Freedom In Cloth Diapering

Every 4th of July we celebrate our freedom as a nation. However, freedom comes in many different forms. I am here to discuss personal freedom and its relationship to cloth diapering: how using cloth diapers can be a freeing experience, and how to maintain your freedom from cloth diapers.

Cloth diapers have provided me with freedom in the form of empowerment. I don’t know anyone who likes to change a diaper. Nobody cheers or waits in line to wipe butts. Yet the first time I put a cloth diaper on my five month old daughter, I felt happy. I enjoy picking out my next diaper. I love putting something soft on my baby’s bottom. Using cloth has taken a mundane, even dreaded task, and added joy and beauty to my life. Knowing I am doing something good for my child, good for the world and good for my wallet, has provided me with a sense of freedom.

But that’s not the only side to the story. For those of us who have been cloth diapering for a while, we know how un-freeing cloth diapers can feel at times. We need to plan out how many to bring on trips and ensure the laundry is done on time. The laundry in itself can be un-freeing. Whats that smell? Whats that stain? Do I have to spray poop again?

These feelings come occasionally, and although I know that my diapers have been worth every single penny I have spent and every single minute I have washed and dried, take in these few tips to maintain your freedom.

-Let it go. Having a rough day? The diapers can wait. Keep some sposies on hand or extra flour sack towels so if your having a bad day or not feeling well or baby #3 has five teeth coming in at the same time…no need to stress over those diapers. Give yourself some room to breath.

-Go ahead, ruin your diapers. And by this I mean don’t put too much stress on doing everything perfectly (please don’t intentionally ruin your diapers!). I have dried my diapers in the dryer, bleached them, accidentally put in regular detergent, missed that extra dryer sheet left from my laundry, put on non safe creams without liners, etc. While I don’t recommend doing these things all the time, I have “ruined” my diapers many times and mine are still going strong. Keep things simple for yourself, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

-Diapers catch poop. They will stain. They will smell. There are things that can be done to fix stains and smells, but it’s normal to encounter this every so often. There are many resources that give you step by step instructions for when problems arise, so take a deep breath, take a break with sposies if you need it, and tackle the issues when your ready. Or, when it comes to stains, go back to my first piece of advice and let it go! As long as your diapers are clean, no one is going to care about a few dark splotches.

Freedom with diapers is easy! Cloth diapers free you from the mundane and necessary task of changing diapers by bringing a hint of beauty and the good feelings that come with knowing you are doing something wonderful for your baby, your world and your wallet. There is also freedom in knowing that you can take a break, you can make mistakes and you can deal with stinks and stains…in your own time. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Bio: Carrie Long - Wife and mother of two beautiful girls and one angel. Occasional speech language pathologist and animal rescue enthusiast.


Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us