Everyday I’m Stuffing “Fluff”

The look I get from people when I say we primarily use cloth diapers is humorous. People tend to have a misconception about using cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers these days without really knowing the process. I’m not saying cloth diapering is the only way anyone should ever diaper their baby but just like breastfeeding, it’s a choice. And it’s a choice that requires some research. 

For us using cloth diapers was a financial decision. The upfront cost is definitely more than purchasing a box of disposables at the store, but in the end, we will be saving so much money in the months and years to come if we keep it up. 

The average family will spend around $1,400 over 2.5 years if they use a generic disposable diaper brand per child. If you choose to use a premium brand you’re looking at a cost of $2,500 a year; per child. When using cloth a good, standard diapering system will cost around $300 one time. Another perk of cloth diapering is that if you follow care instructions, your diapers will hold up nicely and will likely hold up to 50% of their value and are easily re-sellable. 

People also struggle with cloth diapering because there are multiple options and the information can be overwhelming. For me, I fell down the cloth diapering “rabbit hole” while researching the topic a time or two too many. Thankfully, I have a handful of friends that use cloth that were of great help when I had questions and pointed me in the right direction when they couldn’t answer my very specific things.

In the Dayton area, we have a fabulous resource in the store Samozrejme where you can purchase new cloth diapers, diapering accessories, attend re-stash sales and take diapering classes.

Something else I hear a lot when talking about cloth diapers is peoples aversion to the clean up aspect. Yes, I have to spray off the baby poo, but it’s baby poop. It’s really not that bad. Does it take me a couple extra minutes compared to a disposable? Yes. But once you get used to it, you honestly don’t even notice the time it takes, it’s just routine. I also hear about the extra laundry issue. I only do an extra load or two each week. Since I’m a stay at home mom it doesn’t really mess with our schedule in any way. So if you do work, just know there is extra laundry involved and plan accordingly. 

Using cloth can also be fun! Just like clothing, cloth diapers can be as plain or as fancy as you want them to be. I have diapers that are solid colors as well as ones with Harry Potter, floral, and animal prints. The options are endless and make building a diaper collection fun. 

At the end of the day, you have to choose what’s best for you and your family. Like so many things in the world, cloth doesn’t have to be a scary or weird thing. By simply doing your homework and giving it a try,  you may open a door to a world you never imagined before.

Using cloth is friendly when it comes to the environment, babies gentle skin, and your wallet. 

If you are curious about what using cloth in my home looks like feel free to ask questions in the comments; I love a good cloth diaper discussion!