KATELYNN HEGEDUS

CLOTH DIAPERS

The Complete Guide for the Total Beginner

Introduction My Story

At the release of this eBook, our oldest little miracle is 23 months old, and the youngest not quite 6 months old. Similarly, we’ve been using cloth diapers for 23 months. In that time, I’ve experienced nearly every blip, frustration, tribulation and scenario one can expect with cloth diapering 2 kids (at the same time – sort of). In fact, I can’t think of one instance that I haven’t been exposed to (including Houdini-like behaviour). Everything I know I learned from personal trial and error. I like to consider myself something of an expert in the subject, with the desire to help anyone and everyone who is seeking advice on the matter.

Which brings me to this next project. Cloth Diapers: The Complete Guide for the Total Beginner. When I started researching cloth diapers over 2 years ago, it was extremely overwhelming. I mean extremely. Like, near avoidance-type overwhelming. So much so, that my very “type A” personality ended up procrastinating. I’ll admit, for me that meant something a lot less serious than you might be thinking. I still had a full stash by the time I had a nice little belly on me.

Anyway, in all my research, there were very few comprehensive guides for first-timers like myself. Now, a couple of years later, I’m determined to change that. I want this guide to be accessible to all those wanting to start some sort of cloth diapering regime, regardless of experience.

Throughout this eBook, you’ll learn the basics of getting started:

• Which myths are true, and which need to be set straight.• Why you want to start• The types and styles• Where to find cloth diapers• How to wash and care for your diapers

You’re also going to get all my insider tips and personal routines + recipes.

So, what are you waiting for? Dig in and get started today!

Busting the Myths

Myth #1 – Cloth isn’t that much cheaper than ‘sposies

Sorry, but this is just ridiculous. Yes, you can spend thousands on cloth diapers like you would on disposables, but the average mama would never do such a thing. If you’re open to buying pre-loved diapers, you get phenomenal deals.

In larger centers, there’s also diaper services where you pay a fee to have diapers dropped off (clean) and picked up for you (dirty).

Myth #2 – It’s just too much work.

Nope, not even. Because we started cloth diapering from the get-go, we actually find using disposables to be more work the odd time we have to use them. I enjoy wash day. There’s no better time than those sunny afternoons when I see my bright white diapers hanging on the line. Yes, there is a learning curve and it takes some getting used to and planning, but I promise you won’t even notice it once it becomes a habit. Some days I need those few minutes of diaper folding to clear my mind and reset for the rest of the day.

Myth #3 – They’re not any better for the environment

Keep telling yourself that, chicky. Do a quick Google search for “disposables and the environment” then tell me again what you think. Cloth are used for much longer (a lot of our stash is now on the 5th kid!), break down quicker, and use less chemicals and foreign materials. Yes, there’s the washing to consider, but it still doesn’t compare with the impact of disposables on our ecosystems.

Myth #4 – They just leak

Yes, cloth will be more prone to leaking. However, and this is a biggie, once you find the right style + fit for your baby, your system will be nearly bullet proof. PLUS, it is nearly unheard of to have poop-splosions with cloth diapers. I can tell you from experience, this has only happened to me twice, both times because of a too-small diaper that I was too stubborn to pack away. #momfail

Myth #5 – Cloth diapers stink

Ok, so they can stink. When washed properly with an appropriate detergent, and air or tumble dried immediately, there shouldn’t be any odour. Except if there’s a

build up of ammonia. Which does happen. Fear not, this is a simple fix, remedied with an easy (but slightly time-consuming) process called stripping. Not as fun as it may sound.

There’s also methods and pails used to reduce odours between washes. We honestly have never had an issue with this with the simple (plastic) lidded garbage cans that we have. I’ve known a lot of moms to have issues with Diaper Genies becoming super smelly and troublesome, so really, it’s hard to compare. If stink is an issue for you, though, just through in a charcoal filter or some cotton balls with a few drops of essential oil (lemon is nice) on them – just be sure to put them under the bag, not inside – you don’t want cotton balls in your washing machine!

Myth #6 – Rashes are more common in cloth diapers

I’m kind of torn on this one. Statistics will show that cloth diapered babies have fewer rashes. In my own house, my kids have had some nasty rashes. Once as bad as a horror movie. Typically, these horrific rashes are due to yeast spores which can live on cloth. I eventually learned this and did a good stripping with grapeseed oil to kill all the spores. I now throw in some tea tree oil with every wash and use grapeseed every time I strip. (hehe).

On the flip side, babies can be sensitive to all sorts of disposable diapers. Add that to the fact that they’re not very breathable and you’ll almost always experience some sort of rash within the first few months of a baby’s life.

Myth #7 – I need a diaper sprayer, and that’s just too much

Fact: I’ve never used a diaper sprayer. I don’t “dunk + swish”, I don’t rinse (as a rule). Heck, I’ve only used my “poop scraper” a handful of times. Dealing with the waste is much simpler than you would think. As newborns, baby waste is water-soluble, meaning it can go in your washing machine with no issues. Once baby starts on food, his poops will change to be more solid. At this point you’ll need to plop the contents into the toilet before throwing in the pail. If there’s a sticky bit just wipe it with toilet paper, a bum wipe, or a designated poop spatula.

Fun fact: disposable companies recommend disposing of poop in the toilet prior to tossing the diaper, too.

Myth #8 – Only hippies and tree huggers use cloth diapers

While I sometimes find these terms to be offensive, I don’t consider myself to be either of the above. Yes, we care about the environment and do what we can to cut down on our carbon footprint, but we are far from the commune-living, dope-smoking, incense-burning images that come to mind. There’s room for cloth in every home, not just the ultra nature-loving.

Why You Want to

Cloth Diaper

For my family, cloth diapering was a no-brainer. The thought of buying disposables never really occurred to us. I’m not sure how our mindset came to be this way, but it did, and I’m forever thankful for it. I’m a very stubborn person, so once I decided to use the reusable kind, there was no convincing me otherwise. If you’re contemplating starting fresh, switching to, or supplementing with cloth diapers, I encourage you to consider the following points:

• Money Savings

The money you will save from not buying disposables is hard to pass up. For us, it meant thousands. Using an average of $0.29/disposable @ 6 diapers/day, this equates to $1 270.20 for 2 years. Now, that’s assuming your child is totally done with diapers on his/her second birthday, and you use only 6 diapers per day. Obviously, most families will be well above this number.

Our stash? It consists of well over a hundred diapers (newborn and up). I have used every type of diaper out there (aside from wool, unfortunately), and have tried numerous brands. I’ve paid around $700 for all of our diapers and accessories. Granted, most were second-hand, and a lot were given to us, but to properly outfit a child with cloth diapers, you can expect to spend $400-$500. Which may seem like a lot, but remember, it’s a fraction of disposables AND they grow with your child, can be used for future children and sold when you’re if you take care of them.

• Eco-Friendly

While my husband and I aren’t the greenest people on the planet, we do try to do what we can to help our environment. This means recycling and reusing, composting, collecting rain water, lowering the temperature of our home, finding ways to minimize our fuel consumption, and using cloth diapers.

All it takes is one Google search to see how detrimental disposable diapers are to the environment. They take hundreds of years to decompose, emit methane, and bulk up our garbage cans and landfills (extra costs!). While a lot of cloth alternatives contain synthetic fibres, they (along with cotton and bamboo) do break down in less than 500 years. Just sayin’.

• Safer and More Comfortable

While this isn’t something I necessarily considered at first (cost was my driving influence), it quickly became a priority after a bit of research. You know how disposables are more absorbent? You know, they hold more pee? Well, that’s due to the magic of science and chemical reactions. All right next to your baby’s sensitive bottom. Take that as you wish.

I don’t know about you, but if I was given the choice between cotton undergarments and plastic, I know which I’d choose. Oh wait, I already do… My point being that a natural fibre like cotton or bamboo, or even micro-fibre, is going to be much more comfortable than highly created replacements. Not to mention they’re more breathable and less prone to irritation.

• They’re Fun and Cute!

Ok, so this isn’t really a top concern, at least not in my books, but it is something to think about when daydreaming about your new little baby. Cloth diapers come in literally every colour, pattern and style you can imagine. I’ve often caught myself planning outfits to coordinate with diapers. And those little fluff bums are just too adorable.

A bit to this – once you start cloth diapering, you’ll become addicted to buying them. Consider yourself warned.

It’s also fun to see our daughter using the newborn diapers as nappies for her baby dolls. I love that my kids are growing up with the idea that we reuse as much as we can, and we’re able to educate their friends when I’m asked about why the baby’s diaper is different. Side note: 4 year olds have so. many. questions!