What're your reasons for using cloth?

[Fern Treacy]

I'm curious about what your primary reason for using cloth nappies is. I discovered cloth nappies WAY before I had even met my husband, let alone got pregnant, when I saw a picture on a blog and decided that they were just incredibly cute. Yes, I know it's a lame reason, but that was the first reason I ever wanted to use MCNs, they just looked so fab and so comfy. The more research I've done since I've been pregnant, discovering the environmental impact, that it's better for the babe and the cost factor has just made it all the more fab.

So I'm curious to know, what was your first reason for deciding to use cloth?

[Lirael]

pity the poll isnt multiple choice....

[ziggie]

pity the poll isnt multiple choice....


Yeah... cost & cuteness for me :thumbsup:

[Percy]

It started off as a cost thing for us. But considering how addictive it can be, im not sure we any better off.

They are just so very cute!:thumbsup:

[Shanaynay]

Because they are so damn funky :D

[jade21887]

I started out as cost, but its definately looks as well for us

[mum2elouise]

It really struck me when i read an article about all the things disposables can do to you bub in the long run:eek: I didn't want any of that happening to my girl... Also the environmental factor - i hate the thought of all those filthy, stinky nappies sitting there for decades, waiting to break down..:barf:

Then of course, i love how cute they are:D The overall cost in the long run is an added bonus:thumbsup:

[FourAngelKisses]

Cost.......would rather one outlay of $40 than a weekly expense of $20+.

[V8]

TBH, i got sick of the smell of our rubbish bins with dirty pooey sposies in it. That was my main reason. Now that i have looked into it more and bought myself some nappies i am excited about the environmental factor, the cost savings, that i can re-use them for my next babies and of course, the cuteness of them!

Especially since 1 disposable nappy takes 75 years to decompose, that just makes me feel ill to the stomach.

[kymmy]

I voted better for bub. Sums it up!

[KarniF00l]

For me it started out to be the cuteness factor and now it's environment and cuteness.

[Fern Treacy]

pity the poll isnt multiple choice....

Ahh, there is a reason behind my madness, I did think about making it public choice, but I really wanted to find out the first thing that really appealed to people, I would tick off every one of the options if it were multiple choice, as would most people here, so I don't think it would have been as conclusive :)

[the_queen]

I chose Cost.

I knew from the day I found out I was pregnant with DS that I'd end up being a single mother (he was 4 months old when I left the husband) and I didn't want to have the expense of sposies. I started building my stash when I was 3 months pregnant. Then after he was about 4 months old, I've started buying bigger sized nappies, a couple at a time. And now he's 8 months, and I have enough bigger and one-sized nappies to last until he's self-toileting. So (even though I'm getting child support at the moment, you never know what the future holds) I will never have to worry about not having enough money for nappies.


Plus, of course, they're so darn GORGEOUS!!!!!! :D

[HoopDeeDoo]

Cost is what really sold me because I have two in nappies and it was costing a fortune to buy sposies, both are heavy wetters (and pooers) and the only nappies that worked reasonably well were huggies. Not the most cost effective nappy. Now I have NO leaks ever compared with blow out nearly everytime with sposies

But they are really easy to use and wash, and they look great

Plus being someone who can sew helps to bring the cost down even more!!! :yes:

[eternalmaternal]

I have to say all of the above. I have always had the guilts about the effect on the environment:o which lead me to ask questions about what was available instead of sposies and tf :yelclap: Yay for mcn! They are so darned cute :smiliedance: and addictive. My original theory on cost savings may not pan out though:laughing: .

[Lunar]

I changed for many reasons...
Cost
environment
Bub was getting bad nappy rash all the time.
They are the main reasons.

I will NEVER go back to disgustables again!

Admittedly I have a pack for dd2 but they are ecobots by baby love, and they are for 'nanna use' (she is yet to feel confidant using MCN)

But DD1 is still in sposies as she is TT and doesn't fit into any of the MCN's I have:no:

But I would have for sure, if I had of known about them, used MCN on her all these years!

[mum2charli]

As it wasn't multiple choice i voted best for bub.

Like Kymmy said, it sums it up!

The cost helps her in the long run because we can provide better for her not forking out for sposies each week, helping the environment ultimatley helps her and her future generations (whoa that's a bit scary thinking about that this early on :eek:)
, they are better for her, I can't stand the thought of putting a disposable on her ever again now!! I love that she isn't touched by unnecessary chemicals anymore and is so comfy :thumbsup:

Of course there is the cute, funky factor!!! And that they are just so much fun with hardly any work!!

Love them! I just wish I knew about them right from the start! :yes:

[jess_live_die]

:thumbsup: i used them with my 1st coz it was cheap and good to the environment :thumbsup:

[waawa]

I don't really have a primary reason for "choosing cloth" as such. For us, cloth was the default - we'd have to have a good reason to choose single-use nappies (SUN), just like we would have to have a good reason to choose disposable clothing or throwaway cutlery. So I guess the internal conversation went a bit like...

- SUN are heaps more expensive. No thanks.
- SUN have bleaches, perfumes, and gels in them that we choose not to expose our kid to constantly for 2-3 years. No thanks.
- SUN use more energy, water, renewable and non-renewable resources, and vastly more domestic solid waste (http://www.rwh.org.au/wellwomens/whic.cfm?doc_id=7691). No thanks.
- SUN cause a baby's genitalia to sit at a higher temperature than they should, 24 hours a day for their infant years. No thanks.
- Chemicals outgassed from SUN have been associated with asthma. Unproven, but given our family history, the possible risk was a small factor in the decision.
- SUN require buying from the shops, dragging home, constant inventory monitoring, and lugging out to the wheelie bin. No thanks.
- Laundry? We're doing heaps already, it's a drop in the ocean. Chucking a nappy in the machine is quicker and easier than wrapping it up and taking it out to the bin. I read a bit about drypailing and simple washing techniques. No particular leaning either way, not a drama.

The decision was pretty much a no-brainer at this point!

And, after we started with cloth and had tried both, for us:
- SUN gave the lad a hideous, blistering rash. No way.
- SUN leaked everywhere. Ugh.
_ SUN smelt particularly bad. I'm sensitive to many cheap synthetic perfumes, and in combo with wee or poo they're particularly awful.
- Cloth is softer and comfier than paper and plastic.
- The laundry was even easier than we had thought it would be.
- Cloth became heaps of fun, and plugged me in to a wonderful community of parents who I never would have met otherwise.


Not a difficult decision, here! I have a friend who once said, "I use cloth because I'm cheap and lazy." Gave me a giggle.

Lara

[beeware]

such a comprehensive answer...fantastic

I would have to say environmental reasons. I worry about this world I have brought 3 children into...:gloomy:

The other benefits are a bonus!

[jessgray]

with 2 in nappies i think the cost is helping me convince dp that MCN are the way to:thumbsup:
we average about 40+ a week on sposies:no: it was more when we only would use huggies (dp is a brand snob lol):eek: :laughing:

[Zada]

first it was cos every sposie leaked and i got sick of it, then the cuteness:yes: