Have you ever had that reaction to using cloth diapers?
I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping in the city today. I had my kids with me and my little guy needed a bum change. We were in a public washroom at the mall where the change table is not in a stall, but rather out by the sinks. Another Mom with baby in stroller came over to the sink near me and then started commenting and asking questions. But it wasn't the "usual" comments/questions that I have heard for the past 3.5 years.
The "usual" goes something like this from a Mom that does not use cloth diapers:
"Oh, you use cloth diapers. Is it hard?" I usually then show them a diaper that they oooh and ahhh over. Often comments will be made about how 'modern' they are, no pins, etc. Then come the other usual questions "So, how do you clean them?", or "How did you find out about them?", and "How much do they cost?"
The other "usual" comes from Mom's that use cloth diapers and goes something like this:
"Oh, I just love that print, it's so cute!", or "Ah, bumGenius, that's my favourite for my daughter", or "Nice wetbag, where did you get it?", etc.
Today, however, was much different. As soon as the Mom saw a cloth diaper in my hand, her eyes went wide and it was almost a look that was a combination of disgust/shock. Then she actually said it: "Ewww! You use cloth diapers?".
I was slightly taken aback for 2 reasons:
1. I have never had a reaction like this before.
2. I thought it was rude.
I was a bit stunned, and then asked her why she was so surprised. First she gave a little laugh/snort and said "Well, you don't look like a hippy". Then, she went on for awhile, but the main points were "unsanitary" and "just so yucky". I showed her the diaper and quickly explained the poop clean-up/bio-degradable liners spiel. She then commented that the reason it was unsanitary was not because of the poop clean-up, but because it was being reused. I then explained how easy it was to clean the diapers, and thinking it was humourous mentioned that I don't use "disposable underwear" for myself, so why would I do it for my baby? Apparently she didn't see the humour in this.
I love that...I don't wear disposable under ware. When I had my son at the Royal Alex in Edmonton and although they use disposable diapers they used cloths with water instead of baby wipes....which might I add went into the regular laundry for the hospital. I honestly think that we'll never be a 100% cloth diapering country but a massive change could occur if hospitals used cloth diapers instead of disposables; of course diaper companies line the pockets of these hospitals too heavily for that to ever occur. I'm really shocked at how few people cloth diaper in Canada, now that I do it I would never go back to disposables. I was in the store the other day and saw a box of diapers on sale for almost $50! You can buy almost 3 cloth diapers for that much which can be reused and sold when you are finished with them. I guess if you want to be foolish with your money so be it.
ReplyDeleteI have never had a similar experience and I can see how you would have been taken aback. I wonder just how sanitary she thinks it is to throw poop in the garbage can. I am 98% certain that that is what she would be doing with her disposable diaper. I'm guessing that out of sight out of mind is something that goes a long way with that lady... I lived near a landfill growing up. To think that all that infectious material (yes, all poop is considered a bodily fluid and therefore infectious material) is getting placed in a landfill where it can leach into the ground water is just gross to me. At least my cloth diapers washing water goes to the water treatment facility that has standards that have to be met before the water is released into circulation.
ReplyDeleteI think you handeled it very well, I think I would have just been rude back. That is pretty shocking to hear someone be so rude and ignorant really. When I told a co-worker that we use CD, he said he's been in in homes that use cloth diapers and it wreaks. I just said, well mine doesn't, as long as you keep up witht he laundry and stuff, you shouldnt have a smelly home. I think why some people are so against cloth diapers is because they either dont know much about it, and then there is the convenience factor, and some I think honestly are just jealous that they dont do it. My sister said she never thought I'd keep up with it at all, but really, it is not hard to do.
ReplyDeleteI've never received a comment like that from a total strange, rather one of my friend's husbands said it. But I don't care what he thinks. And I know for a fact they dispose of poop and all in their diaper genie. :(
ReplyDeleteI once had a little girl ask her mom what kind of diaper I was using (Charlie Banana) and the mom responded with "its an expensive, fancy one". They were on their way out so I didn't get to reply but I wish I had.
ReplyDeleteI had that comment before too in a mall bathroom. It wasnt too me but said from one women to a friend so I could hear. I just looked right at them and smiled and said " if you have any quesstions from someone who USES this methiod then please ask away" they said nothing and left the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI will be using that retort about using disposable underwear...I have some family who are totalky against CDing and I don't understand why...they try to justify their dislike of it on the extra cost..water for the washing, special soap, the diapers in the beginning...and this retort will be being used next time a snide remark is made...
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