Unless you decide to go full-time elimination communication, your baby's going to wear diapers. And, when it comes to those, parents have two choices: disposable and cloth.
Over the years I've used both disposable and cloth for varying reasons, but when all is said and done, I’m most happy when using our stash of cloth diapers. Nothing beats a fluffy baby bum!
I get it — the thought of cloth diapers can be overwhelming, but I promise it can be more simple than you think. So if you’re deliberating between choosing disposable or cloth diapers for your baby, consider these reasons for joining Camp Cloth:
You can’t beat the savings
On average, babies use 2,500 diapers in their first year and an additional 1,500-plus every year after. Buying disposable diapers becomes a huge monthly expense for families, but if you opt for cloth, you avoid that. In fact, when I cloth diaper, my only regular expense is a special laundry detergent I buy about four times a year.
They're best for the environment
Disposable diapers take 500 years to decompose. FIVE HUNDRED YEARS. Our landfills are full of diapers and will be for a very long time. Using cloth, even part-time, significantly reduces a family’s landfill contribution.
They’re supercute
Don’t even get me started on all the bright and brilliant colors and patterns available in the cloth diaper market. Some of my favorites are from Thirsties and BumGenius – so stinkin’ cute!
Washing is not gross
Having a baby means you will encounter poop and pee on a regular basis. Regardless of if a baby’s output goes into a disposable or cloth diaper, you’re going to see and smell it. With cloth, used diapers go into a wash pail and then straight into the washing machine. You don’t have to touch anything. Also, infant poo is water soluble, so it literally washes away in the washing machine without any extra cleaning or effort. Once your little one starts eating solids, you’ll want to shake or spray poop into the toilet. But honestly, it’s not a major step or deterrent once you’re in the groove of cloth.
You can build your stash for free
If you put cloth diapers on your baby registry and shout from the rooftops that they’re one of your top priorities, it’s very likely that you won’t have to spend a dime on your cloth diaper stash. You or your shower host can even announce a raffle at your shower for every person who gifts one to incentivize that gift choice.
They last forever
Many of our family’s cloth diapers have lasted through multiple children. So even though the upfront investment (a few hundred dollars if you buy them all yourself) is daunting, they last and last and last. Especially the one-size snap style of cloth diapers.
You don’t have to commit 100%
As I mentioned, over the years, I have used both disposable and cloth. With my last baby, I was probably 50-50. When we were at home, I used cloth. When we left home, I would use disposable. Feel free to dabble in cloth. You don’t have to commit 100% to save money and lessen your landfill contribution.