Life and diapers

First, an update about life…

My  last update was almost 2 months ago.  Since then (I think anyways), Tristan has now learned to roll over in one direction (from tummy to back), and has almost learned the other direction. If it weren’t for those pesky arms, he’d get it lol.  He has also learned to be a little ticklish, and he is learning right now how to sit and how to push himself all the way up from a mini-pushup.  It’s hard to imagine the progress he has made since birth.  Not to mention all the other small things he does that brings joy to all of our lives.  He is incredible clingy and hate when I leave him somewhere… including just to use the bathroom.  I don’t really mind the clingy aspect though… I actually find it pretty sweet.

That’s what’s up with Tristan these days.  Mostly getting to spend time with mommy at home.  It’s a nice treat for both of us.  Since the last post, my semester has come to an end… with straight A’s again I might add.  You know, it wasn’t the easier, but it also wasn’t my hardest semester academically.  I think the hard part was just time management since Tristan takes almost all of my time.  I am also doing summer school soon, which at least is online.  I admit I am getting tired of driving all the time.  It is worth it though.  When Chris’s mom can’t watch Tristan, at least I always know he is well cared for my mom or sister.  I also prefer actually knowing those who will be caring for my child.  Daycares… you only know so much about the person watching your baby.  It makes me nervous.  Plus, they aren’t always ok with using cloth diapers…which broaches my next topic..

I read Mothering magazine (let me just say I’m not normally a magazine reader), and they had an interesting article about the benefits of cloth diapering.  It used to be the norm first of all.  Disposable diapers really didn’t gain huge popularity until the 70′s or so.  We all also know that it is more “green” to go cloth…less waste, disposable don’t break down… also not reliant on the oil industry.. etc.  Well it also turns out that disposables also are linked to breathing disorders – such as asthma.  They leach out chemical which the baby breaths and thus can give lung problems.  I admit it didn’t cross my mind.  In addition, although diaper companies like to say that they help find diaper rash… let me tell you that it’s all lies.  Apparently, some of these chemicals can also help cause terrible rashes on babies.  Now, let me also say that my little boy has never had bad diaper rash.  Sure, ever once in a while he looks a touch red, and so I let him air out a bit for comfort… and put a little cream on him.  No prob… gone within 24 hours usually.  That’s not bad right?  Well here is another troubling thing about diaper companies.  They will NOT disclose what the ingredients are in the diapers.  Period.  Now, I don’t know about you… but I would like to know exactly what was touching the genitals of my child.  That’s a rather sensitive area if you ask me.  Oh, and you know why diapers smell nice right?  The scent them as to hide the chemical smells… not for just when your baby takes a big one.  That’s scary to me.  I personally am in no rush to go put random chemicals on sensitive areas of my body… so why my baby?  Oh, and for those of you who have toddlers.  The absorbent  ”Crystals” they have in them… that often burst out of a too full diaper and then get all over the baby.. are poisonous if ingested.  Just a little FYI for you.  Let’s face it too, some toddlers don’t always know better NOT to eat that stuff.  Let alone your pets.

So don’t always trust advertisements… they aren’t looking out for the well being of your family.  They are looking at what’s in your bank…and also “banking” on your laziness.

For those of you who might be curious about the hassle of cloth diapers… anymore there really isn’t much.  There are many all in one diapering systems out there.  You don’t have to pre-fold them or anything.  You just grab a liner and shove it in the outer diaper shell (which is water proof, so no plastic pants or anything).  As far as clean up.. it’s not too hard.  You just take out the liner from the shell and put both in the diaper bag.  If is a dirty one, you can get a sprayer so you don’t really have to even touch the poo at all.  You just spray it off and then put the outer shell and the liner in the bag.  No worries.  Then when you run low on diapers, you just have to wash them in your washer.

I prefer this to having to run out to the store and spend a ridiculous amount of money on diapers.  By choosing to cloth diaper my child, I am more green, save money, reduce diaper rash, keep chemicals off and out of my son, and I can choose diapers that are super cute and match the colors of his outfits.  How is this not a win?  Cloth diapering has changed ALOT in the past 50 years.  People should really look back into it.