(Long Post About) Cloth Diapers

When Todd and I were pregnant we discussed what sort of diapers we wanted to use: disposable, biodegradable, flushable, or cloth. Wanting to choose something environmentally-friendly, and after looking at cost we decided to try cloth. Todd researched mom-blogs for hours to find out the most liked, most absorbent, best quality, prices, etc., and bought us some from several brands to try out.

After we had Regina, the hospital had newborn diapers that we used while we were there and when we got home we used the newborn and size one diapers that people bought us for my baby shower. Reggie had ten to twelve dirty diapers a day as a newborn and I remember Todd asking me if I was hesitant to use the cloth diapers we had purchased after all. I responded in the affirmative and was glad he was feeling the same as I was. When we began running a little low on the gifted disposables we began using gPants, which are like cloth diapers with a flushable insert. We only bought small gPants and needed to use the three packs of flushable inserts before she outgrew them. I really liked the gPants at first, feeling like they were just as convenient as disposable, only you didn't throw anything away. However, as a newborn she soiled outside the insert and I ended up having to wash the diaper and liner nearly each time anyway, as I would with regular cloth diapers. I think I would like the gPants more in larger sizes when she has more wet diapers and less messy ones.

After a couple of months, when the gPants were dirty and we were nearing the end of their flushable inserts, we began using our cloth diapers. We have two bumGenius diapers, two Little Bee Co. diapers, one Tots Bots, two Flip diaper covers, and twelve old school prefold cloths diapers (with Snappi cloth diaper fasteners). After Regina had had so many blow outs (some while I was shopping on a road trip with no access to laundry facilities and had to ask the employee for a plastic bag to put all of the poop clothes in, while I rushed to the bathroom at the back of the store with a baby and my front covered in gross) I was no longer nervous about using cloth diapers. It is the same as/easier than dealing with a blow out that gets on everything. You still have to wash everything.

We'll start with my least favorite. The prefold, old timey cloth diapers. They absorb all of the wet and just stay so so wet. I feel like when I use these I have to change Reggie really frequently because I don't want anything to leak onto her clothes, and I don't want her to be uncomfortable with the super peed on cloth sticking to her skin. I only use them when my other diapers are in the wash.

The Flip diaper cover goes over the prefold with Snappi and is intended to be a barrier between wet and her clothes, but it's bulky and I don't think it's very comfortable for her.

Her Tots Bots diaper is wonderfully easy because it has velcro, nice stretch, and does not have an insert. I really love it and it is sooooooo soft inside.

The Little Bee Co. diapers are really adorable. They have snaps instead of velcro and have soft inserts that are easy enough. We have to put two inserts in the diaper at night because she sleeps for 8.5-9 hours and if I don't sometimes she wets her (sometimes my) bed. Another wonderful thing about Little Bee Co. is that they donate a diaper to an orphan in need for each diaper you purchase.

bumGenius diapers are my top pick, as far as cloth diapers go. They are nearly identical to The Little Bee Co., but I think the fabric is holding up a little better. It has not gotten nubby at all in the wash while the Little Bee diapers have. Although I really like how quick and easy the velcro of the Bummis diaper is, I'm afraid that after a while the velcro will wear out and I'll have to replace it.

All of the cloth diapers we bought are one size/adjustable so they will last until she is toilet trained. I have found cloth diapers soft, easy, really cute, and just as convenient as disposable.