All's Well That Ends!

Quick update in the cloth diapering department....

A few weeks ago I used up my last disposable diaper and officially, as well as a bit nervously, made the switch to reusable diapers. I am happy to report that the situation is well in hand and both baby and I are loving the changes - no sweat! It has proven to be easy peasy lemon squeezy. Not to mention that my little man looks so adorable in his cloth diapers that some days I put nothing but a matching t-shirt on him with the diaper, and he ends up being the cutest baby on the block cruising around in his "g pants". Here's some recent pictures. See for yourself.

The Hitch

Things haven't gone off entirely without a hitch, although they've come together fairly smoothly overall. Sunday, for example, at church Little Man had a blow out; he literally was oozing more poo than any diaper could handle (I think it was because of the new baby apples and oatmeal cereal he had for breakfast that morning). Normally this wouldn't be a problem at home, just a quick clean up and a fresh diaper.... But there I was stuck at church, digging through the diaper bag while holding baby hostage on the diaper changing table, only to discover that I had brought extra liners (the absorbent layer that goes inside the diaper) but I had not thought to bring extra diapers. 

I did a pretty good job of cleaning off the diaper so he could wear it till I was able to get him home again, but I won't be skipping that corner anymore - ALWAYS bring extra liners and an extra diaper. Lesson learned!

You Might Want to Know....

So here is what I've learned about cloth diapering in my short experience with them. The pouch diapers are too much work. You have to wash the entire diaper every time baby urinates the teeniest bit. 

I like the "g-diaper" the absolute best. They come with an outer shell (the diaper) and a waterproof liner that snaps into place (which only needs to get changed every now and then) and a cloth insert that fits into the liner (this insert is the only thing I have to change with most diaper changes). Little Man wears the same diaper for 3 days usually and I just swap out the wet liner for a dry one every so many hours. It's as easy as pie! I wash the wet or soiled liners every 3 or 4 days, but I have enough of them that I actually don't have to wash them more than once a week if need be. 

There's Always a "Butt"

Although I love the "g-diaper" I have found that the cloth inserts bunch up and lose their shape once the diaper is secured in place by the adjustable Velcro straps. I found a much better cloth insert, and it is way cheaper. Charcoal bamboo liners are softer but thicker and they hold their shape better so they stay in place. They are also more absorbent and wick the moisture away from Little Man's bottom so much more effectively than the "g liners" did. 

Also, the "g liners" don't get him through the night so I have to double them up which isn't a big deal, but the charcoal bamboo liners are so absorbent that just one keeps him dry all night. 

The End

I have put an end to one more disposable item in my life, and it is a good ending. I am becoming more self-sufficient and declaring my independence from "the system". I am gaining confidence that when the crap hits the fan I will be ready, and I will be able to live with relative ease and comfort. I am just glad my head isn't buried in denial and that I recognize what is going on in the world and what it will unavoidably mean. I am relieved to make these changes now while the getting is good. Isn't it time that you made changes as well?