Top 10 Tips that will save you money, time and a lot of confusion!
This sounds funny, but it really is the best piece of advice I have. So many friends of mine went out and bought 24 diapers that they had heard worked for someone else's kid, then once their bundle arrived it didn't work for them. This is usually makes parents feel defeated, and run towards the disposable diaper aisle and never look back! A great alternative, is using trial programs. Many of them cost about $100 upfront and they send you all kinds of diapers, every style and size you can imagine. You get to keep them for 30 days and try them on your baby. At then end of the trial 30 days you can either send them all back with a refund, or keep them and they keep the money! Here are a few that are very reputable.
http://www.kellyscloset.com/30-day-money-back-guarantee.html
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/tryclothfor10/tryclothfor10
http://www.modernclothdiapers.com/customizableclothdiapertrial.html
2. Baby Steps
When Nate and I decided to cloth diaper, we had no idea that our baby was going to be a very tiny preemie. When we brought her home, gifted cloth diapers were too big and bulky for our little one. We decided to use disposables and try out a few cloth diapers here and there. Don't ever feel like you have to go all in or, all out. Many of my friends cloth diaper during the day, and at night they feel more comfortable using disposable diapers. The choice is really up to you-so relax and experiment with the different options.
3. Every baby is shaped differently
This goes along with #1 and #2 but just to reiterate it, your baby may have chunky legs and a small waist, meaning that a certain cloth diaper works best for your little one! Our bundle had petite everything, and so we loved the Grovia newborn and Grovia covers because we could adjust both the waist and the legs. There are even fitted diapers out there,so you buy diapers as baby grows- the choice is really up to you!
4. Cloth diapering is addicting... beware!!
Nate and I originally wanted to cloth diaper because it could save us a ton of money! The average family with one baby spends just over $1,000 a year on cloth diapers! This sounded great to me, but what I didn't expect was how fun it was going to be. I know I sound crazy, how could diapering be any fun, well.... just ask any mom that has done cloth with her baby-- its fun! I absolutely love getting cute prints and bold colored shells for her, and it is too much fun when outfits match cute diapers! However, if your goal is saving money, then, put a limit on yourself, otherwise, you may go a little crazy!
5. Your piggy bank doesn't have to break
This is going to be a separate blog, but I want to encourage you mamas out there if you are discouraged by how expensive one diaper is, don't despair! Nate and I worked our way up to our cloth diapering system, each month I had a budget of what I could spend on cloth diapers, and in a few months time--- voila! You will still save money, since you won't be using as many disposables! Below is a savings program from Kelly's Closet that is a great way to work up to cloth diapering your baby! Also there are tons of programs that you can buy used cloth diapers from (yes you have to get over it), those diapers have been used by someone else, but you can easily sterilize them and have a really affordable option for you and your family. Also a great way to test out a brand to see if you like their diapers!
Ebay: has tons of cloth diapers for sale--- even brand new with tags and all!
http://www.diaperjungle.com/used-cloth-diaper-resale.html
http://www.re-diaper.com/
6.Grandma's system just might work
I mention this because it is a really cheap way to cloth diaper! Nate and I did it, and occasionally still do. It is a really affordable way to make cloth diapering happen for your family. While it sounds complicated, it's really not that hard, and there are tons of you tube videos that show you different folds for your baby's pre-fold diaper. Here are some of my tips on using pre- folds, while they aren't my favorite style, they save money!
a. Be able to change your baby's diaper often, at least every 2 hrs-- these things leak and you want to be sure to change them before you have a problem!
b. You are going to get messier with this type of diaper than any other style, so be warned- it's not for the faint of heart
c. Be sure that your diaper cover, actually covers the pre-fold- if the pre-fold sticks out well... you can only imagine what happens next
d. You don't need pins! The modern world has created snappies! I personally just use a cover, but some moms like knowing that baby is really snug with a snappi before putting a cover on!
7. Wash your diapers regularly
This is a tough one for a lot of families. At first you love the whole process, and then one day, you'll let it go a day or two! Trust me on this one.... you do not want diapers sitting for longer than 3 days! If diapers aren't washed regularly then they will need to be stripped more often, which wears on your diapers, causing you to have to buy new ones! I know you can't imagine doing it now, but being a mom... you will. Have grace for yourself and just do the laundry :-)
8. Become best friends with the sun
Sun drying may sound like a pain, but I'm telling you it not only saves money but it's actually the best solution for stained diapers! I'm not kidding you... I have had diaper stains that I thought would never come out, and laid them out in the sun for a couple of hours they came out white as can be. For us it has cut our washing costs in half and left all of our diapers clean, white and fresh!
9. Dads and Day cares can do it too!
I have heard so many moms say that they just pull out disposables for their husbands, as well as, their day care. Lots of dads and Day cares cloth diaper- so don't be afraid, and give it a try! Here are some tips that just might help you with one or both situations!
a. Show hubby the system: How the diapers are put together, where they go if they're dirty, where can clean ones be found they if baby needs a change. Men are great at systems-let him be part of it! He may have some good ideas too, and bonus: change that baby more!!
b. Day cares want and need something easy: Have diapers already stuffed and ready to go. Be sure that you have enough diapers for the day, that may mean buying a few extras! This is not the time to explain your pre-fold, insert, or pocket system. Have complete diapers ready to go, so your daycare can easily put on a new diaper for your little one! Also, be sure that you have a wet bag in your diaper bag that the diapers can easily be folded up, and stuffed into for you to clean later. Day cares don't have time to do laundry.
10 Have fun!
Not only are you giving your baby a really healthy start, you are saving a ton of money! It's okay to feel good about cloth diapering. Enjoy your colored prints, and how cute your babe will look in just a cloth diaper!
Happy cloth diapering! Be sure to comment below with: cloth diapers that have worked for you, some of your best cloth diapering tips, and as always if you want more information about cloth diapering such as: laundering your diapers, stripping your cloth diaper, or the styles and types etc. and I'd love to do another blog, or send you the information.
3 comments:
Love this post! While we don't have a little one, I've always loved the idea of cloth diapers.
Oooo, this is really helpful. So you put on the cloth diaper and secure it in whatever way it calls for and then you put something else over it? And then... what is stripping?
Hey guys thanks for the comments!! Cloth diapering isn't only possible... it's fun! Tori, I love your questions, I am posting a blog about the different kinds of diaper types (the one mentioned is called the pre-fold). I will also do a step by step process of laundering your diapers and stripping them! Stripping is basically when you have too many chemicals on your diaper from laundry soap, and or they have been sitting too long and need to be deep cleaned!
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