Choosing cloth

Let’s get this out in the open: it’s the poop that everyone worries about when it comes to cloth diapering your baby. Lacey Heinz, founder of the Spokane Cloth Diapering Group, is here to assuage your fears. “The poop is not that bad,” Heinz explains. “If you breastfeed your baby, there is no spraying or dumping or swishing. Just toss the cloth diapers and wraps into the washing machine. You are good to go.” For Heinz’s family, the benefits of cloth outweigh the chore of washing. “We save money, water is a renewable resource in Washington state, and I don’t use bleach or fabric softener. In the summer, we line dry them.” And how do the babies feel about it? Well, according to the smile on Katherine Feagan one morning, she is one happy and fashionable 6-month old. She spends her days rolling around the floor, smiling up at her mother and just generally remaining in a state of contentment. Her mother, Krista is obviously, as all new mothers are, head over heels in love with this new wonder. Katherine’s mom uses cloth diapers during the day, and on occasion, paper at night. She enjoys the variety of diaper wraps and fabric choices that can be coordinated with her daughter’s outfits. These days, choices in cloth diapering are endless: flannel, wool, pull-ups, wrap-arounds, and those are just the covers that enclose the diaper. For the diaper itself, there are pre-folds, flat, contour, fitted and all-in-ones. If you use paper, there is a whole assortment of biodegradable options. Choice seems to be the watch-word in the diapering world these days. Parents have lots of options —disposable, biodegradable disposable, and cloth—and many families choose them all. The Spokane Cloth Diapering Group exists to help you explore your cloth diapering choices. Heinz wants you to know that the group is available to answer any questions about cloth diapering as well as act as a support system for families who just want to gather for play dates and compare notes on what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to cloth diapers. Heinz, who has a 3-year-old daughter and 21-month old son, chose cloth diapers for the cost savings. Before her children were born, and knowing that she was about to become a stay-at-home mom, she did her research. She knew she wanted more than one child and understood there would be advantages to buying cloth diapers and covers that could be used for multiple babies. While she was still working, she started buying up diapers and covers in “chunks.” “First, I bought diapers, and then I started buying several sets of diaper covers in groups. By the time I had my second child, I owned everything I needed and could diaper him for free.” While many families agree that cost savings and environmental issues are the reason for using cloth diapers, it is also evident that there is no stigma in using both cloth and paper depending on situation and convenience. Carol McMurrich, who lives in Northampton, Mass., has always used cloth diapers while only using disposable as a backup for heavy bed wetters or in the case of nighttime rashes. With three children under 6 years old and one more on the way, McMurrich has given this a great deal of thought. “I can’t get over the big fuss people make about what a pain it is to wash diapers. I can hardly think of one parenting thing that is simpler than throwing in an extra load or two of laundry a week when I’m already doing 10 loads.” McMurrich continues, “I never run out of diapers, it’s dirt cheap from the get go and free once you start putting them on a second child.” Research aside, it really comes down to personal preferences and choices, both economically and environmentally. And though there may be no telling which the baby actually prefers, for now, it is clear that it’s up to the parents to decide. Every type of cloth diaper and wrap is available to look at and feel plus information about washing, troubleshooting, etc., plus answers to your questions.