Disposable diapers are expensive, with coupons, without, it doesn't matter AND more importantly, most diapers are not earth friendly products.
It's estimated to take 250 - 500 years for a diaper to decompose (http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php). ONE diaper. Can you imagine just how many your family has sent to the landfill? Can you imagine that multiplied by millions of others? Even if cloth diapering wasn't cheaper in the end would it make it worth it you to save all of this from going to the landfill? No ??. . .
What if I told you that the bleaching agents used to make those diapers bright white was known to cause cancer? What if I told you that this chemical is banned in most other countries, but not the US?
(http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php) Still no?
What if I told you that a similar product to the "super absorber" that keeps your kiddos from springing leaks in those diapers was once used in tampons, until women started turning up with toxic shock syndrome linked to the chemical? How about now? Sound like hogwash and you still aren't convinced?
Ok. Let's say that you have buy one pack of diapers a week per child at $7 per pack. That's a reasonable enough price and let's say you coupon and are able to get Huggies Pure and Natural or Seventh Generation diapers at this price. These are earth friendly(ish) alternatives that don't include the bleach or toxins. You're doing well right? Not really. If your child potty trains at exactly 2 years old, you will have spent $728 on diapers in that two year period. Cloth diapering is MUCH cheaper and there's no running to the store because you didn't realize you were so low on diapers!
There are lots of options for cloth diapering. Some are cheaper than others. The key that I thought made it the best value is to use a diaper with a washable insert (not a disposable one that you'll have to flush and buy more of (g diapers, some fuzzy bunz, etc) and one that is "one size". One size means basically one size fits all. From new born to potty training you are all set with these guys.
I found that YoYoo cloth diapers were exactly what I was looking for. Now, I'm not a spokesperson for them, nor did anyone ask me to write this, but I have to sing their praises. They are one size so they grow with your child. This means that you buy a set of cloth diapers one time and then you never buy diapers again...even for different children! I have the same set that I use on my two year old for my very petite eleven month old. I bought 24 diapers and paid $13.95 per diaper. Totaling $334.80. That's less than HALF what it would cost to diaper one child for two years and I'm diapering both my children with them! They are also very soft and the bamboo material is super absorbent.
Before you ask, I do about a load of laundry a day. If you are a working mom, don't be intimidated by it. Come home and throw the dirty yo yoos in the washer. Hold off on starting the wash until bath time. As soon as bath time is over throw all the last yo yoo in the wash and start your cycle. If you have an HE washer you should have a "sanitize" setting. I use this setting, but I use the same amount of detergent as always. Once the wash finishes throw them in the dryer and honestly, I usually go to bed and grab them in the morning; you could make this part of your morning routine before heading out the door. Let me tell you that I am absolutely certain that the one additional load of laundry I do per day is not even close the additional cost associated with disposable diapers.
Below I've posted some pictures of what they look like and the size comparisons from small to large and some general instructions on care, etc.
This first photo is to show you the yo yoo on it's smallest setting. It is next to a size 2 diaper from 7th Generation. This is the size that my daughter wears, she's very petite and the yo yoos make her bottom look plump, but it's endearing and it's a conversation starter about the importance of cloth diapering.
The next photo shows the yo yoo on the largest setting. My fairly stout two year old does not wear them on this setting. He wears them three snaps in. In the top photo bottom three rows of snaps are being utilized to make the opening for the leg smaller. In the bottom photo all of those snaps are left unsnapped to allow for the Yo Yoo to be it's largest possible size. These diapers truly do grow with your child.
The next photo shows the bamboo INSERT. I say that because it is not a liner that lies on top of the inside of the diaper. It is an insert which makes it a lot more comfortable and absorbent. Every diaper comes with an insert and you can buy more if you'd like.
The next picture shows the insert and where it snaps on the inside of the yo yoo and the pocket in which it slides. This is a handy feature when washing the yo yoo because if you wash them snapped together you won't have to go searching for the insert when you are pulling them from the dryer (or if you line dry - even more eco friendly GO YOU! - you can still leave them snapped together to dry)
As you can see the liner goes inside the Yo Yoo that means yes the waste will be on the yo yoo it's self. If your little one has a poop diaper you'll simply need to dispose of the waste in the toilet before washing it. There's no need to pre-rinse, but if they have a runny stool sometimes I do rinse them with the water hose outside. (Just as an FYI, it is in the instructions on disposable diapers as well that you dispose of solid waste in the toilet before disgarding the diaper...it's true, check it)
I bought the Yo Yoos from Blue Moon Goods. There's much more to learn about them there, she even has a video. I encourage you to find the right cloth diaper for you and go for it! It's so environmentally friendly and great on your wallet in the long run too!
http://bluemoongoods.com/yoyoo_one_size_organic_bamboo_cloth_diaper.htm
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