Making the Switch to Cloth Diapers

Are you considering making the switch to cloth diapers? As a mom, I wish that I made the switch to cloth now that I have an idea of what to expect. When my kids were still in my belly, choosing modern cloth nappies wasn’t really an option because I thought that I had to use those ugly cloth diapers and then cover them with plastic pants. Long are the days since plastic pants are a requirement for making the switch.

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My grandmother babysat several children who used cloth diapers in the 80s and I remember all the trouble that she went through to keep them clean. They are definitely not the modern cloth nappies available today. The old cloth nappies were gross and you had to deal with the gross, smelly bucket of old cloth diapers. The thought of dealing with the icky smelling bucket was enough of a reason for me to choose disposable diapers for all three of my children.

However, if I could rewind back to 2011 when I was pregnant with my youngest and had known that cloth diapers have evolved drastically over the years. I would have done a bit more research on determining if they would be the right fit for our family.

Most moms, do wait until their baby is about a month old or a bit longer to make the switch to modern cloth nappies. Newborns tend to go through 10 to 12 diapers in those first few weeks because their digestive system isn’t fully developed. As their digestive system matures, they will have fewer bowel movements on a daily basis.

We wanted to share the 7 top reasons why you should consider making the switch to cloth diapers.

Saves Money

This is one of the biggest reasons why families make the switch to save money over the years while all the kids have to wear a nappy. Buying cloth diapers may seem expensive at first but in the long run, you will save money especially if you have several children.

You Don’t Have to Start With a Huge Stash

Most families can’t afford to buy several hundred dollars up front on a huge stash of cloth diapers. Instead, they opt to wash every day as opposed to every other day, purchase several days worth of cloth diaper inserts, or use disposables when your stash is dirty. The diaper covers can be reused with a quick wipe down between diapers changes which will help cut down on laundry.

Do remember the smaller your stash the more wear and tear that you place on your diapers. This is one of the reasons that it is important to continue to grow your stash on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid to buy used cloth diapers too. As long as they are cared for by the other person, you too could get several years out of them too.

Don’t forget to include overnight inserts into your stash. This will help keep your baby dry at night and help prevent nighttime leaks.

Cuts Down on Waste

More than 20 billion diapers are added to the landfill each year and it creates more than 3.5 tons of waste. I personally would have used cloth diapers for this reason alone. Our landfills are getting full and disposable diapers not only contain harsh chemicals and feces. The chemicals and feces are also contaminating the soil and possibly the water supply in your area. Just thinking about it makes me cringe.

Appropriate Disposal of Human Waste

Modern cloth nappies also allow all your baby’s waste to be disposed of properly and keep it out of the landfill. No need to worry about dealing with poop. It happens and it is easy to spray off the soiled nappy in the toilet and flushed it out of your house via the septic system. Any remaining solid pieces are washed off in the washing machine.

Both of these disposal methods are the correct way to dispose of human waste. It wasn’t meant to be tossed into the trash and go to the landfill. When the waste leaves your home, it goes to the waste treatment plant where the solid matter is processed and treated.

Comfort

Have you ever gotten a disposable diaper wet and put it against your skin to see what it feels like to your baby? If you leave it on your skin long enough, you will notice that it gets hot and sticky due to body heat, uric acid in the urine, and moisture in the diaper. Modern cloth nappies are designed to allow airflow and help wick the moisture away from your baby’s skin.
Experts recommend that your babies diaper be changed every two hours. Cloth nappies don’t hold as much urine as a disposable diaper. Disposable diapers contain a gel polymer that helps absorb the urine until your child is changed.

Cuteness Overload

The cloth diaper covers are adorable on your baby’s bum. Have you ever seen a baby that is wearing modern cloth diapers? The diaper covers come in a wide variety of prints for you to choose from to fit your baby. Some of the covers are even considered rare and can be very expensive to purchase them.

Helps with Potty Training

Modern cloth nappies can help make the transition to big girl or boy undergarments easier. As a toddler, your child should start realizing that their bladder is full and when they empty it inside a cloth diaper, they will be able to sense the wetness. Helping them be mindful that a full bladder equals wet pants can help make your child easier to potty train. Remember potty training is a process and it might take your child longer to make the connection than other children around you.

Every time, I see a cute baby wearing a cloth diaper the more I wish that I use them with my kids. My season of having babies is over and it makes me sad that I can’t collect my own stash cute diaper covers. We brainstormed our ideas and came up with the top 7 reasons why you should consider making the switch to cloth diapers and we hope that you agree.

Photo Credit: Pixabay via Creative Commons

Have you considered making the switch to cloth diapers?

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