Diaper Changes

I have never had a problem changing diapers. I was a pro by the time my first one was born, since I took care of my brother for years. I have bought countless packages of diapers over the years. (Don't even want to imagine how many). I never even considered other options besides the packaged kind. I have learned what brands work for my kids, and what ones leak horribly. With Zachary, I stocked up on my favorite brands, and was ready to begin the diaper show again. For some reason I started thinking about alternatives. I have no idea why, maybe I felt bad about my contribution to the landfills,or the huge bill I paid the last time I went to Babies R Us to buy diapers in bulk. I don't know, but I started looking into the possibility of cloth diapers. (gasp!) When I think of cloth diapers I think of those diapers that were just a piece of cloth held together by safety pins, and covered with a plastic cover. Totally unappealing. I know that poor Zachary and I would be poked and stabbed constantly with those pins. I happened to come across a lady selling some cloth diapers, and I was really impressed with the quality and ease of the diapers.They had a cloth insert, and were covered in a nice soft water proof material, in different colors. (And yes, they were new!) I bought a couple for Zachary, and one for Laurelin since she uses a pull up at night still. First off, I liked how soft they were on the inside, and how easy they were to adjust to the correct size for Zachary and the size for Laurelin. Laurelin was very excited to try it since I was able to buy her one with a pretty flower print. I must say that the cloth diaper is much bulkier then the disposable kind. It did fit very nice around the legs and waist.  When I changed Zachary, he felt nice and dry, and his skin was not red. I put the diaper in the wash machine and just washed it with our other clothes. In the morning, Laurelin was very proud of not peeing in her new diaper, and pulled it off and put it in the washing machine. Now came the next challenge of a poopie diaper. Being that he is breast fed, he doesn't make that big of a mess. It was very contained inside the diaper, better it seemed then a disposable diaper in fact. My one complaint was, what do I do with the wipe? I just put it in the garbage, but I think I would have to come with a better way of dealing with those. I took the diaper to the washing machine and sprayed it with spot remover, and threw it in the washing machine. It came out nice and clean. I think I am a convert! Although Derek is not completely sold on the idea, and won't change Zachary with those on. I know if given a chance he will come around. Next will be finding some diapers on sale and stocking up on extra cloth ones. I guess I can walk proudly to the Earth Day festivities knowing I am doing my part. :) Well at least for part of my days.