Seeing my boy’s cute butt snug in a cloth diaper is reason enough for me to continue cloth diapering 
Isn’t using cloth diapers troublesome and inconvenient? Don’t cloth diapers take up a lot of time to handle and aren’t they a chore to wash? What about the POOP???! Eeew… What the heck should I do with the POOP!!??
These might be some questions running through many mother’s heads when they first heard about cloth diapering. Today, we are so used to everyone around us using disposable diapers. It is not so common to know mothers who cloth diaper. Also, many of us even started off with disposable diapers before learning about cloth diapers. The transition from the convenience of disposable products to the more “challenging” reusable cloth diapers might put off mothers to use them, or some even give up after some time. However, I’m here to assure you that with more awareness about how easy it is to use cloth diapers these days (plus they’re cuter too!), how they are affordable and money saving in the long run, how much better they are for your baby’s health and also to the environment, more mothers are choosing to use cloth diaper entirely. Hooray to that!
However, (as much as I would like to say cloth diapering is easy-peasy) using cloth diapers in the very beginning might not be so easy, and they might require some modifications to your daily routine or lifestyle, and some preparations or things to look forward to. Here are some things that you have to take into account, based on my personal experience.
CLOTH DIAPERING IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE…
(at least not until you know how to deal with the problems 
)
- More laundry: Since cloth diapers are reusable, you will need to be prepared to wash them at least every 2 days. Washing cloth diapers is simple though, just wash them in the washing machine with the rest of baby’s laundry (make sure you use the right detergent!) Yes, you might have to handle more teeny weeny baby things to hang dry, sort and fold later on, but it’s thereapeutic for me to do so . To learn about how I wash my cloth diapers, go here.
- More encounters with baby’s “organic matter”: If you were used to simply scrunching up a soiled disposable diaper and dumping them in the dustbin, the thought that you have to deal with your baby’s pee and poop if you use cloth diapers might be scary. However, if you line cloth diapers with nappy liners (either disposables/reusable), they make it much much easier for washing up later. And trust me, sometimes it’s important to monitor what sort of stuff comes out of your baby as a health check
- Cloth Diapers need extra loving care: You’ve invested in your cloth diaper stash and they’re not (exactly) so cheap. What do you have to do next? Just like how you buy yourselves expensive shoes and handbags, they require special care too, especially if you’re planning to use them for a long time. With cloth diapering, not only do you need to prep wash them before using, you also need to ensure they are properly washed (and with the right detergent), and once in a while you might need to strip wash them too. Check out more cloth diaper care tips here.
- Your cloth diapers might leak: “Oh no…..! I thought these diapers are supposed to keep messes in and there’ll be no leakage!! But why is my bed/sofa/lap wet now??!!” Relax… You might encounter this problem occasionally, and it’s perfectly normal. There are various reasons why they might leak, and for a complete post on this go here. Oh, but for your information, if you use cloth diapers (especially on newborns with expolosive, runny poop), poop blow outs RARELY happen!
- Difficulties in converting other caregivers to use them: In the beginning, the husband, grandparents, babysitters or daycare people might not encourage or approve too much of using cloth diapers. So what? It’s YOUR baby, and you know you’re doing so for the best, so don’t let others influence your decision. Be firm, patient, and lead by example, and soon they’ll understand why cloth diapers are really better than disposables!
These are some problems that you might encounter when you (begin to) cloth diaper. However, with a little practice and patience, your cloth diapering journey will be much smoother along the way. Don’t believe me? I had problems too myself when I started (My 10 Problems in Cloth Diapering a Newborn), and look at me now – a happy Cloth Diaper Mom (with a happy Cloth Diapered Baby too ) Good luck in your cloth diapering adventure!
NEED YOUR FEEDBACK: What were your problems when you started cloth diapering? Do you still have the same problems today?
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7 Comments: Trackback URL | Comments RSS
September 6th, 2010 at 7:05 am
When I first started cloth diapering, the initial problem was juggling with a young baby and lots of laundry. My hubby was completely overwhelmed but with time, he has learned to appreciate the beauty of cloth diapering. Besides that, cleaning poop mess on cloth diaper was a yucky affair but then again, it’s the same for conventional cloth napkin.
Not to forget, forking out money to build up my CD stash was painful to the wallet at the beginning but right now, it’s worth every penny!
September 8th, 2010 at 11:20 am
I’ve been meaning to ask you this – how to strip wash? what is strip washing anyway?
I must admit that i haven’t converted fully to CD-ing. My #1 problem with CDs is that they leaked (even after just 2hrs of use, with 2 inserts, at tightest fit)! Any brand for that matter, including the imported from USA’s. I have bought 6-8 CDs of different brands now (CD buying can really be addictive!!) and I do have certain favorites, despite the leakage. I’m afraid it’s still sposies for me during outings and bedtime.
Plus, my mom and hubby are not really supportive of CD-ing, unfortunately… my mom thinks it will aggravate my baby’s eczema, despite me explaining to her that the paed’s even said CD is better! It’s a case of “Mom knows best, Mom is always right!” – in this case, my mom, the grandma! hahaha… oh well, that is not a deterrent for me to continue CD-ing. Part time CD-ing is still better than full time sposies. Gonna try out the eco-friendly disposable diapers next, i.e. Seventh Generation, in hoping to alleviate my guilty feeling.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Aida, I think the most important thing is you know what’s best for your baby! I feel you have to insist on the things that you feel is important for your own child, and it’s up to you how you convince or educate people around about your parenting choices. Yes, I understand that it’s difficult, especially with your own mother… But sometimes just bite your tongue and do it your way to reinforce the idea (Works for me after some time)
About strip washing, it is actually a washing process to remove any mineral/detergent that has built up inside the diapers. If you notice the diapers are not absorbing as good as they were before, probably it’s time to strip wash. There are various ways to do this, and I have yet to write a specific post about this, probably you can search the internet for some ideas or use this as a resource: http://www.everythingbabything.com/readingroom/cd/stripping-your-diapers
However, please make sure that build up really is the problem! Because leaking CDs can be caused by other problems too
Have you read this post? http://clothdiapermalaysia.com/2010/06/10-reasons-why-cloth-diapers-leak/
September 20th, 2010 at 10:37 am
On the contrary i found my initial cloth diapering journey very much easier than my previous lampin practice. Imagine washing & drying & folding 30 lampins daily!! Once i started using my initial batch of CDs, i found it such a relief not to hv so many pieces of cloths to deal with! Also i could stop using disposables for nite use, and use the fund for CDs. Poops were never an issue as ive always used liners.
November 13th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Hi, just to let you know I’ve linked to this post here http://clothnappiesarefun.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenges-of-using-cloth-nappies.html
November 15th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Farhana, i think not many moms knew that they cannot simply used any washing powder/liquid to wash their cd. Majority in the market contains those enzymes, bleach & such & it could be a contributing factor, their cd leak. I’ve been meaning to ask few friends who just started cd-ing whether they aware or not that it is a must to used cd-friendly when washing.
That’s what i heard some give up when keep encountered leak. It could be no prep-wash, wrong sizing as well.
January 13th, 2011 at 12:40 am
The POOP belongs in the balcony, OUTSIDE the living area of the house, rule nr.1 after not leaving the gas turned on