Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers

This week I have been reading about cloth diapers and watching a lot of youtube videos. It is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be as there are so many different types and factors to consider. How is a first time mom suppose to choose? Take a look at this list: Prefolds, Flats, Fitteds, Pocket diapers, all-in-one diapers, all-in-two diapers, not to mention the many different brands that carry the same items. There are pins, snappies, velcro, snaps or hooks; and covers which can be made of various materials.  Then you have to think about clean storage, soiled storage, washing, drying and starting all over again.  With the number of diapers a newborn goes through (estimates I've read include 10-15 diapers every 24 hours!). It's no wonder so many choose disposable diapers and call it a day. But then I think about this statistic from Time Magazine: An estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used each year in the US, resulting in a possible 3.4 million tons of used diapers adding to landfills each year.

Cost: Although it will initially cost more to get set up with a cloth diaper system, it should save a couple thousand dollars in the long run, minus all the labor involved in cleaning and maintaining the stash. Unless, we go with a cloth diaper service, which could cost about $80 a month, but they do all the work and I've read it uses less water for them to wash the diapers than for us to.

Health: I like the idea of putting a piece cloth made from bamboo, hemp or cotton on my babies bottom instead of a bunch of synthetics and chemicals. Some statistics show that cloth causes fewer diaper rashes than disposables too. I like the sound of that. Also, less poop for the landfill and more being properly disposed of and treated at wastewater plants.

Convenience: If we do decide to go with cloth diapers, we will most likely still use disposables initially, or when we're out and about, out of town, or when we're just feeling lazy. It just seems so much more convenient.

I'm also tempted to try and make my own cloth diapers to save some money. There are a bunch of templates online, ranging from very simple to fairly complicated (for a novice like me). I just don't know that I should attempt making any quite yet. I may need to experience a few messy diapers first. Then all my ideas about what I think I want to do, might just go down the toilet.