Ode to the Dirty Diaper

on the art of cloth diapering

15 steps to cloth diapers
1. I organize/put together my diapers straight from the dryer,
so the baby doesn't have to wait with naked behind
when the time has come, as it does, a dozen times a day,
this includes: cloth diaper, soaker, diaper cover,
also butt balm, baby washcloths (I don't use wet wipes)
2. About every hour or so, ask baby, "Are you ready for a diaper change?" or
tell baby, "It's time to change your diaper."  Sometimes she is not ready,
and I have found this means 1 of 2 things, either she is going to
pee or poo on me or she has an air bubble in her tummy
3. When and if she is ready, she will happily help, first wet a baby washcloth
with warm water (baby doesn't like a cold damp wipe, would you?)
4. Remove dirty diaper, O so carefully and skillfully, if the soiled object
is #2, remove the rest of clothes (quite often), O so carefully and skillfully
5.  Discard peepees in one bucket, poopoos in another
6.  Meanwhile, baby babbling or gumming fingers, with legs up in the air
patiently waiting, or trying to hold head up (honey, you don't need to do that)
7.  Clean said baby with wet warm cloth (which has cooled a bit)
and dry with second cloth, cover whole area with butt balm, I prefer Burt's Bees,
It's the Best! - that bum has never had a rash!
8.  Fasten cloth diaper and cover, snug but not tight, just right
9.  Clothes back on, talking to babe all the while, "First we snap your onesie,
1, 2, 3, then we put on pants, pantalones, one foot, two feet...." and so on...
10.  Now baby is dressed, but what about the mess?
11.  When buckets of diapers are full, to the laundry room go
12.  Poopoos go first and are pre-washed with natural, non-scented
baby detergent, vinegar (for smell) and baking soda (for stains)
13.  Remember to close velcro tabs!
14.  When pre-wash complete, peepees are added and more detergent
(add essentail oil if you want them smelling sweet), repeat step #13,
wash has begun & then on to dryer they go (no dryer sheets please!) -
every few washes, instead of the dryer, dry in the sun to remove stains
15.  Brings you back to step one...

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

What a good, make that GREAT, mother you are. Few would choose the old-fashioned and laborious method that you so lovingly employ. I'm old enough to remember when there were no disposable diapers or clean-up washy-thingys in a box. I tell you for sure, there aren't a lot of mothers these days that would do what you do.

[Nimbus Thread]

You deserve a 200 (at the least) for making this loving effort. I remember my mom telling me how she hand washed our stuff, she never regretted it. I'm sure you'll both look back on these days with great fondness.

[Invisible Ink]

Thank you Sam! I'll tell you though, I don't think I could do it if I weren't able to stay home, I can't imagine working a full time job too! In fact, I wouldn't have a baby until/unless I could be home. My husband works a lot so we can do this, and we keep a tight budget... no Christmas presents this year, but it is worth it! Luckily we were raised with little, so we know how to do it, and want to raise our daughter the same... without a lot of material crap!