Clearly I have TONS of time to think about this but I've been thinking about cloth diapering for over a year now regardless. I just recently found out i'm pregnant so obviously my mind has kicked into high gear.
Up until now I was completely sold on cloth diapers. I love the concept of the BumGenius 4.0 diapers and I've even mentioned it to the hubby and he's totally on board.
Now that it's a reality I'm starting to second guess myself, so I'm looking for some advice from the professionals. My main concern is when i'm out and about, which is often for me. I'm thinking back to 5 years ago when I was a full time nanny for my cousin's 3 month old twins 5 days a week. As part of my job I was always running tons of errands (so i'd be out for a few hours) and sometimes I just wanted to get out of the house so I'd bring them with me to friends/family (sometimes a full day). Granted these were twins, so the diaper bag had 2x more stuff... but I'm starting to think with cloth diapers I'm going to have to lug around a rolling suitcase! (especially if I'm out and about all day). My other concern would be that I'd smell like a public bathroom lugging around a day's worth of dirty diapers.
What advice would you give in regards to these concerns? Thanks!
Re: Getting cold feet
Carrying around CD's might be a tiny bit bulkier than sposies, but either way you have to carry around diapers. And your wet bag you put in your diaper bag when out does not smell at all...promise.
When you start to use them and see the different brands and styles, some are easier and trimmer for squeezing into the diaper bag
I love the 4.0s. I would say take the plunge, especially with cotton babies sale going on (the buy5get1 ends like today or tomorrow I think...) AND a free diaper for purchases over $100. If you don't like CDing, you can probably get most of your money back.
ETA: I second the planet wise bags!
A few months before my DS was born I decided I wanted to CD. After weeks of boggling my mind with research I too got "cold feet" and decided to go with sposies. Then, about a month before my edd I said, "What the heck, I'll give it a shot," and it was the best decision ever!
If you go with CDs and decide its not for you, guess what? You can sell your stash and get a portion of your money back. The same cannot be said for sposies.
For going out I LOVE Best Bottom diapers. I usually carry around 2 shells (and my baby is wearing another) and 4 inserts and I still have plenty of room for 2 outfits, my wet bag, 2 burp cloths, wipes case, changing pad and a bunch of other stuff. And my diaper bag is not huge.
My wet bag is a Planetwise and there is no smell at all.
Also, you might want to look into the SoftBums if you like pocket diapers, but also might be interested in the AI2 systems. SoftBums Omnis are pocket diapers or you can use them as an AI2. Nice having a choice ESP when u are around town and not at home.
In addition to the previous comments, remember that cloth diapering doesn't have to be all or nothing. Nobody will judge you if you occasionally use disposables (at least nobody should)
When we started CDing we did it just at home and used 'sposies when we were out and about. After a couple of weeks, I felt comfortable enough bringing CDs with me when I was out.
I used disposables the first couple of times I went out with DD.
Then I learned about the true joy that is a poop explosion.
FYI It is NOT fun to clean poo out of a carseat.
Now we use cloth pretty much wherever we go. There is no smell in a wetbag. And if you really want, you can use flushable liners to catch the poop.