Non-clicky poll - reason to CD

Mrs_B_Sept08

Hey girls, I've been getting a lot of negative responses to my intention to start CD'ing. People comment it isn't really better for the environment, that it's way more work than sposies, that it isn't that much cheaper with all the extra washing you need to do.

So here's my Q - what were your reasons to start CD'ing so I can counter some of these responses.

TIA!

DreamsBride411

Hey H!

I CD, but in a really cheap way... I didn't buy all the expensive types of CDs;  I use old school prefold cloth diapers (many people use them as burp cloths), rubber pants and pins.  I think it's the cheapest way to CD... The set of about 50 prefolds I have cost me about $80, plus 2 sets of 3 rubber pants in each size at about $4.50 each set (so like $9 each size) and the pins were like $5.00 total.  So, on average I spent $125 for all the CDing supplies.  It also costs me about $8 a week to wash - I don't have a w/d in my apt - I have to pay to was downstairs in my building (and that's including detergent and the stuff I use to soak the diapers in).   On average, I change Mari like 8-10 times a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. 

If I had to use sposies all the time (I'm using them now on vacation) I estimate I'd be spending about $20/week on diapers (if I was changing her just as often).  But that's also because I'll only buy chlorine free diapers that are better for the environment.  I didn't originally start out saying that I was going to CD because it's better for the environment, but now that I use them, I literally get nauseaus thinking about how many freaking diapers go into landfills everyday!  Those diapers are there for years and years!!  Since I've been on vacation, I've been using sposies and honestly, as bad as this sounds, I feel guilty about it.  I really feel like using CDs reduces my imprint on ruining this environment.  I also can't imagine the cost difference...  My CDs are So.Much.Cheaper.  even with washing and drying.

One other good thing about CD babies is that on average, they potty train quicker.  Because a CD allows a baby to feel wet when they pee, it helps them associate the feeling of having to pee and what happens after the feeling is gone...

GL!!!

Ashleysred

It only costs like $400 over two years to wash the cloth diapers.  It is really only 3 extra loads a week.

The potty training thing is fab.  And was a huge motivator for me to CD.

And once people actually see you CDing they will change their minds.  What do you care what they think anyway?

BlondeBeachBride08

Not sure why people think that doing 3 loads of laundry a week is going to cost so much money! Don't let the haters get you down. it WILL save you money in the long term, plus you can use the diapers again for baby number 2!

All you have to say is 'I'm doing it because I think it's the best thing for my child'  

mrsquetee09

We haven't started yet (baby will be in her a couple weeks!), but DH and I are gung ho about CDing. I thought he'd be resistant, but he agreed early on when he started seeing the cost of diapers in the store compared to the CD systems. Cristina - I really like your breakdown! Our W/D is right by her nursery that has a kids cycle and we think it's going to be very convenient for us. Looking forward to CDing

MrsBlayne

I believe the studies that showed that CDing wasn't better for the environment were done a while back, and now washers and dryers are more efficient. I really dont find that it is much more work. And I agree with Cris, I just cringe to think of all those diapers going into landfills. I am a little curious as to why yours are costing so much. We use bum genius and fuzzi buns mostly, and we have spent less than $500 and will not have to spend much more than that.

AprilJT

First off I looked into cloth diapering because of costs.  I'm not going the cheap route and I'm still going to be saving a TON of money.  The way that I talked my DH into cloth diapering was telling him how much money we were going to save.  There are a lot of websites out there that really break down the cost for you so you can understand how much it is going to save you in the long run (including the washing costs). 

When I really started researching it I realized that there are a lot of other great reasons to cloth diaper.  Like it is better for the environment.  Those studies that said it wasn't were actually done by the disposable diaper companies so I really don't trust them.  Also, they don't look into all the waste that goes into making them.  There is a lot more water waste that goes into making disposable diapers then you use washing them.   One of the things that really caught me off guard was reading an account from a girl who lives by the P&G manufacturing plant (makes Pampers).  They can't even use their water due to the pollution that comes from the plant. 

Then you look at all the chemicals in disposable diapers.  Do you really want that next to your babies skin?  The chemical that used to be in tampons that they traced to TSS and now banned in tampons is still used in diapers for absorbancy.  That scares me.  

There are a lot of great reasons out there and lots of websites that will break it all down for you if you can take the time to find them.  Don't let people's opinion sway you though.  My MIL and mom both cloth diapered 30 years ago when it wasn't nearly as easy and they both were so supportive of me doing it.  Most people who are being negative about it have no clue what they are taking about.  And they will change their mind when they see how easy it can be, and how freakin cute cloth diapered babies are!  

jebuell

I find that a lot of people who look down upon cloth diapering for the reasons you stated are just trying to justify their decision to use disposables for themselves. I don't think disposables are really that evil, but there is no way that cloth diapering is not more eco-friendly and I'd say 90% of the time they are WAY more affordable, even when you take into account the cost of the extra water.

For instance, let's pretend you use a laundromat to clean your diapers.  Where I live a load of laundry to wash is $2.  If you want to dry it's another $1, but you can also hang dry and that's actually better for the diapers (and you can hang dry indoors during the winter if you want).  Now let's say you clean your CDs 2 times a week.  That's $4 plus the cost of the diapers themselves (let's say you spent $500 on those).  Now let's say you CD for 100 weeks (2 years-ish).  You just spent $900-1000 on cloth diapering.  I believe if you use disposables for the same about of time it's an average of $1500 from birth to potty training.  Even if you dry your diapers every time or have to add another wash every few weeks or replace a CD or two or three you are STILL saving hundreds of dollars.  And that's if you use a laundromat, what you pay for water usage at home will be much, much less!

And the environmental debate is just silly.  Water is a renewable source, space in a landfill is not.  If you are really concerned about your water usage or live where water IS scarce shorten your shower by 3 minutes a day or only shower every other day and you save about the same amount that you'd use in a week washing your diapers.

Are they more work?  I actually do think they are.  But I see that as a small price to pay.

Personally, my main reason to want to CD is that they are cute!  And because of my blog and my friends I can get a whole stash of CDs virtually free which makes them even more cheaper. 

And speaking of CDs, I'm giving away a Kissaluvs OS fitted diaper on my blog next month. 

Mrs.G_09

I have to be honest, until I looked into CD'ing after reading about other people using them on this board, I had no interest in CD'ing. After reading all of the positives about using CD and how cute and easy they are now, I'm sold. All of my family, including my husband, think I'm crazy though. My SIL is due soon and my BIL wanted to CD, but she said no. She doesn't want to deal with all that poop! I had to laugh though because honestly there is no way around dealing with poop when you have a baby, she'll see :-)

I really like this blogger's post on why she uses cloth diapers. Maybe you can use some of the info. https://zookeeperjess.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-use-cloth-diapers.html

The most important thing though is that you and your husband want to do it. No one else matters!