12031 Diapers
Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason. — Mark Twain
Cloth Diapers are Best for Baby, Best for the Planet, and Best for the Future!
Many families spend big bucks for disposable diapers. However, the choice that cares for people, cares for the future, and cares for the planet is the plain cloth diaper. You will need 2 to 4 dozen to start. As babies get older, they use fewer diapers each day. Make your own or buy them. One set will do for several babies over a period of years, getting softer as time passes. Eventually you can repurpose them to make soft rags for dusting and polishing.
Changing diapers
With chemically enhanced disposables, it's not always easy to tell if baby is wet so they get changed by the clock. With cotton diapers, you change them only when it needs to be done. Each time you pick up the baby, use your finger to check the top of the diaper for dampness or feel the bottom for that heavy, warm sensation. For fastening the diaper, there are various Velcro covers available. If you are breast-feeding your baby, you will find that the diaper doesn't smell quite as bad.
Potty Training.
One of the great reasons for using cloth diapers is that it is much easier to potty train your baby and you do so earlier. It's not unusual for cloth diapered kids to be potty trained six months before those using disposable diapers.
Diaper Pails
Scrape off the solids into the toilet, toss into a diaper pail. The two basic options are “Wet” and “Dry.” With a wet pail, the soiled diapers soak in water. You can add some lavender or tea tree essential oils, together with some baking soda. With the dry pail, simply toss the diapers in a pail and sprinkle some baking soda to control odors. Wash the diapers frequently. For a review of the diaper pail options, see http://babyproducts.about.com/od/clothdiapers/bb/wet_dry_pail.htm.
Laundry.
Wash new diapers several times before using to remove chemicals.
To clean soiled diapers. . . Soak them overnight in cold water with ½ cup baking soda added. Drain and wash in a machine with hot water, laundry detergent, and ½ cup baking soda. Double rinse the diapers. During the first rinse, add ½ cup vinegar to the rinse water.
If you can’t soak them overnight, run the diapers through a cold water wash cycle with no detergent. Add ½ cup baking soda to the wash cycle. Afterwards, run the diapers through a hot water wash cycle as described above.
Drying.
Air or sun drying is the preferred method. Sunlight is a natural germ killer and makes everything smell nice. Sun drying helps reduce diaper rash.
Diaper rash.
Avoidance is best. Rinse baby's bottom often. Soaps are not always necessary, as baby poop is water soluble. If you use soap, rinse well. If you travel with baby, keep a wash cloth wet with water in a baggie in your diaper bag, or make your own baby wipes. Use corn starch for baby powder. Olive oil or cooking oil is as good as baby oil and are natural plant-based oils. Your baby's bottom will be healthier if it gets a good dose of occasional sun light and fresh air. Let your baby be without diapers on occasion. Don't leave the baby in the sun where he or she could get sun burned.
For certain restricted circumstances when managing a diaper pail isn’t possible, such as traveling, disposable diapers make sense. For regular use cloth diapers are the best.
There is a tremendous amount of information on the internet about the use of cloth diapers. The About.com site is a good place to start.
http://babyproducts.about.com/od/bathsdiaperspotties/bb/cloth_diapers.htm
http://babyproducts.about.com/od/clothdiapers/Cloth_Diapering_Resources.htm