Why use disposables (nappies or diapers)? Since discovering modern cloth I can think of only one reason. For convenience.  All you do is place under baby, wrap tabs around then chuck in bin after it is dirty or wet, after putting solids in toilet where they belong. It is like using plastic plates and cutlery instead of the real thing. I haven't used disposables in a while now - probably 6 months. It is just so much easier for us to use cloth.

I have heard people have some reasons for not using cloth. This article is not about making people feel guilty for choosing not to use cloth. It is a choice and we are lucky that we do have such choices. But must say I have many choices each day with our cute and funky naps! Our bub loves to choose his nappy and then literally jumps into his soft nappies and woollies (covers).

This article is for those who have reasons for not using cloth. I would like to dispel some myths about using cloth while I am here.

• Napisan is expensive

It sure is! And I found it doesn't work that well either. The sun does such a better job, its natural and best of all its free. I avoid chemicals as much as possible especially when it comes to putting it on my bub's skin.

• Soaking in buckets is dangerous

It sure is! When my girl was in cloth as a newborn I thought soaking in buckets wouldn't be a great idea when she would be toddling. Babies can drown in only centrimetres of water. So its great to hear about dry pailing. I just throw the nappies in the bucket after emptying solids in the toilet where they belong.

• We are in a drought in Australia and I don't want to waste water
  

That is a great reason not to use disposables. Most disposables are made right here in Australia using 10 times the amount of water for one disposable than it takes to wash one cloth nappy.  The materails used to make cloth are from countires which have abundance of water to grow crops (organic cotton, bamboo and hemp) We dry pail so we are only using a load of water to wash several nappies every two days.

• Disposables keep babies skin dry

It has something to do with all those chemicals that soak it up which probably dries out bub's skin too. I use natural  materials against bub's skin as that is our preference. But there are other choices such as fleece liners which the moisture goes through away from baby's skin. Also microsuede and microfleece do a great job of this too.

• Disposables don't have to be pinned on

I use fitteds which have snaps. So quite easy. You can also get cloth with velcro which is just as easy as  the tabs on disposables. When I use cloth without closures I use a snappi which is easy to put on and doesn't pri*k my fingers or baby's skin.

• It takes too long to wash, dry and fold reusable nappies. I'd rather spend that time with my child(ren)

I spend about 10-15 minutes a week washing nappies and hanging them on the line (though you could chuck them in a dryer). I have other washing too as we don't wear disposable clothing. Not much folding here as we only use flats occassionally and fitteds most of the time.

• I tried cloth, but my baby has sensitive skin and/or eczema and developed a terrible nappy rash

This may be because of the detergent you are using. I only use a small amount of washing detergent on the nappies - about 1/3 or 1/2 normal detergent will wash them sufficiently, leave less build up and this is less irritating for baby. My eldest son has sufferd from severe eczema so this is an issue. We use sensitive detergent and only a small amount on all clothes and it does make a difference.

• I don't want to use plastic pants that don't breathe

I wouldn't want to wear plastic either. We use wool as it works so well and it breathes. Wool is amazing. Other choices include fleece, and PUL (laminated fabric) These breathe and offer waterproofness.

• You can get leaks in cloth nappies

You can get leaks in disposables too.  We haven't had much problem with cloth. I think its a matter of putting the cloth on properly and having a well fitted cover. When using fitteds and covers you also have a second defence.

• I don't want to have to deal with poo on my nappies

Unfortunately the reality with having children is that they make mess and whether you use disposables, cloth or none at all you are going to have mess at times. We use flushable liners so makes it easy to put the poo where it belongs.

• Whenever I try cloth nappies my baby gets red marks on their legs

The nappy may be on too tight. With fitteds which have elastic in the legs they don't need to be put on tightly. Check the sizing - they may be too small.

• Modern cloth is so expensive

They do seem expensive initially. At about $20(Aus) each you could get half a box of disposables. But in the long run, you are saving thousands  of dollars over the time your baby is in nappies. When you buy disposables you are throwing that money in the bin after every use. Cloth can be washed over and over and I have heard of cloth lasting several children and generations! Hemp especially is very long lasting.

• I am too lazy

Yeah me too! That is why I love cloth so much. It is that easy to use cloth. I wont be going back to a smelly bin - that is the worst part to me about using disposables though there are many other reasons. Please read my other articles on using cloth if you are interested.

(I might add to this!)