I really, really want to use cloth diapers. I did a rough back-of-the-envelope calculation and estimated we would spend $9000 on disposable diapers over three years. I'm pretty sure I could buy a complete set of the adorable Fuzzibunz diapers for less than $1000, and there's no way we would spend another $8000 on water/electricity/detergent. Frankly, it would be nice to put that money into college funds rather than literally throwing it away. Plus, the idea of disposing human waste into a landfill is abhorrent to me, it really is supposed to go into the sewage system so that it can be properly treated. My husband is revolted by the idea of diapers in general (he has never changed a diaper in his life) so he has no real objections (and is foolishly hoping his no-diaper changing record will remain intact).
Am I crazy to even think of undertaking such an enterprise with triplets?
Not foolish at all! I've never had a child of my own but I was a full time nanny for a baby/toddler whose parents used cloth. IMO it was just as easy/hard as disposables.
ReplyDeleteWith both there is a learning curve to do the right thing for your child(ren)(put them on correctly, get the correct brand, etc), both can leak, both can smell bad. Laundering the cloth diapers wasn't very much harder than doing normal laundry.
I did take disposables with us when we went out but I would imagine as long as you have a dependable waterproof bag to hold the used diaper, it wouldn't be a big deal.
The nanny thing was almost 8 years ago now so I'm positive they have made huge advances in cloth diaper options!
I wish you lots of luck!! :)
It's not remotely foolish. I seriously considered cloth diapers. But my father pays for all our diapers and well... it just didn't happen. (but I did make all my own baby food and I did nurse exclusively, which a lot of triplet moms don't do). I know several triplet moms who use cloth diapers, so you won't be the only one.
ReplyDeleteDo remember that you'll spend an initial $1000 on the Fuzzibunz - but you'll have replacement costs, and they'll outgrow them and need more over time. But you'll still end up saving money on the cloth diapers overall. Most people that I know who use cloth diapers DO still use the occasional disposable diaper, but this isn't absolutely necessary.