Diaper Stash!

I just want to start by saying, I do NOT think that "cloth diapering" is a badge of honor for me or any sort of sign of superior motherhood. It's actually just something that has been a lot of fun for me and so since so many folks are curious about it, I thought it would make a fun blog post!

We have chosen cloth for 3 basic reasons (that I borrow from Lisa Bartle).
Money.
Environment.
Baby.

Cloth diapering can be outrageously expensive. It can also be really reasonable. The entire cost of ALL of the cloth diapers that I've purchased for Violet is somewhere around $250. This includes a full size small stash that is now in storage, a full medium stash most of which we are currently using, and the beginnings of a large stash. Best part is, I'll never have to buy smalls or mediums again....even if we have 10 more babies! (Which is NOT going to happen). Doesn't mean I WON'T buy more dipes (it's really really addicting!), I just won't HAVE to. I feel really good when I hang my dipes out to dry and look at what I kept out of the landfill. For me, this is just one way that I'm working at being a "steward" of the earth God has created. And I know that 'sposies have strange gels and chemicals in them that help them absorb 'better.' That way they work so great at night or on long trips! But it comforts me to keep that off of Violet's skin when I can.

Remember those old plastic pants? The ones that reeked of urine even straight out of the wash? And were hotter then heck? And squeaked a little when one walked? Well forget 'em. That is ancient (well, relatively) history! Cloth diapering is now fun, easy, stink-free, and well.....chic.

When we use those "old fashion" type diapers, we don't use pins either. We just fold the dipe in third and lay it in the cover, like so:


We have a dozen prefolds and 5 covers right now. The covers are all pretty, have velcro closures and feel much more like a really light canvas than plastic.


Robbie still likes the prefold and cover deal, but I much prefer the All in One (AIO) or All in Two (AI2) variety. These seem a lot like the 'sposie dipes and are great for when we're out or when someone else might be responsible for a diaper change.

These Bottom Bumpers are currently my favorite. I found them all used on-line here for about $12 each. See the absorbent layers? That is a separate piece that snaps out to speed drying.


These Blueberry dipes were our "daycare" diapers because they are literally all encompassed and seem just like using a 'sposie.


Cloth diapering can be outrageously expensive....especially when you get into embellished or the most favored brands. The pink diaper in back is a bumGenius which we received as a gift -- AMAZING diaper. The others were again on-line deals: First Class Baby, Lucy's Hope Chest, Crystal's Cloth:


We've had varying luck with using cloth at night, due to skin irritation. We are currently using 'sposies at night but when we are successful these Dream-Ez dipes are bulletproof! I got all 5 of these diapers in a trade with another Mama -- I sent her scrapbooking supplies and she sent me these!


We've found cloth wipes to also be better and more gentle for cleaning a bum. We have some actual cloth "wipes" but the rest of that stash is just baby washcloths. We just wet them with water, wring more out, and store in a wipes warmer.



This is a pic of our whole stash, all organized and put away.


Ahhh..... the things that excite me. Haha....