Don't let cloth diapering "bum" you out!

Cloth diapering.  What kind of thoughts run though your head when you hear that?  Based on feedback that you guys have given me in the past I know that last year at this time 35% of you used them all the time, 21% used them some of the time, 13% of you were thinking about using them and 31% did not use them. 

I have found myself in each of those categories at one time or another.  When my first child was born 6 years ago I was pretty clueless about baby products (a funny thought now) and didn't even realize that cloth diapering was still an option.  I caught on pretty quickly though and was trying them out before Hunter turned one.  I have since used them with Ashlyn and now Quinten as well. 

One of my all time favorite cloth diaper brands is bumGenius (Quinten is wearing one in the image below). The "one size" style of these cloth diapers allowed me to start using them right away (although personally I waited until we were past the "infant black tar poop" phase) and keep on using them as he grows.  These are the same diapers I used with Ashlyn and then later with Quinten which means I saved even more money by getting more than one child diapered in them. 

bumGenius are easy enough to use that even my husband will get on board with using them.  I have enough diapers that I do laundry every 2-3 days (click here to find out how many diapers you might need to buy).  The clean up factor of cloth diapers isn't much of an issue with newborn poop (at least for breastfeed babies), you simply wash only diaper stuff together and it comes right out.  As they get older and start eating solids I start using a diaper sprayer and/or diaper liners to make clean up easy.  I just store the dirty diapers in my diaper pail liner and when it is time to wash I just invert my pail liner into the wash and toss in my liner along with it.  The nice thing washing cloth diapers is that (at least in my mind) it isn't the same as regular laundry because you don't have to fold them.  I just have a basket that I stack my diapers in and I am set to go!

After using cloth diapers for a while I realized I may as well also use cloth wipes and bottom cleaner which has added to my savings and further reduced the amount of chemicals touching my babies skin!

Aside from the huge overall savings of cloth diapers over disposables, they are also super cute and have several benefits such as reduced diaper rash (Quinten has not had diaper rash yet with cloth diapers), being safer for your child's skin and are void of possible side effects linked to future male infertility (click this link and scroll down for more info on that scary thought)! 

If you have not yet tried cloth I encourage you to check out some of the links above and consider it!  Also, stay tuned, bumGenius is coming out with two great new cloth diapering options that I am really excited about.  Simply comment below if you want to be emailed once these two new products are added to our site (should be within a month that the first product is ready and another month or two after that for the second).

Comments

[Laura]

Oh my goodness that is one AWESOME baby! He is just gorgeous, Heather!

[Julie A.]

Thanks so much Heather for posting this! Right before Micah was born I bought the Bummis Infant Diapering Kit and have yet to use it. We tried to use it at first, but my lil guy was so small that he sunk in his pre-fold. Then we have been having problems with breastfeeding (he has thrush), which has been SO frustrating and draining, that I have just been sticking to Seventh Generation diapers. I know I just need to jump start this clothing diapering thing, but definitely easier said than done. Your post is another reminder to me that it needs to be done not only for my baby, but for me too:)

[Heather]

I've thought about cloth diapering, but since I am trying to stay home with my daughter, we haven't been able to afford all the upfront costs. I'm hoping with child #2 we will be able to do it (especially if it's a boy!)

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=856404203]

Hi Heather, I started using cloth diapers when my son was six months old. I was a little overwhelmed by the idea at first (not knowing how to!) but decided to just jump into it. My son is almost two and I've stuck with cloth ever since! We use Bum Genius and Fuzzy Buns all-in-ones. I really regretted buying the Fuzzy Buns after using them and being able to compare the quality to Bum Genius.. UNTIL my son got old enough to rip the velcro diapers off! The Fuzzy Buns (with snaps) don't seem so bad now :) I love both of the brands, except I wish the Fuzzi Bunz had thicker inserts like Bum Genius. If Bum Genius made their cheaper diapers have snaps too, that would be the perfect diaper. I also use the diaper sprayer and just LOVE it!! I didn't buy it until a few months ago, and boy was I missing out on a much easier clean up. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=856404203]

I forgot to say... please share the BG updates with me!
___
I would be happy to, do you want to email me your email address? ~Heather

[Latoya]

I'm new to cloth diapering and trying to learn as much as possible.

Yes! please email me when the 2 new BG comes out.. thanks

[Stephanie]

Such a sweet picture of Quinten! Does he have a bit of red in his hair?

I am *this close* to making the leap to cloth diapering, by the way. Check back with me in a few months. ;)

[Nicole Portillo]

Yes, add me to your list too! I have never even thought of cloth diapers til i saw this lady at church with twin boys use them. I would like more info!!