I remember the days of raising our godson and the “fun” of buying diapers and wipes once a month. We would take our monthly trip to BJ’s and the box of diapers and wipes would run us around $42 a month. Not bad! But boy have things changed in the past 4 years (or so I’ve been told my the people with little ones these days).
Diapers are EXPENSIVE! I had the chance to talk with a coworker who’s little one just turned 1 and she shared her diapering budget with me. She explained to me how diaper prices have increased while the number of diapers in each package have decreased. And that discovery lead us into the cloth diapering conversation.
She began to use cloth diapers because she realized there had to be a less expensive way to change a baby! She shared with me her successes and failures and then I began to do my own research…
Cloth diapering is a skill. it does not come natural and one must learn how to master this skill for it to be successful. Cloth diapering involves using reusable, washable diapers that are actually kindda cute.
The system I am using, has 3 parts. The diaper, a cloth insert for soaking urine and disposable liners for catching poop.
It sounds nasty and difficult, but to my surprise It’s a very easy skill to master. One just has to be determined. I see it no different than changing a disposable diaper, I’ll just be saving lots more money!
I (and when I say “I”, it means we), set in our minds to use cloth diapers because they will save us lots of money! Honestly, that is my only reason but it is a strong enough argument. After doing my math the typical family with one child spends on average $40 to $90 a month on diapers. (These are actual quotes from my sister and coworker). Within a year that comes up to about $480 to $1080 a year and we are only dealing with diapers for one child. My cloth diapering system will cost about $300 to start up and have the potential to last not just the first year but each subsequent year and for any and all Davis children! If you don’t believe me do the research yourself at http://www.clothdiaper.com (Plus my coworker said she’d give me her supplies once she is finished with it.) So, price alone is a great reason for cloth diapering!!
Also, within my research, I discovered:
- I have to use a particular detergent, which happens to be the one I am stocked up on…All Free Clear or essentially any detergent that is free of perfumes and the like.
- I am not to use fabric softener sheets when drying them and they can be washed right with baby clothes.
- The disposable sheets are used to catch the poop (and put into the toilet or the trash), so not much poop gets on the actual liner.
- Babies that use cloth diapers experience less diaper rashes as the cloth material draws urine away from the body.
- It will be difficult to go from cloth to using disposables, so this decision must be final. That transition to cause serious diaper rash problems.
- It’s the eco friendly way to change a baby. The earth is the Lord’s and we need to play our part and be good steward’s over what we can.
All in all, I am extremely excited about the concept. I was so excited that after buying only 2 diapers on EBay I practiced with Zane and had a pretty good experience. And she didn’t hold back on me as her first diaper change was a number 2. The flushable liner held up well and I can’t wait to place my order on EBay and order my massive load of diapers. I am excited and determined to MAKE THIS WORK!
And oh, the pregnancy is going extremely well. My heart is filled with joy as I experience the jumps and bumps of this baby. To date, I am 27 weeks and 2 days, AKA 6 months and outside of the backaches I experience from prolonged sitting, I feel (and look) GREAT!
Happy, Healthy Momma
Happy. Healthy Baby
No comments:
Post a Comment