Still Cloth Diapering

Eighteen months in, and I'm still cloth diapering little Vee.  I'm still not some extreme tree-hugging, granola eating mama, but I'm happy with the choice to leave a little less of a footprint the second time around with diapering.  And I think we are nearing the end of our cloth diapering journey.  She's showing lots of signs of interest in potty training already.

So why have I decided to write about cloth diapers?  I think simply because I have a load going in the wash as I type.  Oh, and Vee and I are signed up to participate in The Great Diaper Change 2012 to help set a new Guinness World Record. (We are doing it at a local cloth diaper store).

Here's What I Like About Cloth Diapering

• I never have to make a mad dash to the store because I'm out of diapers.  (A mad dash to the washer is another thing).
• Once I had my stash of diapers established (took a bit of time to find what I liked most), there was no more worry about purchasing diapers (self-restraint from buying cute ones seen online is tough though).
• Leaks are minimal, and explosions that aren't contained within the diaper never happen.
• My family is on board with cloth diapering when they look after her.
• We get the chance to be environmentally friendly.

Here's What I Don't Like About Cloth Diapering

• Poop!  I have a sprayer attached to the spare toilet in the house to rinse off solids, but this is just not fun.
• Stink!  I have to strip the cloth diapers with boiling hot water every few months to get the build-up out.  And I miss the summer sun when I get to hang the diapers out to bleach in the sun.

I do have a few exceptions to cloth diapering.  I use night time disposable diapers on her as she is a heavy wetter.  I know I could stuff lots and lots of inserts in her cloth diapers to help with this, I just opted not to do it.  And if we are out of town (vacation, weekend trips), I use disposables too.  It is simply more convenient.