The Washing Machine is My New Best Friend!

So the big event that recently took place in our home was the big switch over to CLOTH DIAPERS!!!! This is something I've wanted to do ever since Maria was born, but never got motivated to do it. Since Naomi joined our clan, we are spending so much more on diapers and it was just getting really annoying. Before Maria was born, I had done some research on cloth diapers. The only ones I had even heard about were the traditional pre-folds that most people, today, use as burp cloths. That's when I discovered BumGenius!!! BumGenius created a diaper that is all in one and get this: one size ADJUSTABLE diaper that grows with your child! Gone are the days when you had to safety pin the diapers together and put those creepy feeling plastic pants on your baby. These diapers do it all, except wash themselves, of course. The come with a multi-layered , absorbent insert and a waterproof outer shell that velcros together. Adjustable snaps make it easy to change when your child grows a little bigger. My sister-in-law, Laura, has been using them on Olivia since she was a tiny baby and she loves them. Upon hearing this idea, most people look at me and ask "why would you do that???"

Well, wonder no more because here's why:

1)MONEY: We were easily spending around $60-$70 a month in disposable diapers. Although it's a big investment up front, it will only take us 6-7 months to re-coup that cost with the cloth diapers.

2)HEALTH: Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper bleaching process. It's a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. In small quantities, dioxin causes birth defects, immune system suppression, skin and liver diseases and genetic damage in lab animals. It is banned in most countries, but not the US. Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin, a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. They also contain Polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer, which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. This chemical can cause skin irritations and severe allergic reactions including vomiting, staph infections and fever.( Every mom has seen those nasty little gel blobs on their kid's bottoms every once in a while...that's what those are)

3)ENVIRONMENT: Your baby will need anywhere from 6,000-9,000 diapers during the first 3 years of life. Over 92% of all single use diapers end up in a landfill. No one knows how long they take to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years.
(All of these facts came from www.DiaperShops.com)

So, those are my top 3 reasons. Am I doing a little more laundry...YES! Does it take more time to fold the diapers...YES! Is it a pain to have to change their diapers a little more often...YES! However, I am a stay at home mom, and I am willing to deal with these inconveniences to save my family money and protect my kids from as many unhealthy chemicals as possible. Besides all this, they look really, really cute on their little bums! See for yourself!