snap closures rather than a type of velcro. We want these diapers to last for a while, and we've heard snaps hold up better.

Look! It even matches his onesie!

We bought them at two different places: I used a coupon and discount something or other at Diaper Junction and got a decent deal (it's really hard to find good deals on the bumGenius brand). I also bought six of them gently used at Re-Diaper.com. They were still in great condition and at a pretty good price.

They cost us around $15 a diaper. That includes the absorbent inserts (two per diaper--one for newborns and one for older babies). That sounds like craziness, and it is more expensive than some of the other cloth diaper types (the kind you fold, secure in place with pins or a snappi, and use with an additional waterproof cover), but compared to 2.5 years of disposables, it's a bargain.

We store the dirty diapers in these Planet Wise Wet Bags. We thought about using washable liners for a diaper pail, but I really like how the wet bags take up less space. There is also literally no smell when the bag is all zipped up. They are washable, so when I throw a load in the wash, I just toss the bag in, too.

Hanging out, wondering why mommy is taking pictures of his diaper.

The wash routine is, I think, the part that scares most people off. Here's what I do: once all twelve diapers are dirty, I toss them directly in the wash and do a cold water rinse. No pre-rinsing or scrubbing of poop since the stools of breast-fed babies are water soluble. (Once James starts on solids, this part of the routine will change).

After the rinse, I wash with soap in hot water (I'm using Publix Free and Clear--half the amount needed for normal laundry so the diapers get clean but there's no detergent build-up that would compromise their absorbency), then do an additional rinse.

After all that, the inserts get tossed in the dryer and the pockets and wet bags get hung up to dry.

For those concerned about water use, here's a snippet I like from the Re-Diaper website:

"Don't let the "Water Debate" fool you. You don't hear plastic bottle companies advocating to use plastic bottles because of all the water you use to wash cups! Millions of gallons of water are used to produce disposable diapers. Disposable diapers are ONLY about convenience." 
Too true! Of course, I am often a fan of convenience, too. Can't please everyone, and my sanity and the earth are going to have to take turns.

Here's my opinion so far: I like cloth diapers. I'm not freaking-out-in-love with them or anything, but it feels good to have something soft and cushy and not quite as wasteful on my baby's bottom. I do love not spending as much on diapers, and I love love love how cute they are on little bums.

James's little tush doesn't get red as often, and there are noticeably fewer leaks. No blow-outs; I'm always a little wary of blow-outs when he's in the disposables, but I never need to worry when he's in cloth.

When we do buy more diapers (which we are planning on doing so we need even fewer disposables), I think I'm going to try a different variety from the pocket diaper kind. I really don't mind them, but I guess I envisioned the "stuffing" process to be a little more streamlined. When I'm rushed, it takes just enough time to annoy me. I've tried sitting down and stuffing them all at once after they're clean and dry--trying to do that just stresses me out. Right now I just stuff three or four at a time when the kiddo is happily playing after a diaper change. It works for us.

Next purchase I'm considering getting some fitted diapers with snappis and some covers.

Oh, and how is the husband faring? He's just as happy as I am with the diapers! To be fair, if I didn't do the laundry and stuff them, he'd just grab the nearest disposable, but if they're there and ready, there are no complaints! I don't complain either, since I have a husband awesome enough to both change a bunch of diapers and go on this cloth diapering adventure with me.

And the baby? Oh, I think he likes them just fine.

See? That's his "clean cloth diaper" face. No, really.

I'll keep you guys updated and let you know how I like them as things move along.