Cloth Diapering 1 year in

I apologize if I have ruin your appetite in one way or another with this post.

You have been warned.   

To start with, I feel like this deserves a party. This---the whole cloth diapering for a year deal. I know, I know, people have been doing it for ages and it's not a big deal.  But for me? For me it's a big deal. For me it's a big deal because it is something I never imagined doing, and definitely not something that I imagined my husband doing. And even more importantly, something I never imagined doing this long.

But yet here we are, one year later, and still doing the dirty deed. No pun intended.

I do not even remember if I ever wrote about cloth diapering, aside from starting. If I ever actually sat down and answered the basic questions; why we did it, what we use, what we do, is it easy, the things I like/dislike, and so forth. I guess that is what the 1 year anniversary is for. To answer those burning questions. I'm sure half the audience has already left as soon as they heard the word: diaper.

WHY WE DID IT
 

There are three reasons, and I will list them in order.

First, I did it because I wanted what was best for our baby. I wanted the least amount of chemicals in contact with his skin, and I wanted to do what I felt was most natural.

Second, I wanted to save money. And money I have saved. They say that a baby goes through about $2,000-$3000 in diapers and wipes? Well, I have to tell you I own 8 at $17 a piece, add in detergent costs, that comes out to be about $200. Total. I have spent about $200 on diapering/cloth wipes {washcloths}.

Lastly, the environment. I say this last because I am not a big "environment" person, although I should be and hope to eventually grow to become more aware of the things around me. However, after looking at how much waste we went through with our first, I realized that we could make positive changes with the cloth diapering the second time around.

WHAT WE BUY

I know that a lot of people like to "shop around" when it comes to cloth diapers. They try multiple brands. They get different patterns and types. They like a variety.

I'm not one of those people. I'm that girl that when I find a shirt that I really like I purchase it in every color. And that is precisely what I did with the cloth diapers. I ordered the Bumgenius Freetime Cloth Diapers after reading multiple {nothing but positive} reviews. After testing those out and deciding I loved them, I decided to order more to bring my grand total to 8.

Yes. Eight. Different shades of colors, all one size, snaps, Bum genius diapers. Why 8? That is the number of diapers that I use in one day and requires me to just do one load of diaper laundry at night. I know that a lot of people purchase more so that they don't have to do laundry as frequently, but for me I hated knowing that wet/dirty diapers were sitting around waiting to be washed.

Plus, it saved me money. 

I also bought extra bamboo inserts { Alva Baby Cloth Diaper 4 layers Antibacterial Bamboo Viscose Inserts Super Water Absorbent 12pcs} that I love {a lot a lot}.

HOW WE CLEAN

Initially when I started reading on cloth diapers, I noticed that the popular thing to purchase was the "spray." This spray { Bumkins Cloth Diaper Sprayer, Chrome }attaches to your toilet and makes your life easier by washing off the mess. For me though? I just imagined the kind of trouble I would be getting myself in with a spray. It probably would not have been pretty.

Instead, we stuck to the traditional dump and flush {and a little bit of swishing around}. I then clean the rest by hand in the sink and throw it in my wet bag until ready for wash. Obviously when there is not a dirty diaper, those I just take out the insert and throw in the wet bag right away. I love when there are no dirty diapers. But then again, I have yet to find someone that prefers to change the soiled ones.

Also, we use cloth wipes and this is as simple as just using washcloths. I like the really thin ones and buy mine here baby washcloths. Cloth wipes with what? Just hot water my friends.

LIKES/DISLIKES 

This is easy.

Like: price, no chemicals, less waste, and can I mention again---money saving!

Dislikes: inconvenience at times, the mess, and the extra laundry. Also that my other family members really dislike this cloth diapering venture and make a stink about it. 

IN CONCLUSION

Cloth diapering has been one of the best decisions that I have made as a parent and one that I really enjoy {Eh, you know to a certain extent}, and that I wish I had done with my first. It's definitely not something that I push on others and I am totally not the anti-disposable diaper lady. I'm totally for whatever works for each individual family, but if someone decides that they want to try cloth, I'm also their biggest cheerleader. 

Now, excuse me while I go blow up some balloons, put on some party hats, and make a little noise.