My sister inlaw called yesterday with potty training and cloth diapering questions. Her little girl isn’t quite two, but she’s really aware of when she’s wet and likes to go potty. They’ve come out with new pull-ups that let kids feel when they’re wet. What? How silly is that. CLOTH DIAPERS FEEL WET and you don’t have to throw them away! I think that cloth diapering really helps with potty training because babies are able to connect the sensation of peeing with being wet. With Brenna, as soon as I switched to cloth diapers (she was almost 2 1/2, Jonah was 4 months old) she was potty trained. Jonah figured it all out right after he was 2– which was great for me because shortly after that Logan was born and I only had one baby in diapers. I love cloth diapering. They seem so much softer and more comfortable that plastic and paper (I mean, I HATE wearing sticky, bunchy, plastic and paper maxi pads just a few days a month), they don’t have the gross chemical mixed with pee smell– or the fake perfume smell, I can customize the absorbency, and I don’t have to spend $50 a month on diapers or step foot in a Wal-mart!
The best place to find cloth diapering supplies is online. I haven’t found any stores with anything worth trying, though Babies R Us may have a few things. So here are some links to help anyone interested in researching and trying cloth diapers:
What I use and love:
Mother Ease Onesize diapers and Air flow covers— I use these almost exclusively now with Logan, and have since he was about 4 months old. And– they fit Jonah if we have an accident and he needs to wear a diaper for a little while. The Airflow covers are the best leak proof cover I have found, and they have cute prints. They are also very reasonably priced. I have one Sandy’s diaper, which is side snapping, and it is easy for Jonah to pull up and down like underwear. I will probably buy more when Logan gets closer to potty training. I like to keep an All in one diaper in the diaper bag for quick changes– no separate cover. They also have training pants that have a waterproof exterior, but aren’t quite as absorbent as a diaper. I haven’t tried them though.
I have a few Wonderoos. They work for Logan now, and I liked them when Jonah was 2, but even though they are a one-sized diaper, I just didn’t have luck with them when Logan was a little baby.
Other good online stores:
Jardine diapers is my favorite online store. I placed my first diaper order there (for flat “prefold” diapers and Pro-Wrap covers. My covers wore out, but I still use the diapers.). She has really good product descriptions and acurate size measurements to help you decide what to buy.
I also like Green Mountain Diapers. They have great customer service and a good variety of products, and send you a nice paper catalog with your order.
Resources:
The Diaper Pin is an online review and forum page and has a log of great, helpful information about cloth diapering and potty learning. What ever you need to know, it’s there.
The Diaper Hyena is similar and fun.
The One Stop Diaper Shop is run by Jessica Wiseman (Very Mom) and her FAQs were the clincher in my conversion to cloth.
There are a lot of Work at Home Moms (WAHMs) who sew and sell coth diapers, and buying from them is a great thing to do– supporting someone so they can stay home with their kids. They are really high quality and lovingly made, not to mention much cuter than anything else you’ll find. Find links and reviews at the Diaper Pin, the Diaper Hyena, or on the advertising links at the Diaper Shop.
Well, I hope this helps someone out there in cyber space! I’ve cloth diapered 2 babies now, and the thought of disposables just grosses me out now. It is definitely worth a try– and if you aren’t in love with it like I am, there is always E-bay!