On the decision to cloth diaper...

Disclaimer: I want to post about why JP and I chose to cloth diaper. I want to make it perfectly clear that I don't judge or hate on anyone who chooses not to cloth diaper.

The number 1 factor in our decision was the $$.

I like to think I'm frugal.

(I'm not.)

I just really like spending money on crap that I want. >.>  Now, of course I WANT our baby! Ha ha ha... most days. But what I really mean is new records for our record player... and new cook books, and fabric for my sewing machine, and a trip to Germany in a few months, and a trip home for Thanksgiving.... and.... and... and...

You know what I'm talking about here.

So, since we plan on having more kids than just MJ, we figured a $500 investment that could be spread out over a few kids and then possibly passed on or resold beats the hell out of $2000+ diapering each kid.

Secondary to that $$ issue there is the environmental concern. Disposable diapers sit in landfills basically forever. It's nasty. I can't throw a disposable diaper in a trash barrel and feel good about myself afterwards.

I just can't.

Using cloth is not nearly hard enough to justify disposable diapers in my opinion. Washing cloth diapers and hanging them out to dry doesn't have the impact on the environment that throwing away 10+ diapers every day does. With cloth poop goes where poop belongs, in the toilet, not in the garbage.

Also, I plan on potty training early. Like six-months-old early. Cloth diapers are not as comfortable as disposables are. It will be easier to potty train MJ because he is more aware of every time he eliminates than babies that can't feel the wetness because of how super absorbent 'sposies are.

One of the main reasons why it's so difficult to potty train a 2 or 3 year old is because parents have spent the past 2 or 3 years essentially "teaching" their child that it's okay and correct to eliminate in their diaper. They are so comfortable and used to doing it that way they struggle to adjust to going in the toilet.

A few more added perks:

-cloth diapers breathe better than disposables and help keep diaper rash at bay.
-no harsh chemicals against baby's delicate skin
-no need to rush out for diapers at 3am because you've suddenly run out
-there are many different varieties, some even use a plastic free disposable insert (best of both worlds!)
-take good care of them and they can be resold, sometimes at half the price you originally paid for them!


In addition to the reasons above, they're so freakin' cute!

How cute is that tush?

I love our cloth collection, I love that we can use them on future babies, I love that they will help him potty train easier, I love that they are better for the earth, and I love that MJ's but is so cute in them!