Cloth diaper Q&A

Can I just tell you how much I love helping people, whether that's as simple as praying for them, helping them by watching their kids, encouraging someone on a bad day, or answering questions about a subject that I'm passionate about?

I love it when people think of me to ask me questions, so imagine my excitement when I get a facebook message or email from multiple people asking me for more information on cloth diapers, or help with breastfeeding. I.love.it.

This post is geared towards those ladies, so if you have no interest in it, feel free to mentally 'check out'. I thought I would post the questions I've received and the answers I've given, so that I can direct people here instead of replying to multiple messages. :)

1. What brand of diapers do you use, and how did you decide on them when there's so many choices out there?

We chose the bumGenius 4.0 one size diapers (in snaps, not hook/loop)... solely for the reason that I didn't feel like checking out multiple brands and trying out different types and these had been recommended to me by a lot of people that I trust! I know there's lots and lots of kinds, and I'm sure they're all great in their own way... but we LOVE ours. Also love that they are one size, so we'll never have to buy diapers again. No regrets!

2. How many do you need in order to CD (cloth diaper) exclusively?

The "experts" say you need 24 in order to only have to do laundry every 2-3 days. I have 22 diapers, and I think it's more than enough. I wash every 2nd day, it just works best with my schedule.

3. Is there any special detergents you're supposed to use, or can you just use a regular kind?

Here's a list of detergents that are CD safe: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

We use Rock Green detergent because that's what our local store sells, but I love it and will never switch.

4. But really, what do you do with the poopy diapers?

This question makes me laugh because I used to literally think the same exact thing. If you're a breastfeeding mama, all you do is throw the diaper in the wash... poop and all. Once the baby starts eating solids, or if you formula feed, you have to spray the diaper prior to washing it. You can do this by buying a diaper sprayer. We have one, but haven't used it yet, because I breastfeed and Cohen does not eat solids yet. As gross as it may sound to you if you don't have a child yet, you will soon realize that the things that come out of your child will not gross you out as bad as you think they will. Seriously, poop is no big deal around here.

5. What do you do with the dirty diapers until wash day?

You will store them in a wet bag. I have one large size for home, and one small size for my diaper bag. You throw the dirty diaper in the bag, then on wash day you dump the diapers into your washer, flip the bag inside out, and it gets washed also. This is great so that you're never touching a dirty diaper.

6. What do you do when you're on the go and your baby has a dirty diaper?

Same thing you would if you were using disposables, except you obviously won't throw it away. You simply take the dirty diaper, put it in your wet bag that you keep in your diaper bag, and add it to your stash of dirty diapers once you get home. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

7. Do you have to hang them to dry, or can you put them in the dryer?

It is recommended that you dry the inserts using your dryer, but hang/air dry the covers. I hang/air dry all of it on sunny days... the less I can use my dryer, the better... less of an electricity bill and also so much better for the diapers!

8. What made you want to cloth diaper?

First and foremost, the amount of money we'll save. Secondly, the fact that I'm home with the boys already, so why not? Third - they're flippin' cuter than cute. Fourth, they are great on my baby's super sensitive skin! Fifth - the environment! Disposables leave behind an average of 2.7 tons of non-biodegradable waste per child!

I think that's all the questions I've received but if you have more, please ask!

Like I've said a million times, I'm no expert but I'm always happy to let you know what we're doing and what does/doesn't work for us.

Only one regret with cloth diapers... that we didn't do it sooner!