The Big Switch

Last weekend, we switched Owen over to cloth diapers. We're making the switch for a bunch of reasons that I won't go into here - there are about a zillion websites already doing that. I've been pleasantly surprised by how many other people are also using cloth. It's not just the hard core hippie environmentalists.

We laugh because the cloth is so much bulkier than the slim little disposables. The bulk is helping Owen fit into his clothes better!

Here are the answers to the first questions that we're getting:
- No, there are no pins. Cloth has come a long way since we were kids. We're inserting the cloth diapers into waterproof wraps that have velcro closures. Easy.
- No, we don't have diaper service. I'm attempting to launder myself. The first batch turned out okay, but I'll be perfecting the system for a while.
- Yes, we're still using disposables for trips, daycare, and just long stretches out of the house. Who wants to tote around a bunch of soiled cloth all day?
- No, regular baby stores don't really carry the supplies. We have one store in Bend carrying diapers and wraps, but hooray for the internet - Green Mountain Diaper rocks.

In starting cloth, we got two great pieces of advice to help set us up for success:
1. Use disposables for at least the first couple weeks after you have the baby. Don't try to figure out how to take care of a newborn and launder diapers at the same time.
2. Give yourself a break and use disposables when needed. Don't be so hard core that you can't throw on a disposable when you'll be out shopping or whatever.

We'll see how this goes. If Owen starts looking supper skinny in his photos in a few weeks, you'll know we've given up, but I'm encouraged to know that others are cloth diapering with success.