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I just used the random number generator and Carrie is our winner of the diaper and wet bag! Yay! Thank you to all who commented and entered! I am so excited that you are all so eager to learn more about or use cloth.

Soon I will be doing another post about how much I am loving my new sunbaby diapers now that I have had more time to use them, so be sure to watch for it!

I have a new love in this world of baby things- Cloth Diapers! Before you all say, “yuck!” bare with me as I used to be right there with you and now multiple times a week I tell Jon just how happy I am to be using cloth diapers. I must begin this post by explaining that a friend recently referred to me as “crunchy, granola, hippish” mom and if you have never met me before maybe you would think that- after all I did have a planned natural birth/pregnancy, I have spread out and delayed vaccines, I make Ezra’s baby food (although he prefers the Earths Best Organic to what I make- texture issues!), I cloth diaper… the list may go on… but I have never seen myself this way. I am not the most earth minded person- I should probably much more concerned about it, but I am very Ezra-minded, family minded, health minded, etc. So all of these decisions that have been made are very research based rather than hippi

When I was pregnant I possibly thought for a fleeting moment about cloth diapers, but no longer than just a moment and then I was back to registering for those teeny tiny newborn pampers. I really hadn’t “planned” on using disposables I  just didn’t even think of any other options. After I had Ezra I became friends with a cloth diapering momma, found more info about cloth on the web, and talked to another friend about using cloth. I was turned off at first because well… who wants to deal with poop? who wants additional laundry? isn’t it a hassle? Am I going to be seen as “one of those people?” But as I watched my friend cloth diaper her son, I saw that she was very normal , and who could forget how cute those diapers are?! I decided maybe I should do a bit more research. I am a research junky! Like cannot go to sleep because I am youtubing, reading, searching for info on anything I am interested in. I spent hours and lots of time I should have been sleeping researching cloth and decided I would give it a “try,” but if I didn’t like it we would chalk it up to something I tried and resell the diapers (who knew these used diapers would have such a big resale value?!) I lucked out because in January when I ran out of the diapers I was given before Ezra was born (yes, 5 months of diapers we received as gifts- thank you everyone!!) I decided to give cloth a try, I logged onto Cottonbabies and decided to check out bumGenius diapers because everything I read and heard said they were the best, the gold standard in the cloth diapering world. Who knew that a diaper could be about $20 a piece though?! (even at this price it’s still a great deal in the long run!), but they were running a Clearance sale on some of their pocket diapers (I will explain later about pockets) and they were buy 2 get 1 free making them about $12 a piece which is an amazing deal! I bought three and decided to try them- I ended up loving them! They were easy peasy considering Ezra was exclusively breastfed and I didn’t even have to clean them because breastfed poo is water soluble so I could throw it in the wash and they would come out clean and white. I bought 6 more, then 3 more for good measure. Everyone said having about 20-25 was a good number so you could rotate them, wait 2-3 days between washing, and still have some on hand. I thought 12 would be more than enough (I now have about 26 .) So that’s how it all began! I asked on facebook if anyone had questions concerning cloth diapering because I would be happy to share and you had so many good ones! The rest of this post will be about those! I am going to provide as many links as possible to help out as well.

Why cloth?

There are a few reasons I switched- The cost savings is huge! I thought about after I had Ezra and had to wear a liner around for weeks and remember how uncomfortable that was, I just imagined it would feel the same or worse for Ezra for up to 2 years. Ezra’s comfort was another big reason. The fact that they are very cute just adds icing on the cake. The fact that the chances of him having diaper rash are much less was another selling point. (He has still never had a rash, although his bottom has been slightly red 1 or 2 times.) I loved the fact that chemicals wouldn’t have to be against his skin. Lastly, I always love to do something great for the environment.

What kind should I get?

First I should share that I have only used “pocket diapers” and “all in ones” so I can only speak from experience about those. I have posted photos so you can get a better idea but pocket diapers have a pocket that you stuff with an insert that holds the urine. All in one diapers also have an insert but it is sewn into the diaper making it part of the diaper. With a pocket diaper you have to stuff the insert in before putting it on the baby and unstuff it when you change the baby. With an all in one you just put it on and take it off, there is nothing additional needed (this is why the all in one diapers are usually more expensive). I should add that with the pocket diapers and many all in ones you can add more inserts for greater absorbency for nighttime diapering if you wish.

I have a variety in my stash. Some people prefer to have only one kind which is totally fine, but I love a good deal and if I see a good diaper (remember I am a busy researcher!) on sale for a great price I would snatch it up if I was still needing a few more in my stash. I have plenty of diapers now so I do not need anymore, but cute prints are hard to pass up Anyone who uses cloth knows it can become a fun little addiction.

As I shared before I have quite a few Bum Genius 4.0 pockets and they are my favorite. Ezra can wear them for 2-3 hours without any leaks. He always naps in these diapers. I also  love how they fit him. These diapers are one size, meaning they grow with him. They are created to fit from 8-35 pounds because of snaps on the hips and rise. I have both snaps and velcro in these diapers. I prefer the snaps, but I have a few velcro so that if my mom or someone else is changing him it is almost the same as changing a disposable. Jon prefers the velcro as well.

Zulily had a sale on Charlie Banana sized pocket diapers so I snatched up a couple of those as well. They have very cute colors and seem to fit Ezra very well. They seem a bit more bulky because the insert is thicker, but I do love them. I have 2 smalls and 5 mediums. Ezra fits in both with the small open on the widest snap and the medium on the smallest snap. I really like that these stuff in the front so when I take out the insert I don’t touch anything gross Ezra can wear these for 2-2 1/2 hours without leaks

My friend used Drybees all in one diapers and recommended them to me so I purchased a few of them. I really like them as well because they are practically a disposable diaper that you wash. They do not need to be stuffed (since they are all in one), they are velcro so you put them on just as you would any other diaper. The part about them that I do not like is that Ezra can only be in them from 1-1 1/2 hours and often the velcro doesn’t stay closed in the wash so I end up with a few diapers stuck together.

I also have a  few Sunbaby one size pocket diapers. The best thing about these diapers is that they are inexpensive (around $5 a diaper tax and shipping included), but do not seem to be made cheap. Even if these diapers only last through Ezra rather than through a few children you cannot beat the price per diaper (but you must order a minimum of 6 if ordering directly from sunbaby). I do love these diapers, they are so soft inside and have a trim fit!

I have a couple Fuzzi Bunz sized diapers. I bought these on their “seconds site” right after I had purchased the bum genius because these are also dearly loved diapers, but they just do not fit my skinny baby very well. I love how soft they are, but we don’t use them right now because they just don’t fit him the best, but as he continues to grow they may fit better.

Lastly, I have a couple Grovia all in one diapers. I also got these on sale from baby steals and really love how trim they are and the cute prints. I am just beginning to use them, but I have loved them so far.

What is the cost involved?

It truly depends on the person as far as what the investment into cloth will be. I will share mine and if you happen to cloth diaper please share your experience in the comments section for others to learn from if you don’t mind.

I have 2 pale liners (I always have one clean and one holding the dirty diapers). I have a tall trash can in my laundry room (2 doors from Ezra’s room) with the pail liner in it, all used diapers go into the pail until wash day. I was every 3 days. I washed every two days when I had fewer diapers and Ezra was exclusively breastfed because I wouldn’t clean/rinse the diapers before going in the pail.

I have 3 wet bags- I bought one and made two. They are so easy to make that I will make them from here on out. I use wet bags when I go out and about to hold the diapers in. Super easy

I have the diapers and the inserts- all diapers (except sunbaby- you have options) come with at least one insert, more can be purchased for extra absorbency (double stuffing) and night time diapering.

I use flushable liners a.k.a- lifesavers! (more on these later!)

Total I have spent around 300-400ish dollars on everything I have which can absolutely sound like a lot and sound scary, but if you think about how much money you will spend on diapering a baby from birth-2 (which is average) they say you will spend about $2,000 which seems a bit high to me, so even if you cut that number in half to $1,000 on diapers which seems low you still come out on top, plus these diapers can be used on future children or resold, plus you are helping the environment, plus your babies bottom is happy, plus you have a VERY LOW risk of diaper rash, and did I mention how cute these things are?!?!

So if you are just starting out what do you need? diapers and inserts, a pail liner is great, wetbags aren’t necessary  but incredibly helpful(you could use a ziplock or only diaper at home at the beginning), flushable liners (not necessary, but I LOVE them!), and special diaper cleaning detergent (more on this later).

What do I do with the poo?

Isn’t this what everyone wants to know but no one asks? In the beginning Ezra was exclusively breastfed (until 6 months) so everything could go in the washer. Nothing had to be cleaned or rinsed because it is all water soluble. Once we added some solids to Ezra’s diet the stools changed and I began using flushable liners and I haven’t turned back. I love these! They are plenty large enough that I tear them in half and get more for my money. I put the liner in and if he has a bowel movement all I have to do is flush the liner with the stool down the toilet (which is where I think it should go anyway, rather than the trashcan .) The liner resembles a dryer sheet that you lay into the diaper, it just catches what needs to be caught. I’ve posted a photo for a visual. Many people also use diaper sprayers that connect to the toilet to spray any solids into the toilet, but the less time I have to spend with the solids the better.

What’s the laundering process?

I was thankful to be given some advice from friends and have been amazed that the laundering process has yet to be tweaked, it is working like a charm, and my diapers come out fresh, clean, and white every time. It was asked whether I thought Ezra smelled due to the cloth diaper and I would say not at all! I can smell urine in the disposable before I can smell him in the cloth. If you smell the dreaded ammonia smell it is because the diapers are not coming all the way clean and must be washed again. You cannot use detergents with whiteners, brighteners, or softeners on your diapers because they will create a build up and the ammonia smell will start. This is why I use the bumGenius detergent specifically made for cloth diapers and I have never had an issue. I am still on my first box and I have been cloth diapering for 5 months now, so these boxes last a long time because only a little detergent is necessary. I should add that you only have to use half the amount of regular detergent on diapers and many people have a bit of a difficulty finding the correct balance, but because the bumGenius detergent is specifically made for diapers it comes with a scoop that tells you exactly how much to use.

My routine goes like this– start a large cold prewash cycle on my washing machine, add just half the normal amount of detergent and then add the diapers. Make sure there is plenty of water in the prewash so that the water rinses all the urine from the inserts. Then run a hot wash with the full amount of detergent (the scoop in the bumgenius detergent is the exact amount you need), follow with a cold rinse, followed by an additional cold rinse and you’re done. It’s as easy as that. I do not dry my diapers  in the dryer because I always wash them after Ezra has gone to bed and there is plenty of time for them to hang and dry on our wooden drying rack. Air drying allows the diapers a longer life and saves energy by not using the dryer. The next day I will sit on Ezra’s floor while he plays and stuff all the diapers and put them into a basket under his bed so they are ready to go. I stuff the diapers as well as put the liner in all at once so all the diapers are ready and all I have to do is put them on his bottom.

If you find that you have stains on your diapers all you need to do it sun them. Hang them on a drying rack of clothes line in the sun and you will be amazed that the sun will bleach them out leaving them perfectly white. The sun is a much better stain remover than any chemical.

Cloth diapering on the go…

Ezra and I love to go, go, go- to the library, the zoo, friends homes, the grocery… we are always on the move. Diapering on the go is easy! I was afraid it would be hard so I waited a few weeks. The biggest thing is to remember to change them often. With disposables you can get away with hours in one diaper and although it may not be comfortable for the baby there isn’t a sign saying you must change them. Cloth diapers will leak so be sure to change often (your baby will thank you anyway). I always have a wetbag with me. When I change Ezra is public it resembles this-  I change him and lay the used diaper to the side, I get Ezra all clean and fresh in a new diaper. He is now good to go. I pull the insert out of the used diaper, fold it up together and stuff it in the wetbag. Lastly, I throw the wipes and liner away and squirt hand santitizer on as I walk out the door with a baby on my hip  **If the diaper is dirty I still lay it aside, folded over, finish changing Ezra and then carry Ezra and the diaper into a stall with me and flush the liner down the toilet, then pull out the insert and stuff it in the wetbag. It may sound like a lot of work but I guarantee you it is not.

If I put Ezra in the church nursery I will change him as soon as we get there and let the workers know he is in a cloth diaper, I just changed him, and he won’t need changed again until I come back. If he happens to need changed they are more than welcome to page me or change him if they feel comfortable. If the babysitter comes over and I leave for any amount of time I put him in a disposable, I just don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

Was the hubby on board?

He really didn’t mind either way. When I told him about the cost savings and comfort for Ezra he was all in. He didn’t seem to care about how cute they were like I do . He does prefer to use diapers with velcro because they are more daddy friendly, but either way he will happily change Ezra’s diaper and that makes for one happy momma!

A couple more things…

There are rental programs if you are thinking of starting, but don’t want the upfront investment if you aren’t sold yet you can rent a variety of kinds to try.

Cloth diapers without the insert make a great swim diaper

If you live close to me and want to see the diapers in action or even try them on your baby- just get in touch

Sometimes I will put a disposable on Ezra because his pants are too tight with the cloth (it does make for a fluffy bottom!) and I don’t feel bad about this. I may use 5 extra disposables per week at the most if its an outfit issue.

I currently do still use disposables at night because Ezra is a very heavy wetter during the nighttime hours and he sleeps 12 hours, so I prefer not to wake him if it isn’t bothering him. I would like to switch to cloth at night once he stops nursing through the night and he isn’t wetting as heavy.

I had a difficult time getting used to the extra bulk in the beginning. Ezra has been long and lean since he was a few months old so the bulk in the back seemed weird at first, but I quickly got used to it and think it is cute now.

Ezra has never had formula, so I am not sure how that would change things in the first 6 months, but I bet the flushable liners would work perfect even then!

**If you made it to the end thanks for staying with me! I hope that helps answer your questions. If you have more leave them in the comments and we can have an open discussion in there.

But there is an exciting part still to come! Who wants to win a diaper and wetbag? (The Giveaway is closed!)

I have a cute Sunbaby diaper with insert and wetbag made by me up for grabs.

In order to enter the drawing all you have to do is comment about why you love cloth or would like to try it (only one of these comments per person). In order to get an additional chance feel free to share about this post to your friends via facebook, pin to pintrest, or twitter and add a comment telling me how you shared.

I will choose a random commenter next Friday (5/18). Yay!

I just wanted to throw this blog post up because this video has been on my heart and mind non stop since first seeing it. It was just the other day when I was getting ready and found myself having a pity party for myself in my head… “I have nothing to wear! Nothing fits right, things are too loose or too tight in the wrong places… boo-hoo!” Then I stopped and got all teary eyed and I quickly remembered that many, many people actually have NOTHING to wear, they have no clothes, food, or shelter. I stopped and prayed. I prayed for those people and for perspective. I know I need it. I immediately went and talked to Jon about it, asking him to pray for perspective for me as well. I just don’t want to forget. I easily get distracted with all the “things” in this world. I told Jon I want to plaster a reminder of the truth about my needs and others needs in my wallet, my desk, my mirror, etc; anywhere I look often I want to remember it’s not about me and I can make a difference. Isn’t it hard though? So hard to stay focused. If I tell the truth my heart always, always wants to give, but at the same time I want to give while living the same lifestyle I am comfortable in… I need to give and give up my wants for others needs.

This video (It’s a must see!) has changed my perspective. This was the answer to prayer as I prayed for perspective. I am reminded that I am my Savior’s hands and feet. I must not forget.

I just wanted to share this as it has been on my heart for days now (actually months) because I thought possibly someone else was struggling with this and we could be in it together.

On this day 5 years ago I said I forever do to the man I love. I cannot believe it has been 5 years! These past years have been filled with so much love, joy, pain, blessings, learning, fun, and devotion that words can not even describe the way my heart feels. I am crazy in love with Jon; I have been from the start. He is so good at loving me so well and I hope I love him back with the same love he has for me. He has stolen my heart and I am so thankful he is mine. I am thankful to be one with this man forever. Watching him become a dad has made my heart quadruple in size. It does just keep getting better! Although not every day has been a dream and we have had heartbreak we have always decided to choose love and joy together as a team. Oh Jonny, how thankful I am for you! I love you so!