Cloth diapers might seem like a step back in time but in reality we need to become more conscious of our environment and this is one step parents can take to start the process and ensure our next generations have a place left to move forward.
There are several different options when it comes to cloth diapers. There is the pocket cloth diaper, the all-in-one, the one size fits all and the two part pre folds. They all have some strong environmental advantages but some types make more sense in practicality, convenience, and cost.
Obviously, you will want to pack as many diapers as you think your child will use during the time you plan to be away from home. Then add an extra diaper or two for backup. I like to keep an extra couple of diapers and some cloth diaper wipes in the car at all times, just in case we are out longer than I had planned. What do you do with wet or messy diapers?
Cloth diapering has been a satisfying experience for both of us this past year. It's been a little messy at times since baby has begun solids and I had to use a diaper sprayer to clean out the mess before throwing the diaper into the washer, but the benefits we've both had from this experience have been tremendous. Now that I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom, I've found that using the prefolds with covers have made washing preparation even easier than my beloved pocket diapers.
We use cloth diaper wipes and a spray bottle or foaming bottle of wipes solution. Just spritz or foam the solution onto the wipe and clean baby's behind. Then, wash the wipes along with your diapers. Our favorite wipes are made with a cute flannel print on one side and soft bamboo velour on the other. What about overnight trips?
Not only have my cloth diapers contained blow-outs better, they've kept baby drier overnight (the disposables have always leaked for me even though I've tried various brands), and they've kept diaper rash at bay. Also, they're much more economical. The average family can save approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per child using cloth. As an added bonus, cloth diapers are environmentally-friendly and free from potentially harmful chemicals found in so many disposable diapers.
I highly recommend cloth diapering to any caregiver. It's been such a breeze and I enjoy knowing that my baby is happy, we're doing something sustainable for the environment, and to top it all of, we're saving money.
