Baby bummed- April 7, 2011
Before I had a baby I really hadn’t even considered that diapers came in different sizes. A few years ago I went to Target to buy diapers to make a diaper cake for a friend’s baby shower. Not only did I not even know where the diaper aisle was, I just grabbed the least expensive pack. (Yeah, I’m a great friend, I know.) They were like, size 3’s or something, and they just took up closet space for months.
These days I’m extremely familiar with the diaper aisle at Target. But, our diaper situation has stunk lately. I like Pampers better than other brands. Charlotte is 13 lbs. Size 1’s are 8-14 lbs. Size 2’s are 12-18 lbs. As I’ve said before. She’s slender and has a tiny hiney for sure. Size 1’s still fit, but are a little snug. We have to stretch the tabs all the way on the Size 2’s. Some leaks with both.
Like a beacon of hope, a light from above shown down on this box at Target to solve my diaper dilemma.
Size 1-2’s! For “up to 15 lbs.” They fit perfect! For the next week anyway.
I know what many of you super-cool, earth-loving mamas out there are thinking. “Amy, if you cloth-diapered you wouldn’t have this problem.” I know. Cloth diapers are different now and it’s a very trendy thing to do. I’ve read all about it. My friend Melissa gave a fantastic cloth-diaper tutorial on her blog. She sort-of swayed me from my disposable laziness. I understand the great benefits, less diaper rash, fewer leaks, possible faster potty training etc. But I just can’t seem to suck it up and try it.
Four reasons why I don’t do it…
- I don’t want to add that attachment to the toilet and rinse them off.
- I don’t want to do more laundry.
- I don’t want to make her teachers at school have to deal with that.
- I spent money on two Diaper Genies. (One for upstairs, one for downstairs.)
One reason I would do it…
- They’re so stinking cute, I can’t even stand it.
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So, moms, convince me. Why do you cloth diaper? Should I just get a trial pack to try it out?
If you stuck with disposables, why? How did your baby fit in certain sizes/brands and for how long?
Spread it around:
We have always used disposables. Pampers, to be exact. We tried Target brand and they leaked. A lot. Especially up the back. The back is cut lower than Pampers and the 'stuff' would take the path of least resistance and shoot right out the top.
I never entertained the idea of cloth. For many of your same reasons. I don't even know if my kids' teachers will 'do' cloth diapers. But even if they did, I don't want to bring home a bag of poopy pea-soaked diapers every day. We have enough laundry without adding diapers to it.
Travis took the pretty traditional route through the diaper sizes. He was able to wear Swaddlers 2/3s until he was almost 8 months old. Then we switched to Cruisers. He maxed out at Size 4 and wore those until he was potty trained at 2.5. Justin, my chunky monkey. He was wearing Travis' size 4 diapers at 6 months old. We use the DryMax now. Only problem we have is the he pees through them overnight. May start putting him in 5s at night. He's only 9 months old! They make 'overnight' diapers but they cost more. Works just as well to use a size up.
I was just coming to sing the praises of Target diapers. We've only had one leak and that was due to antibiotics (I shudder to remember that incident!).
I wanted to do cloth, but with twins I just couldn't add another thing to my to do list. I am however contemplating doing the 3 cloth diaper thing. Several people recommend just buying three cloth diapers and using them when it is convenient for your family. No overwhelming laundry, you can buy the cute ones, no daycare issues, and you are making a positive, though small impact on the environment.
FWIW, most people I know love Target diapers. That's why we tried them. But they just didn't work for us. My youngest son is big and has some junk in the trunk – unlike most babies who have no hiney for a while. Maybe that's why they didn't work for him. (We have not tried them since he was wearing size 1. And he outgrew those at about 6-7 weeks)
You could always try a service… http://www.trianglediapercompany.com/
I have considered it – just because I could knit up some super cute soakers to go over them, but I'm being met with some (read – A LOT) resistance on the home-front and the potential child care provider looked at me if I had three heads when I asked if she deals with cloth diapers! lol.
So those diaper genies… worth it?
You know I LOVE our cloth diapers!! (http://www.ingenuemom.com/search/label/Cloth%20Diapers) I really like the post Lewis wrote & I shared how we "easily" do it.
But I definitely understand the reservations about cleaning & laundry & stuff like that, but if you were to switch, I think you'd find it easily becomes second nature. It's just not a big deal anymore.
I will say with you, my biggest reservation would be your childcare. Some won't even allow cloth diapers, so it may even just be a moot point.
Also – biggest benefit for us beyond everything else – HUGE savings. OMG. We spent $40 in diapers in the first 2 weeks of Isis' life when we were using disposables. To continue like that all year would've been like $1,000 or so per year. But we spent $700 on diapers & accessories & they're still going strong 15 months later! So I'm all about it!!
But I understand that it's not for everybody, so I'm not really going to try to convince you. I can just say that we love them!
My son was born the exact day as Charlotte making them the exact same age. He is in pampers size 2s weighing 16.6 pounds. Are a member of Amazon Mom? They have free two day shipping and the diapers are cheaper than anywhere else i have looked. i also buy wipes this way. i too conteplated using the cloth diapers. but, i knew my husband would not be on board and it would be a lot for me alone to do. our day care lets you continue using the cloth diapers. but, as many diapers as he goes through in one day that would be a lot of extra work for his teachers.
We are using disposables.. however I just ordered some cloth.
Here are the reasons I used disposables:
-We lived in an apartment with shared, coin operated laundry until Eva was 6 months old.
-Our Daycare center wouldn't use them when I went back to work.
Now why I am switching…
-I am home now.
-I have my own house with a washer/dryer at the bottom of the stairs.
-I think it will help with potty training. Our disposables are super great at keeping her dry – maybe too great.
-The investment will be good for future baby, and I will save money there.
That said. I received 2 free cases of Target diapers because they messed up our registry. I loved them. I have used them since she was little and we ran out of all that others had bought us. They are worth a try for you.
Amy, CD's create some mental effort too! You have to research different types to fit your babies body and figure out a washing routine. I just updated my CD review page so check it out to see what has been working for us. You are so sweet to keep up with my blog and I love all your comments.
http://jeannasmotherhoodjourney.blogspot.com/p/cloth-diaper-reviews.html