Adventures in Attachment Parenting: Cloth diapers……Seriously? By Allison Silver

A good friend of mine called me this week and asked if I wanted to buy her entire supply of cloth diapers for a super cheap price.  Up until now we have been using environmentally sensitive disposables and they have been working for us.  But every week when we take the trash out I can’t help but look at the heap of diapers we are throwing away and I start to think about where all of these diapers are going.  And this is just for one baby in one home.
 
My husband and I have toyed around with the idea of using cloth diapers but have always talked ourselves out of it and stuck with the disposables. Our big beef with using cloth diapers has been the initial upfront cost of all of the materials. But here is an opportunity for us to try it for the cost of two months worth of disposables! Since Charley will most likely be wearing diapers for at least another year, using cloth could save us some money.  And with me staying home right now saving money is a good thing, says the woman who just dropped a generous sum of money at Ann Taylor Loft this weekend!
 
I wanted my hubby to be on board so I discussed it with him and his initial question was, “Is buying used cloth diapers gross?” Great question!  I know most of us wouldn’t buy used underwear. In fact, I am the woman who refuses to buy anything other than Victoria’s Secret underwear. But since I know that these diapers are coming from a good friend who takes great care of her things, I feel comfortable giving them a try. I also did my research and any cloth diapers that you buy new have to be washed several times to remove any chemicals from them before you can use them. So the way I see it these diapers have been washed multiple times and contain less chemicals, bonus! His second question was, “What about the poop?” My friend assured him that we can use flushable liners in the diaper until we feel comfortable rinsing out the diapers. I don’t think this will really be that big of an issue. As it is now, when our daughter poops I end up flushing whatever I can in the toilet so it doesn’t stink up her nursery.
 
She also reminded both of us that there is no hard and fast rule that once you use cloth you have to give up disposables. It’s funny but just hearing that made both of us relax a bit and feel better about the idea of trying the cloth diapers.  After discussing it and researching it, like only the two of us can, we have agreed that we will try the cloth at home and will primarily use disposables for going out or traveling.
 
You are probably reading this and thinking to yourself, “She has gone mad! Why would she do this?” A year ago I would have completely agreed with you. In fact, my friend who is selling me her diapers was the first one of a small group of us to have a baby.  I remember her telling me about how great cloth diapers were and how she loved using them and I thought she had completely lost it. I even teased her and told others how she had really embraced mommyhood!  But now that I am a mommy I suddenly get it!
 
It’s hard to explain and I am not exactly sure what intrigues me so much about using cloth diapers, but I do like the idea that we are creating less waste and spending less money.  However, my friend also told me that once I use cloth diapers I will be hooked and it can be addicting since there are so many cute patterns and designs. Uh oh! First baby-wearing devices and now this! My poor hubby. Maybe this won’t be cost effective! Whatever happens it will be a new adventure. Even if this whole thing is a total bust it will give me a ton of material for my blog.

Tags: Allison Silver, attachment parenting, Cloth diapers, Environmentally Conscious parenting, natural parenting