Why I want to try cloth diapering

For anyone curious why I am interested in using cloth diapers with the little one on his way, let me expound. The only experience I have personally had so far with cloth diapers is with the rectangular prefolds,  rubber pants, diaper pins, and swishing dirty diapers in the toilet 20+ years ago. That didn't make cloth diapering seem very appealing, so when several of my friends said that they were using cloth diapers, I wondered why anyone would want to put themselves through that torture.

Cloth diapers as I remember them- Not as easy as disposables. 

Fortunately, my cloth-diapering friends appreciate cloth diapers enough to explain the advances that have been made in the last 20 years in cloth diapering, and there is plenty of information about cloth diapers in the blogosphere. After reading up entirely too much on the subject, I've decided to write up a list on why I want to give the new-style ones a try.

The cloth diapers that have been developed lately can be almost as easy as disposables. 

1. Economy: They're cheaper than disposables, even when accounting for the cost of laundering-- especially considering that you can either use them with a second child, or pass them on to another new mom.


2. They're cute! I know that some disposable diapers have designs on the front, but none can compare with the cute colors and patterns of cloth.
   

   

   Some of my favorite cloth diaper colors- even cuter than disposables, too! (click the image to see a closeup of my favorite pattern)



3. Fewer blowouts: Face it... if you would have to wash an adorable outfit from a disposable-diaper blowout, why not just wash a cloth diaper, and be done with it. When I first read about cloth diapers having fewer blowouts (0-1/month instead of 4/week), I thought that it was because these cloth diapering moms were biased, so I mentioned it to my mom, who dealt with plenty of both cloth and disposable diapers. She emphatically agreed that cloth diapers contain blowouts much better than disposables.


4. We don't have to upgrade our trash pickup. Right now, we hardly generate any garbage (we've been averaging ~32 gal/mo), so the monthly bill is almost nothing. Many people also cite the many environmental benefits of cloth diapering. That should probably be one of my reasons, too-- but sometimes, even more than saving the planet, I like saving the wallet.


5. Quicker potty training: Since baby feels the natural consequences of wetting himself, he can't go all day without a change and still be comfortable in a cloth diaper (although some may consider this a negative aspect of cloth diapering).


6. Fewer emergency runs to the grocery store. I might have to run the wash at an inconvenient time, but at least I won't have to make an emergency grocery store run just for diapers.

That about covers the reasons for now. More updates will come as we have real experiences with cloth diapers.