how to respond??

jjcald26

My husband and I recently decided to cloth diaper our triplets.  We purchased a few different kinds and have been doing well for the past week.  My mom (from out of town) came to stay and help out for the past week since I went back to work.  My mom refuses to change any of the babies b/c of the cloth - she states that it's too difficult - (we have a few BG 4.0 and flips) - and has no problem telling me that she doesn't agree with us - "with all the advancements in current disposables in keeping the babies dry".  We actually decided to try out CD because of the cost of diapering 3 babies and we try to be as 'green' as possible, but I don't really know how to respond to her.  I realize these are our babies and we can choose what we think is best, but being a first time mom, I'm not sure how to handle this.  Any suggestions?

prncsstp

I would mention in a non-aggressive way that the "advancements" in disposables include chemicals that you'd rather not have exposed to your triplets' bottoms. Id also mention the cost savings to her... in your particular case - triplets + disposables = $$$$ Dinero

And if shes only staying for a short while, is it out ofthe question to NOT have her change the babies' diapers? I mean, are you there with her? Or is she watching the babies by herself?

If she's by herself, and there are no disposables, what is she going to do, let them sit around in poop/pee all day?!?!

MomOfTrips

I have triplets also, though we didn't start CDing until recently. I so wish we had done it much much earlier. If for no other reason, the cost alone of keeping three in disposable diapers is very costly. The first year alone we spent $3000+ just on disposable diapers. I also have one who has very sensitive skin and bad eczema in the colder months. The diaper rashes she would get in disposables were awful and very painful. I am not having that issue now. The kids themselves seem to prefer cloth diapers over the disposables. Much softer on their skin and way less irritating.

There have been advancements with disposables but not all are good. And yes they can absorb a lot, but that doesn't really change how often they have to be changed, or the fact that babies in disposables have a much higher diaper rash rate.  

We use pocket diapers and even my DH finds them easy to use. The advances in cloth diapers make them super easy to use and are basically like a disposable in that way. Has she tried changing them?

I wish I could be more help. From one MoM to another, if I knew then what I know now about all of this, I would have just done cloth from the beginning.

Dr.Loretta

"When you have a set of triplets pulled out of your body, you can decide how to diaper them. Until then, I'd appreciate it if you used the diapers we bought for them. Here, I'll show you how easy they are."

bugandbibs

Since it's your mom (and not DH's) I would be blunt.  I would tell her that this is what you have decided is best for your family, and she needs to respect that.  As far as refusing to change CDs, it's not really her job unless she is alone with them.  My mom who loves our CDs still doesn't change dipes very often because she has BTDT already.  If she is alone with them, she'll get over it because that's all there is to use.  I wouldn't worry too much unless she decides to move in.

BFab11

Ditto what everyone else has said. Your kids, your wallet, your choice. Tell her thanks for her concern but you have made this choice and please respect it. Show her how easy it is to change them and if she babysits and refuses to use cloth she is welcome to buy disposable diapers for when she's in charge. If she's just at your house helping but not alone with them I'd just totally ignore the entire subject of diapers around her. Don't ask her to change them, don't talk about them, and if she brings it up just say "this is our choice and we're sticking with it" and walk away. Make it obvious it's not up for discussion.