Choosing Cloth Diapers for your Family-Going Green Giveaway

Sara from Diaper Daisy is back with more info on cloth diapering as well as some goodies for you!

I am so excited to be talking about going green with cloth diapers here on “For the Love of Baby!”  Cloth diapering is a great way to save both the environment and your wallet at the same time.

Yesterday, I wrote a quick overview of all of the different types of cloth diapers.  After looking through all of that information, many parents’ heads are spinning.  I remember thinking, “I just wish I knew the right answer – which are right for our family?”

When making this decision, I urge parents to think about their reasons for cloth diapering and be realistic about their lifestyle.  For parents making this decision for economic reasons, the least expensive of cloth diapers are prefolds.  For less than $250, parents can purchase two dozen each of two different sizes of prefold diapers and multiple covers to last from birth through potty training.  (In comparison, the cost of 18 one-size pocket diapers is around $350, the cost of 18 small and 18 medium AIO diapers is around $700, and the cost of disposables can reach upwards of $2500 or more!)

I think lifestyle is honestly the most important factor in determining which type of diaper will work best for you.  Look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of diaper above.  Which do you think will work best with your life?  Think about these things:

• Do you prefer convenience, or will your child be cared for by others who need convenience?  Then at least some all-in-one diapers are a good option.

• Do you want to easily be able to change the absorbency of your cloth diapers?  Pockets are easiest for that and are a good choice.

• Do you want to forgo convenience for the biggest cost savings?  Prefolds and flats fit the bill.

• Are you looking for the trimmest fit?  Fitted diapers and AIOs have what you are looking for.

Do you need to choose just one type of diaper?  No!   You can choose different types of diapers to use at different times of day or in different situations.  You can definitely choose prefolds to use at home and add a few all-in-ones to use out and about.  You can use fitted diapers during the day and pockets at night to make it easier to adjust the absorbency.

Is your head still spinning?  You may want to consider setting up a cloth diaper trial with a store like Diaper Daisy.  For a small deposit, you can try out many different types of diapers for a few weeks.  There are even some stores where you can set up a custom trial, consisting of the specific types of diapers you are interested in.  You usually have the chance to keep some or all of the diapers at a great cost savings.

Overall, just keep in mind that there is no wrong way to cloth diaper.  Choosing diapers at the beginning can actually be the most difficult part, but it is so great to know there is no wrong answer.  That is the fun of it – you can find what works for you and your family.  Happy diapering!

Are you ready to shop?

Sara is offering For The Love of Baby! readers 10% Off ANY ORDER from Diaper Daisy through the end of July. At checkout, just use coupon code-LOVEOFBABY.

NOW ARE YOU READY TO WIN?

Sara is also offering one lucky reader of For The Love of Baby! a $25 Gift Certificate to Diaper Daisy.

Mandatory Entry

1.Check out Diaper Daisy and let me know what you would purchase with your win.

Additional Entries (The Above Must Be Completed First)

1. Follow @DiaperDaisy on Twitter and Tweet this Giveaway. You MUST leave a comment with the link to your status. Once per day

2. Become a fan of Diaper Daisy on Facebook

3. Check out Sara’s post that breaks down EVERY type of Cloth diaper. Leave a VALID comment on the post discussing cloth diapers or any question you might have.

4.Blog about this giveaway linking back to Diaper Daisy and For The Love of Baby! Five Additional Entries

Contest will End July 31, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST. Winner will have 48 hours from the time contacted to claim prize or another winner will be selected.