but anyway, taking the recommendation of our doctor, we have switched to cloth diapers. and much to my surprise, i LOVE them. they are so much more user friendly than i thought they were. Even the poopy diapers arent that bad, to be honest. but then again, we've only been using them for a day and a half, so we'll see if i actually like them. but for now, here's what i've learned...
1 - they're soft. the prefolded diapers (they sell those at walmart) are soft and actually absorb alot more than i thought they would.
2 - they're so darn cute!! i mean really, my little girl is crawling around on the floor with a dish towl around her bum! (not literally of course)
3 - they're really easy to use. even the prefolds with the pull up style covers are easy. but if you can spare it, buy a GOOD cover. they sell these little vinyl pull over covers at walmart, and they are cheap for a reason. they do the job but they're noisy, ugly, slippery, and they dont hold in as much as say a kushi or a gDiaper. those two brands are relatively inexpensive and work well, and they are much cuter than the vinyl ones. not to mention that the vinyl ones dont seem very sturdy. i feel like with one little poke i could tear a hole in them, where as the others are really thick and will last much longer
4 - there are alot of risks with using disposable diapers that i had never heard before. for instance, a chemical that is used to make them absorb better, when released into the air, has been associated with Asthma. and the clear gel crystals that you feel inside a really wet diaper (and sometimes come out and get all over the baby) are actually quite dangerous as well.
5- they make these AWESOME things called "Snappis" and they are a MUST have for cloth diapering. not really because the pins do just as well and they're now made with plastic caps to keep them from opening and stabbing the baby. but they really are very convenient and nice to have. they make fastening a prefold diaper quick and easy and if you're like me and a little worried about having a sharp needle so close to my baby's tummy, they offer peace of mind. these are a little pricey in my mind (anywhere from 3-5 dollars a piece), but they're worth it.
6 - all in one diapers are great. there's no need to use prefolds or pins or snappis - though you can for added leak protection for bed and nap times - because its all sewn in together. you can also get liners to put in them so there's even more protection.
7 - they make this solution that you put in a ziplock or other bag with wash cloths or cloth wipes and they become reusable baby wipes. the solution is fairly cheap and just think. you wash the wipes when you wash the diapers, and you never again have to buy baby wipes. not only that but you can control the chemicals that you put on your baby's bottom.
8 - if you want to buy the nice covers for cloth diapers, you can call consignment shops in your area, but unless alot of people in your area are on the cloth diaper bandwagon, you're not likely to find them unless you get lucky. considering the cost of the covers, alot of moms opt to save them for future babies or even grandbabies, rather than get back a small percentage of what they paid for them. Chances are, you're going to have to order them online. Target sells them, but only online. and websites like Ebay or Amazon also sell them. (just be careful, i accidentally bid on one from ebay, won, and i have to wait a month to get it because - of all places - its coming from hong kong. worth it? maybe, considering i paid less than 6 bucks on it including shipping, but i'd rather have it now.
9 - most people do NOT use cloth diapers. they see it as an inconvenience and as being old school, and when you tell them you're going to use them, they'll look at you like you're some kind of hippy. but most people that i've talked to actually prefer to use cloth diapers over the disposable - if they've actually tried it. alot of people are just disgusted by the thought of dealing with the poop.
10 - poopy diapers arent that hard to clean. Sophie's poop usually shakes right off, but i read of one women who bought a spatula from the dollar store and keeps it at the changing station for the poops and then cleans it accordingly. also they make these REALLY cool sprayer things to spray them off with. I'll probably never buy one because, lets face it, there are better things to spend the money on - like cute printed covers :) - and all it is is a glorified kitchen sink sprayer that hooks to your toilet. cool? yes. worth it? i dont think so.
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