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| Yes | 72% | 96 votes | Total: 133 votes | |
| No | 28% | 37 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThe holidays are a busy time. No one is denying that you will be visiting relatives, having relatives visit you, and that chaos will reign. However, this change in the pace of life shouldn't change the diapering system you've chosen to go with. Here are a few reasons why:
1) The reasons you chose cloth to begin with!
It's almost certain that your initial reasons for choosing cloth haven't changed. You still care about the environment, you still enjoy saving money, etc. Don't let a busy season throw you off!
2) Money is even MORE important during the holidays!
When you're having big family meals, parties, and of course buying presents, you need more money than ever. Why would you spend some of your hard-earned money on disposable diapers when continuing with cloth is basically FREE? You already have the diapers!
3) Continuing your existing routine is EASIER
Why change up the routine now? If you go with disposables you'd have to find a new way to get rid of them (a new diaper pail, plastic bags to wrap them in, etc.) - especially tricky if you're staying with relatives who don't have kids. You'd have to put your cloth away for awhile to make room at your changing station for the disposables, and where are you going to store it when you're not using it? If you wash your own cloth you're still just tossing them in the washer and dryer a couple times a week, which is no big deal. For most people their diaper laundry is the EASIEST of all their laundry - no folding, ironing, etc.
4) Never run out of diapers!
If you buy disposables, there will be a night - probably when you're traveling - that you suddenly realize the baby has had a major blow out and YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MORE DIAPERS! This means a quick run to a store (if one is open!), where you have to pay whatever it costs, maybe more than you'd like to spend. If you have cloth, you can improvise with a folded blanket under a cover while you quickly wash the diapers - no need to go anywhere or spend any money!
5) Possible problems for your baby
What if your baby is allergic to the diapers you choose? Or they cause diaper rash? You might have to buy a couple different brands before you find one that works, or, you may find none work! Why take that chance? You may also discover that these diapers LEAK, especially if your baby is a heavy wetter. Chances are you've figured out what combination of cloth and covers keep your baby dry, even all night long. Why let your baby soak throw a diaper, his pajamas his bed, etc.? Then you're actually doing MORE laundry, plus you might be woken up at night if baby is bothered by the wetness. Less sleep is no good for anyone!
6) Cloth on the road is super easy!
All you have to do is take along one bag with your clean supply plus your water-proof wetbag. Throw your dirties into your wetbag and when you get home, dump the whole thing in the washer! Simple!
As you can see, cloth is very easy to continue, even during busy times of the year. I wouldn't recommend BEGINNING cloth during the holidays, but if you are already established, stick with it!
Learn more about this author, Kate Tietje.
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No
The temptation to use disposable diapers during the holidays or when going on vacation is quite strong. Having diapered three of my own children and only having to resort to cloth diapers with my third due to an allergy, I could now be the poster child for cloth diapering! I was turned off to cloth diapering at first, deeming it something that only staunch nature lovers do. I'll admit I called them 'crunchy' or 'granola'. I laughed at my mother, who had to cloth diaper me because of what would end up coming back to haunt me. As it turned out the same allergy that plagued my third-born was what turned my mother into a cloth diaper toting mommy - and trust me - she was FAR from crunchy OR granola.
Obviously the first reason, for me at least, to continue cloth diapering whether you're going away for the holidays or going to the moon for an extended space vacation, is the comfort of your baby. If your baby is allergic to disposable diapers this is a no-brainer. But even if they aren't allergic it's very possible they will have a reaction to being diapered in the commercial plastics and the highly absorbent and mystical jelly that fills all disposable diapers. Baby's skin is very delicate and any major change in care can, and often will, result in near-disaster. On a normal day you try to thwart these dangers - do you really want to tempt the fates far from home?
A lot of moms think it's just plain easier to switch over to disposables if they're going to be at a hotel or visiting relatives. They don't want to be saddled with a bag of stinky diapers, and honestly - who would? There are a few tricks to getting out of this dirty duty. If you're staying at a hotel for the holidays find one that either has a washer and dryer in your room (they do exist!) or one that at least has laundry facilities on the premises. You'll just have to take time out of one of your busy days of defending your parenting techniques to your mother-in-law to wash up some diapers. If you're visiting your own mother she'll not only let you wash the diapers in her washer but will probably do it for you. Planning at least one washing day during your trip all but eliminates the danger of running out of diapers.
Another trick to dealing with the stench is diaper liners. You can buy them or make your own. Purchased diaper liners are inexpensive and usually made out of a biodegradable material so that you can flush them down the toilet with the rest of the unsavory contents of baby's diaper. Homemade diaper liners can be made out of practically ANYTHING, from old sheets to that ugly cheap material the fabric stores are begging to get rid of. Cut out the a rectangle of the fabric with pinking shears to prevent too much fraying and place it between the diaper and baby's bottom. If they poop - toss it. If they pee, stick it in with the rest of your wet diapers and wash it for future use until it either gets pooped on or frays itself into oblivion. Absorb the ammonia-like smell from the wet diapers the same way you clear that funky onion smell from your refrigerator - add a bit of baking soda.
There are some that use cloth diapers because they truly want to and others that are seemingly forced to, however embrace it and turn into true fans of it. Whether you're a seasoned cloth diaperer facing an upcoming holiday or new to the sport and need some advice on how to handle it you should find comfort in the fact that not only is cloth diapering preferable, but most definitely doable wherever you are!
Learn more about this author, Danielle Friedl.
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