Diapers Q&A

Cloth Diapering/Alternative Moms: Did friends and family give you a hard time about your choice to go cloth?

I've always been a little different to the rest of the family. I'm considered the "hippie" of the bunch. And of course everyone has an opinion about my opinions. (Oh she's the one that only likes cage free chicken eggs, and buys eco-friendly paper towels! Weird!) Anyway, I'll be giving birth in October to a little boy. I want to cloth diaper. I have researched the options, I'm going to try a variety of different ones, they are all homemade, well made, and with different materials so I can find the combinations I like the most. I have also bought some 7th generation diapers just in case as backups and I'm pretty prepared I think. Ive spoken with a lot of friends who cloth diaper and the owner of the cloth diapering company has been giving me guidance as well. So of course! The whole world has an opinion about this. My mother in law giggled at me and said "I will buy you some Pampers because you're too lazy to stick with cloth diapering. Its a hassle anyway. It wont last." Then my sister, who lives in another country, spoke my mother and told her I must only use Huggies, Pampers and the other pricey name brands. She also told me I'm being very foolish cloth diapering because my child will just be wet all the time, he will constantly have a diaper rash and he will suffer. She says I need to keep an open mind for my child's sake. Also, countless friends who only use disposables have given me lectures on this. The worst are the ones that don't even have children of their own because I feel they are just being nosy. I have tried to explain that I've researched all of this, that the cloth diapers I will be using are not the big rectangles of white fabric our moms used 30 yrs ago, and I want to at least try it myself before just giving up. Ive also come into question for things like wanting to use organic formula if I cant breastfeed, for wanting to swaddle, for eating organic only while I'm pregnant, and basically all of my "crunchy" ideas. I've been able to take it all in stride thus far but today, I don't know if its the hormones and moodiness or what but I got so upset about it. I felt as though my sister was implying I would be a bad mother if I insisted on cloth. I know she meant well but it did get to me. Did any other moms come up against protest from family and friends for your choice to cloth diaper or any of the "different" choices you make in life? How did you deal with this without letting it upset you?

Public Comments

1. I know when it comes to being a new mom it is hard to take what people say. I think that you got to do what you think is right. I ate a lot of organic food when I was pregnant and people thought I was weird. If they don't like it then they should keep their mouths shut(in my opinion).
2. My family pretty much just stayed out of it, with the occasional glare like I was a wierdo. But I've had some friends react by saying things like, and I quote "Do you still have to use diaper pens like back in the day? If so isn't there a risk of her getting poked? The person above me (this was a comment on myspace) said you only have to wash them every other day, that sounds kind of gross just letting poop and pee sit for hours and hours." Basically, it comes down to people just generally not being educated on the subject. Like what you said about someone saying cloth diapered children are miserable and have rashes all the time-not true at all. Cloth diapers have way less chemicals in them( you wash them yourself, so you know what is on them!), and are much more breathable. What causes irritation is simple, lack of oxygen to the skin. But then again, why make yourself blue in the face trying to explain something to people who just don't care to understand? If it really bothers you that much, buy or refer to them some reading material on the subject, if not, just let them think your a wierdo. Your child and the earth will love and appreciate it regardless of what they think. ;)
3. I think you really have to stick with your instincts here and just prove them wrong. As you've already read modern cloth diapers are simply not that muchwork - I use Happy Heinies one size diapers and have found them to be excellent! Lovely and soft on baby's bum, no more blow-outs or leaks than disposables and very easy to care for. You just need to take care what type of detergent you use on them to avoid build up which prevents them being properly absorbant. So good luck with your new baby and prove those 'nay-sayers' wrong!
4. I could never use cloth diapers but i would never discourage someone else from doing so. if that is how they feel, tell them they don't have to bother changing the baby's diaper and to leave you the hell alone. this is your decision and your baby. don't let other people make you feel bad about it.