Looking for a way to save a few thousand dollars while saving the planet, too? Then perhaps it is time to consider using cloth diapers on your precious babes. We’ve used them since my 2 1/2 year old daughter was born and haven’t regretted it since.
The best part about cloth diapering? Potty training! While the average age to potty train a toddler is 3 1/2, we started training Evelyn when she was 18 months, and she was totally trained by the time she was 2. What a relief!
I was recently quoted in an article exploring the pros and cons of different diapering options. Check out the article here:
http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/08/disposable-vs-reusable-diapers-how-to-save/
Curious about getting started with cloth diapers? Check out my cloth diapering manifesto here: https://homemademothering.com/2009/09/the-cloth-diapering-manifesto.html
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we exclusively cloth as well and we started training our son at 17 mths and he is totally trained at 18 mths! we had to go to a pediatric specialist one day and he was asking for tips lol!! looking forward to early potty training our 3 mth old too!
Good for you, Courtnay! I've always heard it is harder to train boys, so your success is encouraging for me to hear.
I was hoping to have my daughter trained by the time she was 18 months, but the birth of my son was too much distraction and excitement. We got back on track pretty quickly, though!
i so under stand. my original plan was 14 mth but i had #2 and also didn't have the time/energy/commitment!! 🙂
We're definitely planning on cloth, but I also just stumbled on Elimination Communication (EC), which I find very interesting. Diaper Free Baby is the first book I read on the subject. I'll still buy some cloth diapers (hopefully used), but I want to try EC as a possible way to cut down on the number of diapers that we use (and hence the laundry).
Good luck with EC, Melissa! I heard about that, too, but in reality it just wasn't feasible or realistic for us. Let me know how it works for you!
Found you randomly through twitter! SO glad I did.
We part time EC (basically meaning that we catch all the poop in the potty and do timed pottying. When he wakes, after he nurses, after a meal). It translates into 3 diapers a day usually, with one on a really lucky day!
Thanks for your sweet comment.
I can't wait to check out your cloth diaper links. For the last 8+ months I've used cloth on my son (3) during the night. After months of limiting water intake before bed and still, of changing the sheets, I have given up. We're back to paper and it makes me sick to spend so much on them! Do you have any thoughts or tricks/tips so I could go back to cloth?
So nice to "meet" a fellow cloth diapering mama! Bravo to you for your commitment to your son's health and the health of our planet.
Night times are also tough for us. Have you tried using a doubler? What kind of cloth are you using at night? We've had the most success with Bum Genius + a doubler. I know some people swear by hemp inserts – you could try those, too.
Don't beat yourself up if you have to use one disposable per day (at night!). If you have a lot of extra laundry by using cloth at night, the environmental impact might be evened out.
we have found that a fitted (or prefold) with a doubler and cover should do the trick. we really like the bummis organic cotton sized prefolds. (if you go the prefold route. spring for snappis… it's SO worth it!) for fitteds: motherease sandies (or motherease one size) in bamboo with bamboo doubler (or organic cotton… organic cotton is more absorbent then convential) will help too. they say bamboo is the most absorbent fabric. we like the bummis super brite or the thirsties duo wraps you can find all those things here: http://www.thebabyfootprint.com/
also, you could try putting a pad under him and using your current system… he'll leak but if you use a wool pad… you would only need to air it not wash it. or use a cottony one and you just have to wash that…
wool pads are here. http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/other.htm you could try either the changing pad one (should be big enough unless he rolls a lot in the night!)
hope that helps!!