Our decision to cloth diaper.

A couple months ago, we made a sort of snap decision (haha.. pun intended) to start cloth diapering Cohen.  He was 7 months old. I wish, so much, that some one had talked to me and convinced me to do this from the get-go.

Before I looked into it, I used to think, "Yuck.. peed on cloth with poop on it that I have to touch." That's not convenient, that's not fun. To be honest, I didn't really even think of cloth until our baby shower stash of diapers (which was quite large, actually) ran out around 5 months and we started to feel the burden of how expensive disposable diapers were.

We did this for several reasons. First, to save money. And it does! Since we bought our first big batch of diapers those couple months ago, we haven't had to buy a $40 box of disposables (which we would've certainly done once or twice by now.) I will not lie, it takes a pretty penny to get your diaper stash built up and to buy a few accessories you kind of need to cloth diaper. I'll go over the cost later. But once you buy 18-24 diapers, you are set and don't need buy anymore. I'll expand on that thought later, too. :)

Second, the environment! Landfills in American soil are 30% full of disposable diapers! It takes something like 200 years for a disposable diaper to decompose. (Now, who sat around and waited for that to happen, I don't know.) :) Despite popular belief, disposable diapers require 2x the amount of water to produce than it takes to wash your cloth diapers. It takes 3x as much energy to produce a disposable diaper. For every one baby using disposables, 1 ton of garbage is created (by the end of their diapering lifetime.) And last, and kind of disturbing.. 1 cup of crude oil is used to manufacture the plastic in one disposable diaper.
(these stats were found and cited here)

Third, our baby's bottom! We wanted something natural to be on Cohen's bottom. Babies who wear cloth experience less (if any!) diaper rashes. The cloth wicks away moisture, helping keep bottoms dry. We know what fabrics we're buying so, we can get all natural fibers that we know won't bother Cohen.

Fourth, they're incredibly cute. Who doesn't love a fluffy-bottomed baby? They are not your mother's cloth diapers. They are easy to use, come in many colors and styles, and are convenient. I was worried about the convenience issue, but they are made to be easy to use anywhere.

Time for some pictures!

We decided on BumGenius 4.0 one size pocket diapers. This means they have snaps that you can snap down to make them smaller, then the waist is also adjustable with snaps. There is also a hook/loop version (velcro) but we figured Cohen would finagle his way out of velcro easier than snaps. At the back right are gFlappers (more info later), bottom right are our cloth wipes and then there is a sample of Rockin' Green cloth diaper detergent. 

These are part of the artist series and are just adorable. Otherwise, bumgenius are solid and super cute.

Cloth diapers should not go into your dryer, as it will ruin the elastic after a while. It is suggested to line dry them in the sunlight. The sun dries them quickly and also helps remove poopy stains. (I doubted the suns stain fighting abilities but am now 100% convinced!)

Cohen's first cloth diaper experience! Happy as a clam! Not uncomfortable to him in the least.

And just look at that booty! So fluffy and cute!

Here is my big bag, that came in the mail a few days after I got the sample. This is the start up kit with a bag of detergent, a scoop and "Shake it up," a powder to help keep odors at bay in your diaper pail and wet bags. It is made by a stay at home mom right here in Texas! It can be purchased here. You buy either "Classic, Soft, or Hard Rock" depending on your town's water type. We bought Hard Rock. It has worked like a charm so far--no stinkies here! This bundle is $24.95, plus shipping. But, they sell this in my local cloth shop, so I'll never have to pay shipping again. :) And one bag like the one pictured above there (The Nappy Shoppe) is $15.95.

This is a monkeydoodlez Tuck And Go. It's hook and loop closure. It is a cover, you simply lay your own inserts (the part that soaks up pee) inside and fix it to your very wiggly baby and go! (hence, "tuck and go") These are sized, meaning you buy it for the stage your baby is in currently. 

You lay the inserts in that opening right there. Pretty easy. This cover is $14.95. Great value.

This is a standard AIO (All in one) monkeydoodlez diaper. It is sized diaper, also. It is hook/loop closure.

It's very, very simple to use. No stuffing required. I find myself grabbing this diaper when we are in a big hurry. It's a good one to keep in the diaper bag. This one is $19.25 over at the Nappy Shoppe. 

This diaper. Oh, this diaper. I love it. It is a Sweet Pea OS (one size) pocket diaper. I just love the fit. 

It is microfiber on the inside, so it is super soft on Cohen's bum. And the owls? Don't get me started. It's a great deal of a diaper too. At the Nappy Shoppe, it's $15.95. And this includes 2 inserts. A soaker insert and a smaller one. I have since gone back for a royal blue and turquoise sweet pea. Love it. 

And these cuties are gDiapers. They look ridiculously cute on a baby bum. They have a snap in leak-proof liner. Then you stuff that liner with either a biodegradable disposable insert, or your own cloth inserts! Makes them great for trips! These are sized. We got larges for Cohen.

These two came together at Babies R Us, and cost $26.99. But the Nappy Shoppe sells individual gPants for $19.99.

This is Coco's Bummis swim diaper! No inserts needed. Did you know that disposable "swim diapers" don't really absorb pee? They soak up with water the minute they are submerged and might keep poop from escaping if they aren't too full of water. This diaper will hold poop if baby happens to do that in the pool. And it looks so cute! And baby doesn't need a swim suit with this one. $12.75 at the Nappy Shoppe.

And alas, my favorites. BumGenius 4.0 OS (one size) pocket diapers. So incredibly easy and real freakin' cute. These come with 2 inserts, a larger "toddler" one and a smaller "infant" one. We use both now. These are generally a little more expensive. But I bought two sets of these when they were buy 5 get 1 free. One is $17.95 at the Nappy Shoppe. 

They're very soft inside. And oh-so-easy. And the designs and colors are to die for. 

And these amazing inserts are called gFlappers. They're made at the Nappy Shoppe. They're amazing. It's a three layer insert, for tons of absorbency, but only sewn together on one end so it comes nice and clean in the washing machine. They're $7.85. I have 5. :) We use these at night. We use all bamboo, but they make them with hemp and bamboo. I'm nervous about the oils in hemp for Cohen's skin.

Also pictured way up at the top, Sweet Pea cotton wipes. These are $5.95 for 8. We wet those and use them instead of wipes. 

You'll also need a wet bag for being out and about. I got mine at Planet Wise for either $16.50 or $19.00, I can't remember. 

I also bought a pail liner from the Nappy Shoppe. It lines a standard kitchen trash can and you store used diapers in it until you're ready to wash. Mine is Wahmies brand and was $17.95.

We use flushable liners in our diapers. It's a thin, paper-like liner that lays in the diaper. Pee passes through and it catches poop! Then you lift it out and flush it away! Right now we're using TinyTush liners. These are usually less than $10 for a 100 of them. 

I feel like that's all if it for now. But we've been cloth diapering for about 2 months and we still love it. I might do a part 2, later, but this is so long as is! Any questions? :)