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21 Weeks Pregnant

You are twenty-one weeks pregnant now. Even though you still have a while before your baby arrives, you may be thinking about what type of diapers to use on your baby. You may be thinking about using cloth diapers or just planning on using disposables. Cloth diapers are actually very popular and a lot of women are choosing to use cloths to put on their babies bottoms. How much work is there to using cloth diapers? And aren’t they inconvenient? In this week’s newsletter we are going to give you some information on cloth diapers and tell you what you will need to know if you choose to use cloths instead of disposables. We are also going to tell you some of the advantages and disadvantages of either diapering choice.

What is going on with mom & baby

Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 19 cm. Your baby weighs about 350-425 grams. Your baby’s eye lashes and eye brows are growing now. You may notice your baby kicks more often during certain times of day. When you don’t feel her moving around she may be napping.

Mom: You may be wanting to get more prepared for your new baby. You may be getting excited and anxious to have your baby’s nursery ready. You have probably gained about ten or fifteen pounds by now and most people can probably tell that you are pregnant now.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

		If you are planning to use cloth diapers, purchase a starter set of cloth diapers.
		Paint or wallpaper your baby’s nursery.
		Set up the baby’s crib.
		Purchase any nursery accessories you would like such as lamps or switch plate covers.
		Review the signs and symptoms of preterm labor.
		Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pros and Cons of Cloth Diapering

Pros

Cloth diapers are more economical. Once you purchase cloths you can use them again with future children.
Cloth diapers are better for the environment. (This is a topic for debate but they do not contribute to filling up landfills, etc)
Cloth diapers may aid in potty training as babies recognize wetness easier in cloths.
Less diaper rash. Babies that use cloths are less likely to have problems with diaper rash. (If your baby has a diaper rash from wearing cloths it may be because of the detergent you are using to wash the diapers and not the diapers themselves)
You don’t have to worry about running to the store every time you get low on diapers.

Cons

Cloth diapers need to be changed more frequently. Disposables are very absorbent. However with disposables, baby may end up sitting in a wet diaper longer because mom can’t tell that the diaper is wet.
It may be harder to travel places with cloth diapers.
It may be less convenient because you have to wash diapers regularly.
Cloth diapers are more likely to leak than disposables.

Cloth Diapering 101 - What You Need to Know

What kind of cloth diapers to buy?

There are so many different styles of diapers and which kind you buy may be more of a personal preference. When making your decision you may want to factor in price and convenience. You can purchase flat diapers, prefolded diapers, fitted diapers or diapers that have everything in one.

Flat diapers are basically the old fashioned diapers that you probably think of when you think of cloths. They are a flat diaper and require you to fold them and fasten them with a diaper pin or other type of fastener.
Prefolds are already folded and just require fastening.
Fitted diapers are shaped with elastic around the legs to fit more snugly around the legs. They normally come with a built in fastener. (Flat diapers, prefolds, and fitted diapers require a plastic pair of pants or diaper cover to keep clothing from getting wet.)
The all in one diapers have everything built into one diaper and are the most convenient but they are also the most expensive.

How to wash cloths?

All you need is a plastic bucket to toss your diapers into. You can simply shake any dirty diapers into the toilet and toss your diapers into a plastic pail. (You can also purchase throw away liners to put inside your diaper to keep them from getting stained and make clean up easier.) When the pail is full throw everything into the laundry. You will want to run your diapers through two cycles to get them clean. The first cycle you can run on cold wash and cold rinse. The second cycle run through a hot wash and cold rinse. You will want to use a detergent that is free of dyes and perfumes. You may be tempted to use bleach on your diapers but this is not a good idea. The bleach may irritate your baby’s skin causing diaper rash. Bleach will also eat away the fibers in your diapers and ruin them in a matter of time.

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21 Weeks Pregnant

What is going on with mom & baby

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

Pros and Cons of Cloth Diapering