Are you thinking about cloth diapering? Many parents consider reusable diapers for one reason or another. I myself was in your shoes six years ago, while expecting my second daughter. I had VERY briefly used some cloth diapers with my eldest, but didn't stick with it, or really give it a solid try. I felt a pull towards cloth while pregnant with #2, and after making the leap, have used cloth diapers with three of my four girls. Keep reading to find out my main reasons I chose/choose to use cloth diapers.
Saves Money
In my experience this is the number one reason I see people wanting to use cloth diapers (closely followed by environmental reasons). Cloth diapers have a higher initial outlay than disposable diapers, however you only have to buy them once. And in only a few months of buying disposable diapers, you'll have spent the same amount as you would have on cloth.
I know there’s a lot of debate about whether cloth is actually cheaper, and I would urge you to do your own research if this is the main reasoning behind your decision to cloth. I have left some links at the bottom of this paragraph to get you headed in the right direction. I fully believe that if you purchase only what you need, and have a good wash routine down, that cloth really can be cheaper. Especially since you can often pick up cloth diapers pre-loved, and assuming they’re still in good condition, you can sell them on once you’re finished with them.
Environmental Impact
Many people who choose to cloth diaper, myself included, do so for environmental reasons. This is also a much-debated topic, as many claim that once you factor in the materials, water, and energy to make cloth diapers, in addition to the energy, water, and detergent to clean them, cloth diapers aren't as eco-friendly as they're touted to be. However, it costs energy, water, and resources to create disposable diapers too, that then got thrown in the trash, unlike reusables that can be used time and time again.
Less Blowouts
I don’t know what magic it is, but I can hand-on-heart say that experienced far fewer blow-outs when my kids were in cloth diapers vs when they wore disposable. The reduced number of outfit changes was very welcomed, especially having other children to run around after.
They're CUTE
There's really no argument here, cloth diapers are freaking cute. Some disposable brands have started putting patterns on their diapers, but they're pretty costly compared to their not-cute counterparts, and you're limited in the designs available. The cloth-diaper market is filled with so many colors and designs that you're sure to find some that you love, including plain white, if that's your jam.
No Saggy Butt
If you've ever had a kid in diapers you know what I mean when I say this haha. And while it's not a big deal at all, it's a nice little added bonus. Cloth diapers don't change shape or size as they get wet like disposables do, so there's no saggy diapers in sight.
Good for Sensitive Skin
Cloth diapers are much like clothes in the sense that you can control what chemicals you put against your children's skin. Not all detergents are rated for cleaning cloth diapers, but there's a good selection of ones that are, so you'll no doubt be able to find one that matches your needs. My girls all suffer from sensitive skin, so this is really helpful for our family.
These are only some of the benefits of cloth diapering, but I hope that they help you in your decision to cloth diaper. If you’re just getting into the world of cloth diapering, and feeling overwhelmed by all the different acronyms, come check out my post on cloth diaper jargon here.
Lizzie