The Learning Curve

"So, how's the cloth diapering working out for you?"

It's a question I've gotten quite a few times over the last three weeks and so far the answer has been the same... "Great!"

There have been a few scratches of the head here and there and a few tricks to add to the box, but for the most part it has gone exactly as I expected it would.

However, I'd be remiss in not sharing some of the things I've learned over the last three weeks with those who may be interested in cloth diapering.

First, I want to discuss my husband. I know it seems odd that the first thing I would bring up is a grown man when talking about cloth diapering but oddly enough more people ask how John likes it over how I feel about it. Despite how strange I think that is I'm happy to report that John handles cloth diapering like a pro. And when asked he informed me that while it is a bit more involved in some respects, if you are trying to save money it certainly is the way to go and he has no problem with it.

I think that pretty much sums that up.

Next, I have to mention something that I never really put much thought into before Garrett was born: diaper rash.

If you do a search on diaper rash in cloth vs disposable diapers you will get such varied opinions you'll be lucky to know which way is up. Some say that you get fewer diaper rashes with cloth diapers because there are no added chemicals or gels in the diapers that can irritate your baby's skin. Others say that you get fewer diaper rashes with disposables because the gels keep the baby more dry. And finally there are those in the middle who say it doesn't matter if you use cloth or disposables the chances are good you are going to have to deal with diaper rash at least once in your diapering years.

And we learned that this is true.

About a week ago Garrett came down with his first diaper rash. Now, because the causes and types of rashes are so varied it's hard to pinpoint the exact culprit. It could be food allergies, the diaper, yeast infection, being too wet or too dry, eczema, etc. All I knew was that my poor little one was screaming his head off every time he went to the bathroom and I needed to make him better.

Knowing nothing about diaper rashes I started my research. I read about the different kinds of rashes, how they present, looked at pictures, looked for home remedies and treatments and pretty much spent one whole day acquainting myself with the ailments and cures of diaper rashes.

I will admit that the disposable diaperer has one advantage over the cloth diaperer in that they don't have to worry about whether their washing procedure, water or soap has anything to do with their baby's rash or whether a particular rash cream with damage their diapers. The individuals who use disposables have the advantage of smearing whatever cream on their baby they feel necessary and throwing away the evidence at the end of a diaper change. They don't even have to know what type of rash it is to make a better diagnoses as to what the underlying problem may be. This is not necessarily so for the cloth diaperer.

If the rash is caused by being too wet the solution is simple, just change the baby more often and try to keep him dry or use fleece, stay-dry liners to help the baby stay dry (hence the name). However, if the rash is caused by soap residue or improper washing you can change the kid's diaper every fifteen minutes and it won't make a lick of difference.

Not to mention that there are creams out there that are harmful to cloth diapers. They can cause build up that will not wash out and effect the absorbency of the diapers or make them stink. The build up can also fester in the diaper and the residue can cause other chemical based diaper rashes.

So, while I've just sent everyone even considering cloth diapering running for the hills, let me redeem myself by saying that I'd rather find out the underlying cause of a rash and treat it from the source than continue to plaster cream all over my baby's butt and just keep the monster at bay.

It seemed, through my copious combing of the internet, that my little one had a rash caused by the acid in his poop (a fairly common red rash in and around the anus area of babies who have frequent bowel movements and common to both cloth and disposable diaper users). The little guy has about 6-8 poopy diapers a day and it was no surprise that the acid in stomach and intestinal track could cause a rash when left on the skin for even very short periods of time. Not to mention the rash can be made worse by the mother of a breastfed baby (like Garrett) eating acidic foods, harsh diaper wipes and any pH imbalance in washing techniques.

I immediately switched from using disposable wipes to cloth or bamboo wipes with just water as a washing agent, added an extra rinse to my diaper washing routine with the addition of about 1/4 cup of Vinegar to restore pH balance (even though I am aware that Vinegar is an acid) and I also began diapering Garrett with hemp doublers or in Bamboo fitted diapers overnight as both natural fibers have natural antibacterial and soothing qualities to them. Also, to initially fight the existing rash I got some Burt's Bees Diaper Cream that is cloth diaper safe which cleared him up in less than a day.

His bottom is as smooth as the day he was born.

Now, I'm sure there are a few people who are scratching their head and thinking, "Bamboo and hemp fitted diapers, wipes and doublers? What the...?" and I'd assure you that I thought the same thing.

The first time I picked up a package of bamboo wipes and read the tag I wasn't quite sure I was reading correctly. After all, bamboo is a plant and I wasn't even aware you could get a fabric out of such a rigid and tree-like plant. I also wasn't aware that bamboo hemp have natural antibacterial properties to them that keep bacteria from growing in or around them so they stay very clean. Not to mention both hemp and bamboo have at least 50% more absorbing power than cotton that keeps the baby dry and comfortable. Not to mention they NEVER leak.

The downside, of course, is that they are pricey.

My three bamboo fitted diapers, four hemp doublers and bamboo wipes probably cost me well over fifty dollars, but I look on the bright side in that they will serve me for life and for multiple children should we decide to have more down the line. And I see it as fifty dollars I throw into the washing machine to come out new on the other side instead of being thrown in the trash.

They work so well, in fact, that I find myself sticking a hemp doubler in his diaper for any time we are going to be out and I might be delayed in changing him or even sticking him in a bamboozle (the bamboo fitted diaper) for nap time as he seems to love the soft silky bamboo against his skin so much more than even the soft, clean cotton.

Night time, travel, long car rides or church, I'm reaching for the hemp and bamboo and I think my next extra bit of cash may go into getting him a few more hemp or bamboo fitted diapers and possibly a wool cover or two for air flow.

And this is where cloth diaperers have one over on the those who use disposables. Instead of choosing which variety of disposable diaper which is essentially made of the same materials to stick our kid in, we get to choose from a variety of cloth that is breathable, soft, plush, cozy and comforting.

In short, I'm still very happy about our decision to cloth diaper. With Garrett going through almost sixteen diapers a day in some cases I can't imagine how much money we would have spent already were it not for cloth diapers.