Fluff Friday- Goodbye Disposables, Hello Cloth

To be honest, if I would have had my baby before my oldest sister had her baby, I am not sure that he would have been cloth diapered. I didn't even know that cloth diapering was still a "thing" until I observed my sister and brother-in-law cloth diaper my nephew. I quickly discovered that cloth diapering just keeps getting better with time. Here are questions and answers to some of the questions that I hear the most.

Do people really still use cloth diapers?

• YES! With all of the choices now available, cloth diapers have become as easy and convenient to use as disposable diapers. If you are hesitant about cleaning them,you have options. There are many cloth diapering delivery and washing services so that you can pay someone to clean them and even sometimes supply them, or you can just wash them yourself (which is what we do in our family.)

 What are the Benefits to cloth diapering?
1.) You WILL save money.

• You can expect to spend $1,500 to $2,000 or more on disposable diapers by the time your baby is out of them.  (If you buy premium or biodegradable options, that number could reach $3,000.)
• If you were to buy 20 of the most expensive cloth diapers available, you would still be spening less than $400. So now factor in detergent and water bills and you are STILL saving more than half of what you would be spending on disposables. 
• Our money that we save by cloth diapering helps us fund other areas of Jameson's life. Swimming lessons, music lessons, you know, the fun stuff.  
• You do need to know that while cloth diapering will save you money in the long run, it does require an investment up front. (I will talk about this in detail in a later post.)

2.)  You WILL prevent waste.

• The average child will go through anywhere from four to eight thousand diapers in his or her life
• Disposaables are the 3rd most common consumer product in landfills today.
  That means that about 3.4 million diapers end up in landfills each year.
• A disposable diaper may take up to 500 years to try to decompose. 
• One baby in disposable diapers will contribute up to at least 1 ton of waste to your local landfill. 
• Many people are turning to cloth diapering in an effort to reduce waste.
• The environmental footprint of disposable diapers is staggering - See more at: http://www.mamanatural.com/why-cloth-diapers-are-better-than-disposables/#sthash.9vLt4mfy.dpuf
   The enviromental footprint being left by disposable diapers is sickening.

3.)  It is convenient for our family.

• Not only am I completely comfortable using, washing, and prepping our diapers, my husband Sean is also. For us, it is a no brainer.
• We are a 1 income family. Cloth diapering gives us as opportunity to plan for the unexpected. If for some reason Sean were to lose his job, we have everything that we need to properly diaper Jameson until he is ready to potty train. 
• Our house is set up with a good system for washing and drying the diapers (more detailed post about this to come.)
• Cloth diapers are more absorbent and contain baby "blowouts" better. Simple as that.

4.) They are safer for your little ones bottom.

• Most disposables are bleached with Dioxin, which, in animal studies, caused nerve damage, birth defects, increased rates of miscarriages and changes to the immune system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified dioxins as a probable human carcinogen.
  Next up is Sodium Polyacrylate, the super absorbent gelling material, or AGM, that allows your baby to go long periods in one diaper. Sodium Polyacrylate has been linked in the past to toxic shock syndrome, as well as allergic reactions, and it’s is potentially lethal to pets.
  AGMs are also linked to an increase in childhood asthma and a decrease in sperm count among boys.
  Now, big diaper manufacturers point out that these chemicals exist in very small doses in the diapers, and so don’t post a risk. And, sure, more studies need to be done. But Mama Natural says, why risk it?
  - See more at: http://www.mamanatural.com/why-cloth-diapers-are-better-than-disposables/#sthash.9vLt4mfy.dpuf
   Most disposables are bleached in Dioxin, which in animal studies caused nerve damage, birth defects, an increased number of miscarriages and even changes to the immune system. The US Environmental Protection Agency has classified dioxins as a probable human carcinogen.
• Sodium Polyacrylate  which is what is put into a diaper to allow your baby to go longer periods of time without a diaper change being needed. It is a gel like material also referred to as AGM and has been linked in to past to toxic shock syndrome, allergic reactions, not to mention that it is potentially lethal to pets. AGMs are also linked to an increase in asthma in boys and also a decreased sperm count.
• I understand that the manufacturers of these diapers assure consumers that these chemicals are only applied in small amount but seriously, why risk it? I think Jameson appreciates the soft, cozy material rather than scratchy material.

5.) They are so stinkin' cute.

• Colors, textures, patterns, once you get started, you will become addicted. "Fluff mail" is always an exciting part of the day once I get it. 
• Jameson spends lots of time in just his diaper. I can't get enough of him like this. Take a look for yourself and tell me he's not the cutest. ;-)

I will be posting in depth about cloth diaper lingo, brands of cloth diapers, washing and caring for them, the nitty gritty poop details, and all kinds of other topics relating to cloth diapering in the coming weeks. If you have a special question or request, please list it in the comments. I would love to help!