Part 3 of a 3 part series. Please read with an open mind - and feel free to comment!
Introduction:
I am one of the co-owners of Little Tree Hugger. Previous to owning this business I was an elementary school teacher. I have two boys (9 months old, and 3 years old). I am a self-professed cloth diaper addict (see my answer to #4 for proof) . I have used cloth diapers full time on both of my boys, they were even in cloth diapers at the Grey Nuns Hospital when they were born. The only exception is when we have been traveling and not had access to wash the diapers. In that case, we've used the compostable inserts from GroVia with our cloth shells.
1. Why are cloth diapers the right choice for your family?
My husband was the one who initially suggested that we look into cloth diapers during the pregnancy of our first son. His suggestion was strictly based on the environmental benefits of using cloth. Since then, cloth diapers have become the right choice for our family not only for the environmental benefits, but also the health benefits. Just like every other mom out there, I want to do what is best for my children. That includes giving them a healthy lifestyle, as well as doing my part to create a clean environment for them.
I guess the major "con" to cloth for most people is likely washing the diapers. I usually wash the diapers at night, when I am up working on the computer (and writing blog posts like this...), so they are done in the morning. And for me, the benefits so quickly outweigh the cons, that it's not an issue for us. However, for those that don't have easy access to laundry facilities, it would be a more difficult situation
3. What is your favourite cloth diaper and why?
FuzziBunz Perfect Fit - it is great quality, fits nice and trim, and also has a very absorbent insert with room to double stuff for overnight.
If I was allowed to categorize, it would look like this:
Favourite pocket diaper: FuzziBunz Perfect Fit
Favourite one-size diaper: bumGenius 4.0
Favourite fitted: Blueberry Bamboo
Favourite all-in-one: bumGenius Elemental
Favourite hybrid: GroVia
4. How much do you estimate that you have spent on cloth diapers? Could you have done a similar style of diapers for less?
To be honest, I have NO idea! Cloth diaper addict? YES! Whenever a new print comes along that I love, I add it to the stash. New diaper on the market - I order one for a trial to see if we should add it to the shop. And sometimes, I just like to switch things up, and use different diapers. Could I have cloth diapered for less - YOU BET! I could have gone with a very economical system, not added new prints, etc. But, really, my son needed the Wee Trunks diaper ;)
We also cloth diapered from the beginning, but we opted to use a diaper service to start out with. The Grey Nuns provided cloth diapers while we were there, and we took our son home in our diaper service diaper and cover. After around 6 months I started looking into cloth diapering on my own and I slowly started to buy new and pre-loved diapers to build my own stash. At the 9-month mark I discontinued our diaper service and went full-time on my own and haven't looked back!
ReplyDeleteYes, there are times when we have used disposables such as on vacation, or during that time when our son began to pee so much overnight that my regular double-stuffed pocket diapers wouldn't cut it anymore, until I found the best cloth solution (fitted & wool cover), or when my washing machine crapped out and I couldn't do laundry for a week. :)
All in all I'm very happy that we use cloth diapers.