Do I have two heads? I'm pretty sure I don't, yet people get looking at me like I am crazy when I mention we plan to cloth diaper. Why is it so outrageous to want to do something better for the environment, safer for my child, and much, much cheaper? Even forgetting about the environmental aspect, I just don't love the idea of our baby sitting in chemicals and plastic 24/7. Walking by the diaper aisle today at Target was disgusting. I hate that smell. I know plenty of people do it and plenty of babies are fine and that's fine...for them. I am choosing not to and would like to not hear "oh you'll change your mind, trust me" every single time it comes up. Especially from people who don't know a thing about cloth diapering so they don't know how easy and not gross it actually can be. So please, unless you're educated about the subject, don't degrade my choices.
Another aspect is the cost. Up front, if you buy a lot at once, it can be a few hundred dollars, but my best friend just told me she spent almost $200 on disposable diapers that will last her maybe 2 months. If that. I like to spend money as much as any girl, but if I'm going to be spending hundreds of dollars on diapers - I'd like to be able to keep and re-use them! Especially when we have another child down the road. It's very economical. And then there's the cute factor. Cloth diaper butts are so adorable!
So yeah, I realize I am new at this and you might not be. That's great. But I am doing my research and I am talking with mom's who aren't new at this who are making some of the same choices I am planning to make, so don't act like I am a complete moron and you 'know better'.
A String On Double Bass
5 years ago
I plan to cloth diaper and my family also thinks I am crazy. They too make comments like "you will find out when you have one..its not that easy"
ReplyDeleteI think that you should completly make your own choices about what is right for your child and your family.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there have actually been many studies which show there isn't a huge difference in the total cost to both the environment and or the cost of using a cloth.
Laundry of cloth diapers is expensive, it uses water and detergant and obviously the electricity consumption as well.
I'm just saying, yes everyone has an opinion but your a smart woman who knows how she wants to do things, but this post comes off very negative againts other peoples choicces.
cazybutterfly....whoever you are...
ReplyDeleteThe "studies" done on that are by diaper companies. Yeah, not going to believe those! Regardless, that is the biggest myth about cloth diapering. Do you even realize how much water, electricity, fossil fuel, etc it takes to produce disposible diapers??? WAY more than it does for someone like me to an extra few (tiny) loads of laundry a week. Most times the diapers (depending on what stage poop) can be put in with all the other baby clothes, etc. So you're not even doing extra loads.
I have yet to talk to someone (and I've done a lot of research and talked to many mom's actually doing this) who is spending more on laundry or detergant. And most mom's who CD use eco friendly soap anyways. Hmmm...I wonder if the disposible diaper companies use eco friendly chemicals at all their plants? Doubtful!
Lastly, this is a post about MY choices and why I feel cloth diapering is right for me and my views. That is all. If you take offense to that, maybe it's because you feel guilty about not doing it or something, I really don't know. But if you're so confident that disposible diapers are better, then you wouldn't be so bent out of shape about this.
Actually there was one UK study on the CD vs DD. The study said everything was the same.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there were many holes in the study. The machines used weren't as efficient as today. So, water, detergent, etc usage was unnecessarily higher. If you have HE washers, it is even better.
And the study only took into account making the actually DD. It didn't take into account the shipping, delivery, fossil fuels, diesel maintenance, road wear and tear, etc.
Also, the study didn't take into account the dangers of human waste in landfills for hundreds of years, the bleach used in the DD, etc.
The study has since been refuted and is no longer considered a reliable comparison.
Sorry, I am so late to this post. I just happened to be wondering around and ended up here. :)
Just found your blog and starting from the beginning!
ReplyDeleteI wince every time I tell someone I plan to use cloth diapers....so far so good, but hey, I'm only 7.5 weeks pregnant!
Will love to hear how it is going/what works for you, when you have your little one :)