A while back I posted about wanting a baby sling. When I was pregnant with my boys – eh um, more than 8 years ago – I wasn’t a savvy, internet surfing mommy who was able to discover such things. My knowledge of baby care products was limited to what I saw in Wal-Mart. ’nuff said
But now, eight years later, I see all of these amazing things that would make everything so great. The idea of having my baby with me most of the time and having my hands virtually free was something I just had to go for. How else would I type and hold baby, hmmm?
So my good friend Karin heard my plea and sent me a box full (like 8 full) of slings in all styles, patterns, and oh my word, degrees of fashion and convenience. I love it! It was like Christmas in October when I opened the box.
She also sent me a totally brand new double breast pump. Can I tell you I seriously prayed for that? I knew I needed one because unfortunately my last two papooses developed jaundice because they just didn’t get enough milk so the doctor had me pump and measure for every feeding. That was with a single, manual pump. All I did was pump. For six months I pumped, drank water, fed baby, drank water, changed diapers, drank water, took vitamins drank water, fed baby, pumped again… you get the idea. This pump got rave reviews and I’m quite sure it will give me some peace of mind when the little one gets here.
Just look at all that love she sent me… thanks, K!
Well the point of my rambling is that I’ve also discovered something else and I really would like some opinions about it. You know we are trying to save money and I’m a somewhat “green” or “organic” or “natural” mommy, however you want to put it. I’m just sort of mediocre in that area but I think I’m in awe of the concept of cloth diapering. Who knew there was more out there than Gerber white, rectangular, tri-folds with massive ducky safety pins?
I’ve discovered the cute, the fabulous, and the wow aka FuzzyBuns, bumGenius, and even Happy Heinys! I know it would save room in landfills and I know it would be easier on Baby Bayliss’s buns but is it really that much cheaper? Is it really worth the extra effort?
I’m asking because I would hate for us to invest in this and then find it is not as wonderful as I think it is. I just can’t imagine them not leaking, or not mildewing while in the bag for two days, or well.. you see what I’m saying.
Help a sista out… tell me about cloth diapering. Is it the way to go?
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
what a sweet friend!!!
ok i got some cloth diapers at a yard sale because i had kind of romanticized the whole idea of natural baby care and saving $$ and so forth. i used them just fine as long as she peed, but the first poop did me in. i could not handle it. i'm a cloth diaper wimp.
From an old mom…I have to agree with Melissa. But–they would be good for "home days"…keep in mind that I would NOT use them at all the first few weeks…as the poo is much like…ummm…shall we say, grainy poupon??
Anyway, disposable —great for trips…sicknesses —as in teething times—etc…but I would have some cloth ones on hand for those times when little "girl bayliss" has a rashy hiney. Because rashy hiney's need cloth. BREATHABLE.
And if you can "wash" everyday—then—it does save. I used to use a clothes line when our girls were growing up…and for softer diapers, there are many ways to soften them in the wash! Then hang to dry!
I'm just an old mom….what do I know?
Oh, one other tidbit…we invested in a food GRINDER when our youngest was a baby. I ground up all the food before seasoning and she ate what we ate…pureed. She loved it! That way YOU know EXACTLY what's in her food. Yes. I keep saying her….cuz I'm a hoping! FOR YOU!
Love you girlie!
Hi Amy:)
I would definitely give cloth diapering a try – it would save you SO much money. I have found several websites that help – I can try to find you those links and send them later. For the poo poo diapers there is something I have wanted to buy but never have – it is a sprayer that attaches to the toilet. I know of friends who have it and works well. Also something I just heard of from a friend is disposable liners so you can just throw those away and not even mess with poo poo. I have used both cloth and disposable diapers and of course spend so much money on disposable. I have some cloth ones if you want to give them a try. Most of mine though are the prefold but I have a few of the all in one. What I found is the ones with the velcro come undone too easily – the snaps are better.
Funny I actually was thinking about you and got online to see if I could email you directly about a question, and found your post about diapers.
If you have time could you email me back – my address is d_stjulien@yahoo.com
Hope you have a good weekend:)
Deborah
Nice slings!! I am looking for a few as well. I decided to dive into the cloth diapering thing also and have built up my stash. I decided on bumgenius 3.0 simply because they grow with baby. No need to buy different sizes. It seemed the most economical to me. We purchased 3 dozen prefolds and some sweet covers from blueberry. Plus 6 BG3.0. I know when you first start looking into cloth diapering the lingo seemed daunting. Have fun though!!!
(TTC for 12 years, conceived earlier this year, due in Feb with baby girl and SUPER excited!!)
What a wonderful blessing!!!
Cloth Diapers ROCK! At least they did 10-12 years ago when I used them for both of my kiddos. That was back in the day of folding, pinning, rubber pants and off you go…today it looks so much easier!!! I say go for it!
I don't CD, although I proposed the idea to my husband when I was pregnant and he shot it down immediately. ah well.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that you ROCK for being so dedicated to breastfeeding that you pumped with a manual pump that often. I have a manual to pump for when we're out and about and I can't stand the thing! You deserve that awesome gift.
Let me tell you…I used 'sposies' with 3 kiddos…and I'm now cloth diapering the 4th! It is worth the extra effort and I absolutely love it….so it doesn't seem like extra effort to me! I use an old bucket from cat litter (how appropriate) as a diaper pail and you can find ways to do it cheaper than many people. It really is awesome though.
Awwww… what a thoughtful gift! Karin has great style, doesn't she?
Hmmm… cloth diapers. If you think they would sit in your bag for 2 days, then I wouldn't suggest it. You can always try it out and see how you like it though. Personally, the money it costs to use disposable diapers is worth my sanity. Because babies poop and pee A LOT!
Love you, my friend!
What a great friend to send you those stylin slings. Where were those 10 years ago?
I worked in the early childhood field with infants and toddlers, for over 15 years. When it come to diapers, I saw lots of various types.
Personally, I think having a balance of both disposable and cloth are good to use.
Oh yeah, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Gold Bond Baby Powder was a blessing with my two kiddos for those diaper rashes. Of course, there is also Boudreaux's Butt Paste. lol They sell it at Walmart.
Blessings to you
Have to agree with Marsha. After 5 kids, I think that my sanity was worth more than the money I'd have saved using cloth diapers. (Made a deal with myself, though, that I'd buy the kids' everyday play-clothes at Goodwill, etc. to offset the cost of disposables.)
I had a friend who saved her disposable diapers for when she was away from home, and saved the cloth for at home.
Only YOU know what will work for you and your crew. Give yourself permission to try it and see how it works out. Either way, Baby Bayliss will be cute and adorable and spoiled rotten by 3 big brothers!!!
Can't wait!
Darnelle
My mom used cloth diapers on all of three of us (me, bro, sis)…when she got to my little sister (7 &1/2 years after me), she got a pattern to make velcro diapers! They were awesome! She made me some for my first baby. I pride myself on being a green girl, too. My laundry was/is in the basement, we were upstairs…I had the episiotomy that wouldn't heal (horrer for stairs!)…and baby girl had the umbilical cord that wouldn't fall off. I tried cloth diapers for about a week and chickened out. I so wish I wouldn't have though. There is nasty stuff in disposable diapers sitting against baby skin (not to mention, as you said, the time in landfills). I wonder if I could have helped my poor daughter's allergies and eczema by sticking things out with cloth diapers. I didn't even try with my son. I was a wimp. If I could do it all over again, with the knowledge I have now…I would've tried harder and been better organized. You're probably a lot more organized after three babies…I'd give it a go.
I found some of the cute cloth diapers at a yard sale and used them some. Especially on home days. And to help minimize the cost of disposable. But I always had disposables for trips to town or church. But otherwise, cloth diapers are great, but I never could manage them exclusively.
I think having a balance of both disposable and cloth are good to use.
Work From Home india
i would say go for it. I used them for my 3 kids but I have a disclaimer. The first month after delivery use an organic or no bleach disposable for your sanity and to give your body a chance to heal after the birth. They are really no more difficult, dont smell as a bad as disposables and the liners are fab. And a bonus they have high resale value.. Dirkie