Diapers and more at Auction!

So you're thinking, "Why should I use cloth diapers?" Well I say, lots of reasons. The two biggest concerns for me when I was contemplating using cloth were - 1)Can I save money? 2)And how will my decision affect the environment? Well the answers are, 1) Yes you can save money. While the initial start costs are a bit more, in the long run you do save. Even when you add in the costs of washing & drying you will save a minimum of approximately $1200.00 over a 2-3 year period. If you are planning to have more than one child, you will not have your initial lay out of money and still have dipes to put on your little. So more savings! 2) Unfortunately, we've become a society of throw it away people. It is time for us all to start to make an effort to leave our world a cleaner, better place for our children to live in. And although my contribution may be small, I personally believe that every little bit helps. Billions of disposable diapers are thrown away every year. And although the plastic will break down, eventually, it does still leave small pieces of plastic in landfills. Most people do not dispose of the solid waste in their baby's diapers before putting them in the trash can and all that waste ends up at the landfill contaminating our land & water and attracting bugs that transmit and carry diseases. Of course washing & drying diapers will have an impact on our natural resources. I feel it is minimal in comparison. Plus if you line dry when possible you lower this impact & save money!

Some other thoughts, Disposable diapers are loaded with chemicals-sodium polyacrylate is what absorbs the liquid and turns into the gel.It has been linked to toxic shock syndrome & can cause allergic reactions, among other things. Dioxin, the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals, is a byproduct of bleaching paper that is used in disposables. None of this made using disposables sound more appealing to me.

I know some of you are wondering about how hard/easy it is to use cloth? Well obviously I think it's easy or I wouldn't be using them! :-) Both of the diapering systems I offer I have used and will say they are just as easy and convenient as disposables. Kushies have Aplix closures almost like the tabs on disposables and the Mother-ease have snaps. They are already formed so there's no need to fold, or hassle with clips or pins. If you really want convenience try the all in one style dipes, you don't even need to use a separate cover. I encountered a few minor obstacles when I got started, such as should I put water in the diaper pail or not, but got over them quickly. You will get a routine going and before you realize it, you're a pro. Plus you won't have to worry about running to the store at 3:00am because you forgot to get more disposables. What about leaks? If you are using a quality diaper not those ones meant a wipe up or burp clothes, but Kushies, Mother-ease, or another brand, you should not have leaks. If you do, be sure to check that the diaper and cover are the correct size. Also be sure there are no gaps around the legs. I do recommend washable liners for extra absorbency. I put my son Wyatt in a One Size dipe with a liner and cover(the Aristocrat) at night. I do not get up for middle of the night changings. And he wakes with his clothes and our sheets dry.

I really do enjoy the whole routine of diapering. I never feel like it's a chore. I like the way the dipes feel, so soft and cottony, the way they look on my son, and even hanging them out on the line in the sunshine. And although we are personally far from the potty training stage, I believe that cloth diapers make a child more aware of his/her wetness and more in tune with their bodily functions. Possibly leading to the desire to stay dry and therefore getting potty trained sooner.

If you're interested in cloth but not 100% convinced it's for you, buy 1 or 2 sample dipes and take it from there. You can start small and add as you go. If you have any questions, please email me lisa@thebabylane.com

Lisa is the proud owner of The Baby Lane:
Quality cloth diapers and accessories.Natural care products, earth friendly cleaning supplies, alternative healing remedies. We also offer a fine selection of wooden toys,lambskins, baby slings,gifts and more. Set up your gift registry today!