really, it isn’t as crazy as it sounds!

what?  You ask?  Dare I say it?  shhhhh….

…

…cloth diapering….

I finally took The Plunge and it ended up being more like a small hop, not so bad.

Honest!

I really REALLY wanted to do this when Ms. E was born, two years ago, but I chickened out.  I felt like I couldn’t handle one more thing on top of all the other changes, so I adjusted my goals, accepted defeat, and for some reason I didn’t address it again until Mr. A came to stay.  I blew through all the disposables that seemed to make their way into the house for free and finally took my first trip to Target to actually BUY diapers when the reality set in.  While standing in the diaper isle, the epiphany that I was going to have to buy TWO SIZES hit me!  I know! Crazy, how that works!  As with most things in my life… I. had. a. PLAN!  I marched right on out of there with just a package of pull-ups, a determination to potty train Ms. E the next day (I had been putting it off for a couple months), and a scheme to get some magically-smart diapers asap!

I called up a couple of late (but very considerate… they wanted to make sure to get me something that I wanted) gift givers, g-ma Clare & Aunt Brandy, and pitched them my plan.  By the end of the week six of these beauties were on my doorstep, and I have since added six more.  So now we are a BumGenius operating household of 12, and doing wonderfully!

see… (this was after Mr. A braved his fourth month shots)

Here is where the non-crazy part comes in.  They are the most simple darn things EVER.   They go on just like a diaper, no folding, no plastic leaky covers, no pins or fasteners, and virtually no staining… at least none yet that the sun hasn’t been able to take care of in a couple hours.  There is no rinsing for now, since he is still an infant, if you get my drift.  I just separate the inserts from the diaper, throw it all into a cold wash, then a hot one, and an additional rinse. Presto.  Line dry the fancy parts, throw the rest in the dryer.  Detailed washing instructions and troubleshooting, here.

One size will fit Mr. A his entire diaper career, thereby saving ME tons of money and guilt every time I throw the other kind away.  Did you know 1/3 of our landfills are diapers!  We do our part around here to conserve and purchases environmentally friendly when possible, and every time I took out that big ol’ diaper genie of diapers I felt like I was voiding our efforts.  There are so many alternatives to strictly disposable diapers now too, even hybrid options.  I guess it is no surprise that I choose the most high tech option I could find, (no comments from you, Mr. K, you hear me?!) but this time I’ve got economics on my side.  Even at 18 bucks a pop, they pay for themselves quiet quickly– especially since my first six were gifted, woohoo!

Now, what about the wipes you ask?  That is what I have received the most questions about when you guys have seen me changing his fancy new pants.  Oh you just wait!  I’ve got a whole blog about that too!  Riveting. I know.  Tomorrow, promise.

In the mean time, do any of you cloth diaper?  Or did you?  Do you want to?  Or am I more off my rocker than I am willing to admit?

categories i heart, parenting & child's play | 3 comments so far!