by Kris Mery

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2009

I am not going to sit here and say there is really one right answer to the question of which type of diapers to use during the holidays. What works for one family very well may not work for another. When it comes down to it, you have to be the one to sit down and weigh the facts of which route is best for you and your individual family.

However, that being said, I do not believe that the holidays are a reason in and of themselves to switch to disposable diapers. Yes we tend to be out more during the holidays. Yes there will be less time. But do these factors really mean much in the long run?

So we spend more time out and about? I can't speak for every cloth diapering family, especially since there are families that only use cloth part time, but we own a wet bag. I have never had problems changing cloth diapers while out and about at any other time and don't expect the holidays to be any different. This was tested and proved last year.

Time may be a huge factor in your decision. This is one that I can completely understand. It is very true that we may have a lot less time to wash diapers during the holidays. That being said, I haven't noticed a problem with that either. Personally I don't wash diapers every day. At the most I wash every other day, but usually every three. Yes, it takes a little more time than regular laundry with the extra rinses and such, but not much extra. At the most I may schedule my wash around what's going on this year, but I'm doubting I will even have to do that.

Now, are there any reasons that using cloth might be a better idea than disposables during the holidays? I can't help but think that yes there are several good reasons to stick with cloth. For one there are the same reasons we use cloth to begin with. And beyond that is simply the cost.

There are many reasons to use cloth diapers. There are almost as many reasons as there are families that choose to go this route. Unless you are a part time cloth diapering family, it seems to me that these reasons should still hold during the holidays. Part time cloth users are perfectly ok with their child using a disposable, despite the other factors. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that... But for full time users this is a bigger decision. Do you want your child exposed to the chemicals you usually avoid? Will you pay more to buy disposables that are free of some of those chemicals? Are you ok with putting diapers in a landfill or will you buy other specialty disposables? Are your kids allergic? Ok, this is one case I will absolutely say stick with cloth! I could go on, but basically there are a lot of factors to consider. If you are ok with this short break, that's great... but not something to decide quickly.

I'm putting money seperately from the last reason despite knowing full well that it can be a reason to use cloth all on its own, honestly it is one of my major reasons for cloth diapering. The reason I believe it stands alone is because we are talking about the holiday season. We are already shelling out, or at least most of us are, a good chunk of money for gifts, food, decorations, etc. Many people actually go into debt during the holidays. Is buying disposables really an option, or even desirable, when you take this into account?

Is this an easy decision? For some of us yes it is... I know I will have no issue continuing with my cloth throughout the holiday season. For others it may sound like disposables would be the answer. If you fall into this latter group I suggest thinking about all the above mentioned points before choosing either way. I certainly believe cloth is a viable option if not better in some cases.

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