I live and breathe cloth diapers.  Every day I do work related to promoting and educating others on the benefits of cloth diapers as well as how to use them.  Most of my focus is channeled to the online world and I admittedly do less in my local arena than I should.  I do know a thing or two about being an advocate and I want to share with YOU some advice and hard won lessons about being the best, and most effective, cloth diaper advocate you can be.

Lesson 1:  Know your stats and facts.

When you have an opportunity to bring cloth diapers to a conversation you should be able to answer questions asked by interested parties such as “How many diapers does a baby use in a day/lifetime?”  ”How much money can using cloth diapers save me?”  ”Will my water/electricity bill go up and if so, by how much?”  These are all very common questions and are usually asked so KNOW YOUR ANSWERS.  Visit the RDA’s Real Diaper Facts sheet (there are also ways to print and share these) and learn a few facts that will help you.  You might also read Kelly Wels’ book Changing Diapers, the Hip Mom’s Guide to Cloth Diapers for guides and easy to digest facts about cloth diapers.

Lesson 2:  Know your terminology but don’t overuse it.  

Let’s pretend you just met a new friend who is wildly passionate about  ”String Theory” and one day you unknowingly bring up this topic. Your friend goes on a rant and it goes something like this

Fundamental particles(Not subatomic, as protons are subatomic and made of fundamental particles made of strings but not made of strings themselves) like quarks and electrons are not singular points of no size, but strings which may be open ended or closed looped.

The difference being open ended strings like a rubber band cut into are attached to our Universes membrane and can only travel on it, closed loop strings which we think the graviton would be allows them to travel through the membrane and disperse their force making gravity seem weaker then all the forces because it’s force is spread outside our physical membrane or universe…. (from askscience on reddit.com)

Your response: blank stare.  Same goes for rattling off a paragraph about cloth diapers where you throw in accronyms and terminology that only a seasoned cloth diaperer would understand.  A conversation about cloth diapers when you are trying to advocate for their use should use general terms.  Let’s use an example.  You are explaining modern cloth diapers and their advanced features compared the the older prefolds and flats.

Bad answer:

“Modern cloth diapers utilize a polyurethane laminate that is breathable and waterproof.  The diaper can have absorbent soakers with microfiber inserts, bamboo, hemp, or cotton and these can either be stuffed into the shell, like a pocket diaper, or the layers are sewn down, like an All in One.  Or they can be snapped in or laid into the diaper like an All in Two.  Then there are some diapers that are not waterproof, like prefolds, fitteds, contours, and flats.  Those would need a waterproof cover of PUL, TPU, Wool, or Fleece.  Some diapers have a tongue style insert that is attached at one end or a sleeve style opening that allows it to function and dry like a pocket diaper but the insert agitates out so you never have to unstuff i.  They have options to be closed with snaps or aplix and some have hip snaps to prevent wing droopage.  Some are one size and adjust using a system of slotted leg elastic where the legs are tightened or rise snaps on a 3×3 grid and the rise is snapped over to accommodate a smaller baby and still get large enough for a toddler…..” and so on.

Better answer:

“Modern cloth diapers don’t need pins to close and have a waterproof layer built in so they don’t need a cover.  Most types go on easy just like a disposable.  Some diapers come in sizes and some have an adjustable size that allow them to fit a birth to potty training.”

Over simplistic?  Absolutely.  Leaving out many types of cloth diapers?  Yep.  But with time you, or the interested parent, can dive more in depth into the cloth diaper seas.  Or they will simply choose a set of cloth diapers and use them without ever researching anything else.  That is fine too.

Leson 3:  There are no stupid questions. 

We all have to start somewhere.  None of us began cloth diapering as experts.  The phenomenon of enveloping yourself into a world, in this case, the cloth diaper community, will make you forget that you once had no idea what a “Pocket Diaper” is.  When a potential cloth diaper user asks a seemingly “ignorant” or “newb” question it is your responsibility to answer with humility and respect.  Even if the question is “So you mean you don’t throw a cloth diaper away?  You wash it and reuse it?” you simply answer with no judgement or sarcasm.

“There is no such thing as a stupid question. Many people say that, but it really is true. Every question, no matter how ill-formed or ignorant of knowledge, is a request for knowledge, a request for information. It is an effort to understand better. Every time someone asks an honest question, it is an interrogation of nature, an attempt to unlock the secrets of the universe.” -Carl Sagan

Lesson 4:  Don’t take an “all or nothing.” approach.

I might lose some people on this one but the way I feel about advocacy for any cause is simple: don’t expect to win anyone over as a zealot who is preaching “all or nothing.”  If you want to woo someone over to trying cloth diapers you have to expect that they might not have the desire or means to use cloth every minute of every day.  In my mind getting people to use cloth some of the time is better than none (see Change3Things for an example of advocacy in small steps).  If they choose ALL of the time then that is even better.  Even just saying “You can begin at your own pace and start with a few diapers, only use diapers at home, etc…” can be enough to convince someone to try.  The perception is that cloth diaper advocates are a shrewd group of militant mothers who would spit on the face of anyone who chooses to use a disposable diaper when on vacation or out of the home.  Life is what it is and you have no idea where others are coming from.  Your situation (SAHM, WAHM, WOHM, Single parent, rich, poor) differs from theirs.  Your routine, your ideas, your plan, your advice is based on your own experience.  Do the movement a favor: if you are on your high horse about cloth diapering please step down and advocate from an understanding point of view.

Lesson 5: Be a Cloth Diaper Boy Scout: Always Prepared.

My baby starts conversations wherever we go.  Sometimes conversations start because he is wearing one of my “Cloth Diaper Advocacy” t-shirts.  Other times he is riding in my ring sling and I get asked about the sling… then we start talking cloth diapers (I have no idea how that happens *wink*).  For these encounters I keep my business cards (more for the the email in case they want to ask any questions), my App Download cards in case they want to scan the QR code and download my app for research, and I always have clean cloth diapers in my diaper bag for “show and tell” if they are really interested.

Lesson 6:  Be Real About Cloth Diapers.  

There is this strange world on the internet that can make cloth diapers sound like they can do no wrong and that your baby’s poop will smell and look like rainbows as long as it is done in a cloth diaper.  Again, some people might disagree with me on this, but if you are asked about the negative aspect of cloth diapers by all means, please be honest!  By glossing over or completely leaving out information about cloth diapering that might present a challenge down the line (ammonia, repelling, stink come to mind) you could very well be setting the parent up for failure.  I like to know what I’m getting myself into in any situation so that I can better handle the challenge if and when it arises.  Knowing ammonia could occur means the parent will proactively prevent it as much as possible, and seek advice if it happens.  You still want to preach the many, many benefits of using cloth diaper too.  (From experience I can tell you that poop in a cloth diaper still stinks, but it actually does smell less than in a disposable, however the poop has yet to come out looking like rainbows…)

In the spirit of Real Diaper Week 2012 I hope everyone will consider being a compassionate and educated advocate for cloth diapers.  Even just helping one mother switch to cloth diapers can save a potential 5,000 diapers from the landfill and that family up to $2,000!  Go forth and advocate!

This post is part of the Real Diaper Week BlogHop.  You can see the other entries by visiting The Eco Chic and read about more tanglible ways to advocate for cloth diapers in her great post.

What is your personal cloth diaper advocacy philosophy?  Leave a comment!

So begin sharing!  Let’s make this thing go viral!

Oh and…. ahem….. I made it!

Special thanks to everyone I bugged asking for feedback (Lisa from Weehuggers, Heather of the RDA, Kim from Rockin’ Green (who also had her friend make the video intro, that was not me!), Joshua and Colleen from Basic Baby Shop) and my buddy Kristen.  Extra special thanks to my husband for helping me set up the green screen, get the lighting as good as we could using our DIY shop lights, and for taking the hundreds of pictures it took to string together into video.  I hope you love it as much as I do!

Don’t forget to participate in

The Great Cloth Diaper Change!

Some exciting things are happening in cloth diaper advocacy, including The Great Cloth Diaper Change- an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for most cloth diapers changed- Worldwide!

This event is being brought to you by the Real Diaper Association, whose mission is to raise awareness and promote cloth diapers.  I’ve been a proud member of the RDA for over a year now!

No world record can be made without babies and parents!  The Great Cloth Diaper Change is going to have locations all over the world where parents will change their baby’s cloth diaper.  There must be at least 25 babies and moms per location.  This project just got off the ground and it is happening April 23 2011.

If you want to participate, either by becoming an organizer or just bringing your baby to a local event, please go to GreatClothDiaperChange.com.

You will also want to “like” The Great Cloth Diaper Change on Facebook to keep up to date!

As it happens, Basic Baby Shop will be organizing the event for my town and preparations are already underway for a location!  I’m very excited to participate.  Plus, I’m doing a little something on the side to help spread the word worldwide, stay tuned!

In other news, Cotton Babies has launched the Change3Things revolution.

Change 3 Things is an awareness campaign designed to promote the environmental and economical impacts of cloth diapering. Changing three cloth diapers a day is a small change for one family that equals big impact for our planet. Be a part of the cloth diaper revolution.

Our goals:
- 100,000 parents committed to change 3 cloth diapers per day.*
- 30-50 million pounds of prevented landfill waste*
- 100 million disposable diapers not purchased.*
- $24 million of combined savings for participating families**

You can join by “liking” the Change3Things page on Facebook!

In “what are the chances” news,  I made it on the local news!  I was shopping at Jillian’s Drawers, a cloth diaper and natural parenting store in Ithaca NY, and there was a reporter working on a story about local business.  I was interviewed and I had nothing but great things to say about their store and cloth diapers!

Watch my interview- it is short and sweet.  I am the first part so you don’t have to watch too much.

Can you feel the revolution?!

Viva la Cloth!

The Real Diaper Association 100% Reusable Cloth Diapers Photo Contest starts Tuesday, 10/19, so get those cameras ready to catch some cute cloth-diapered bottoms! Prizes include a $150 grand prize from diapershops.com, and $50 gift certificates to Metro Minis and Suburban Treehugger!

Join us for the Twitter Launch party Tuesday evening hosted by The Eco Chic.  You can RSVP and view details on her site. RDA Twitter Party Details

Photos will be due by 11/3/10, submitted on the Real Diaper Association website. Please read the official rules and details here: http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/contest/photoContest.php

Anyone can enter, but you must be an active RDA member to vote. Join here: http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/directory/signup.php

I know I will be entering my little guy or my soon to be other little guy again this year and I hope you will too!  Spread the word for this fun event and great cause!  Now get out your cameras and your flashiest diapers and start snapping pictures!  I can’t wait to see them all!

Believe it or not, cloth diapers are worrying Pampers.  With the recent press on the Dry Max diapers allegedly causing “burn like” rashes or contact dermatitis, their PR people are frantically trying to repair the damage.

One such way they are countering the bad press caused by the Facebook group “Bring back the Old Pampers Cruisers” which is up to 8,300 members and counting, is to publish how cloth diapers are no good!

Obviously my website publishes how disposables, and at times Pampers, are not good for our babies or planet.  I may be biased, but I do that because it is truth to me.  Pampers is trying to save their business, so lets hear them out.  All information was taken from Pamper’s website.

Because it is what I do, I am going to examine their newest attack on cloth diapers to see what is true, false, or in between.

Myth: Cloth diapers are better for my baby.

Fact: Disposable diapers like Pampers were developed to offer babies benefits that cloth diapers could not meet. That goes beyond convenience to helping keep babies’ skin dryer and more comfortable by reducing leaks and locking wetness inside the diaper in a way that cloth doesn’t. As a result, doctors and parents simply don’t see the same level of diaper rash that used to exist before disposable diapers.

Their main argument that disposables are better for babies is that cloth diapers leak and don’t keep babies dry. They are preying on the fact that most parents still don’t know there are modern cloth diapers. Nothing is wrong with using the old style, but for those who want a stay dry liner and the convenience of an easy on/ easy off diaper, cloth diapers offer that as well. And their claim that more rashes existed before disposables is very false. I am working on finding the study (if you have seen it please tell me!) that claims the exact opposite.  As a matter of fact, my son had more leaks with disposables at night than with cloth diapers (during a period when we were working on getting the ammonia out of our diapers he used them for a little while.)  No leaks with cloth, at least 3 nights of waking up soaked with a disposable.  Funny….

Also, these super dry diapers are one of the reasons children are learning to use the potty, later and later.  When at one time babies were learning by 1.5 to 2 years, the average child learns between 3-4 years!  The ultra dry diapers are only one of many reasons for this (a culture shift) but using cloth diapers does contribute to babies potty learning earlier!  I sure hope so at least!

Myth: Cloth diapers are better for the environment than disposables.

Fact: In October 2008, the United Kingdom’s Environment Agency published an update to its 2005 Life Cycle Assessment study on cloth versus disposable diapers. The update confirmed the earlier study’s findings that there is no clear winner in terms of environmental impacts between disposable and cloth diapers in the U.K., once all factors such as water, energy, detergent, and disposal are considered.

I don’t care what way you slice it, there is no way any study (and I find fault with many studies quoted by disposable companies and would love for a true unbiased study comparing cloth and disposables to be performed) will convince me that the sheer amount of waste generated by disposables isn’t worse for the environment than a resuable option.  Pampers, do you wash your clothes and your sheets?  So do I.  So does everyone else.  Adding 3 more loads of laundry a week does add up, but does it override the tons of trash generated by each family in disposable diapers and human waste?  You also neglect to mention that unlike disposables, cloth diapers aren’t just used for one child.  Whether those diapers are used on one or more younger siblings, or given a new life in a new family, they live on for years.

Myth: Developing countries prove that cloth diapers are better than disposable diapers.
Fact: Our product provides key benefits in terms of skin health, dryness, and even sleep. In China, for example, we’ve learned that babies and parents are frequently awakened during the night each time the baby soaks the bed, because the baby has no diaper or a very thin piece of cloth. As a result, studies have shown that a disposable diaper can help a baby there get a better night’s sleep. In another test, we have also seen less fecal contamination spread around the home using disposables versus cloth or nothing.
Clearly, we have a lot to learn about how to help with basic hygiene needs in countries that have very different access to clean water to wash with, and how to best dispose of products after use. We’ve also learned about hygiene for older children through our Always feminine care business – where in many parts of the world girls are forced to miss school one week each month during their period because they don’t have enough pads or fresh water.
We are working in those regions to better understand what they do with products after use, and how to work with local agencies and other businesses to ensure the best long-term system to manage it.

This is probably a nod to defend them marketing cheaper disposables to third world nations that have mostly used cloth.  Are they are also hoping to end the practice Elimination Communication in countries like China?  Just because most Americans can’t fathom their babies never wearing a diaper, other countries only use EC.  And if Pampers thinks the babies are going to the bathroom wherever they please, I am here to tell you that is not the case.  The parents are there to help the babies and catch their eliminations.  Their home isn’t full of baby droppings like a non trained puppy.  It is insulting to insinuate such a thing.  As for sleep, I honestly don’t know how EC families who don’t use diapers handle this until they learn to hold it.  I imagine it would disrupt their sleep but the families are well prepared for this.  Not every baby begins sleeping through the night at 6 weeks like the American ideal.  Many Americans stuff their baby full of thickened formula to get them to sleep longer too, but it doesn’t mean that is right.  Just means people do it.

And I want to quickly address their Always claim.  Pampers cites that girls in third world countries have to miss school because they don’t have access to feminine hygeine products.  Oh, you mean pads that you throw away after each use?  This is simply not true.  Periods are not new, and neither is school.  There are such things as cloth pads.  Or, menstrual cups, which have been distributed to girls in many countries.  And more recent studies do show a decline in attendance during their time of the month, but it wasn’t due to the lack of access to throw away feminine products.  It was due to cramps.

Myth: Disposable diapers are harmful to the environment.
Fact: All of the component materials in Pampers diapers are gentle to consumers and safe for the environment. Pampers diapers are made of materials that are also frequently used in a wide range of other consumer products. We are committed to continuing to reduce our environmental impact. For example, Pampers has decreased its diaper weight by one-third and packaging weight by two-thirds. And innovative technologies, raw materials, and product design improvements have led to significant reductions in energy, water use, emissions, and waste at our plants. We are working so that our diapers in the future will have less impact on the environment than even today’s diapers.

Don’t pee on my head and tell me it’s raining, Pampers.   First, just because other products use materials found in your diapers it doesn’t make it right or safe.  But, if you want to play that card, that statement is lacking the fact that one ingredient (sodium polyacrylate) found in your diapers has been banned from tampons for being linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome.*  On top of that, Dioxin, another chemical in your diapers, is banned in most other countries because it is linked to cancer and is one of the most dangerous chemicals according to the EPA.*  Their new “environmentally friendly” diaper is the one most likely causing the rashes being suffered by thousands of parents.  Is it because there is less paper filler, and less material between the baby and the chemicals?  And only when they create a new product do they acknowledge the impact on the environment of their old diapers.

Myth: The materials that make up Pampers diapers are depleting our forests.

Fact: The pulp used in our diapers comes from well-managed forests in North America. In some cases, we source our pulp from scrap wood chips from lumber and saw mills. Our pulp suppliers are required to be certified by an independent third party as practicing sustainable forestry. Certification includes standards and criteria for replanting trees, protecting biodiversity, water, air and soil, and for obtaining broad stakeholder input into the forest management plan.

We live in a disposable world.  We use forests to make toilet paper, paper plates, disposable diapers, etc.  I can’t claim to have never used these products.  I will say that though cloth diapers do use resources on our planet as well, many use more renewable materials such as bamboo and hemp.  Not to mention most of the diapers that use cotton choose to use organic cotton.  If your claims are true, that is great.  But it doesn’t make up for the amount of waste put into landfills by your diapers.

*Facts taken from the Real Diaper Association.

The RDA is taking a stand.  If you want to write your own post about Real Diaper myths and facts read this cool info.

This post is part of the Real Diaper Facts carnival hosted by Real Diaper Events, the official blog of the Real Diaper Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cloth diaper education. Participants were asked to write about diaper lies and real diaper facts. See the list at the bottom of this post to read the rest of the carnival entries.

This is an announcement for the #clothdiapers party.  The announcement comes from Eco Mom Media’s website.

Get Real – The Inside Poop on Cloth Diapers
Twitter Party

Date: Earth Day – Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Time: 9:00-10:00 pm ET
Hashtag: #GetRealDiapers
Hosted by: The Real Diaper Association, Bamboo Bums Diapers, Diaper Daisy Modern Cloth Diapers, and The Eco Chic
Follow our hosts on Twitter: @RealDiapers@RDAHeatherMc @BambooBums @DiaperDaisy @TheEcoChic@EcoMomMedia

Sponsors: Diaper Shops, SoftBums Diapers, Sweet Camo Babytique, Global Enfant/Baby BeeHinds, Cutey Baby, Goo Goo Gaia, Bum Essentials, Eden’s Baby, Snooty Booty Diapers, Rockin’ Green Soap, Sugar Dipes, Diaper Lab, and a few more surprise guests!
Follow our sponsors on Twitter: @DiaperShops,  @SoftBumsMama, @SweetCamoBaby, @GlobalEnfant,@CuteyBaby, @GooGooGaia, @BumEssentials, @EdensBaby, @SnootybDiapers, @RockinGreenSoap,@SugarDipes, and a few more surprise guests!

Event Topic: You are invited to attend a special Twitter Party all about diapers.  In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day the Real Diaper Association, Bamboo Bums Diapers, Diaper Daisy Modern Cloth Diapers and The Eco Chic would like to explain how cloth diapers are making a comeback.

Actually cloth diapers have been used since the beginning of time and are still very popular.  Today’s cloth diapers can be as simple as the pre-fold diapers your grandmother used or modern with Velcroclosures and stylish patterns.  Cloth diapers can fit any budget from frugal to the extreme; all of which can save you thousands of dollars throughout your child’s diapering years.  Cloth diapers are  healthieron your baby and do not contain toxins like disposable diapers.  Cloth diapers are reusable and the perfect commitment for parents who wish to reduce their child’s environmental butt-footprint.

Registration: We are so excited to be able to open registration EARLY! Go enter by filling out our Survey Monkey form.  Click here to register.

Prizes: While the exact prizes are still being finalized we anticipate the following categories of prizes.  *Subject to change.

Pre-Registration Prize Pack: Each person who registers prior to April 22nd, 2010 (before 8:45pm ET) will be entered into a drawing for a Flip Ultra HD video camera compliments of Diaper Shops.  All you have to do is pre-register for the #GetRealDiapers party and join us on April 22nd on Twitter by tweeting #GetRealDiapers at least once on 4/22/10 before the start of the party.

Frugal Cloth Diapering Prize Pack*: 12 prefolds, 1 HH Sherpa fitted (medium), 1 contour diaper, 1 diaper cover, 2 diaper doublers, 1 wet bag, and 1 bag of Rockin’ Green Soap (Fresh Linen).  This prize pack is compliments of Snooty Booty Diapers, Sugar Dipes, Eden’s Baby, and Rockin’ Green Soap.
Modern Cloth Diaper/Cloth 101 Prize Pack*: 1 Bum Genius 3.0 one-size pocket diaper, 1 Bum Genius one-size organic AIO, 1 FuzziBunz one-size pocket diaper, 1 KatyDid one-size pocket diaper, 1 Bumwear one-size pocket diaper, 1 GroBaby one-size shell and insert, 2 GoodMama one-size fitteds, 1 WonderWrap one-size cover, 1 Thirsties Dou Diaper, 6 pack of Thirsties Fab Wipes, 1 dozen Sweet Camo wipes, 4oz. Thirsties Booty Luster, 1 PlanetWise pail liner, 1 PlanetWise wet bag, 1 bag Rockin’ Green Soap (Fresh Linen).  This prize pack is compliments of Sweet Camo Babytique and Rockin’ Green Soap.
Extreme Cloth Diaper Prize Pack*: 18 Smartipants one-size diapers with inserts, 18 cloth wipes, 1 wet bag, 2 pail liners, Kissuluvs wipes solution/spray, 1 bag Rockin’ Green Soap (Fresh Linen).  This prize pack is compliments of Diaper Shop and Rockin’ Green Soap.
*These prize packs are designed for the parent who is new to cloth diapering.  We will ask for ‘proof’ that you are not currently in cloth diapers full time for the winners of these prize packs.

Referral Prize Pack: Win one of 4 cloth diaper packages compliments of SoftBums.  Each package will contain 2 SoftBums one-size covers along with 6 snap in inserts.  To be eligible, invite a non-cloth diapering friend (or 10!) to the Get Real Twitter Party and you can win extra prizes!  Receive one entry for the referral prize pack for each person who lists you as the person who referred them.  They may enter you by name, email, blog, or Twitter account.  There is no maximum for the number of referral entries and there will be multiple prize winners!  This prize pack is open to current cloth diaper users and non-cloth diapering parents as well.

Cloth Diaper Advocate Prize Pack: Multiple winners possible.  Prizes to include a $25 gift certificate to Snooty Booty Diapers and a $100 gift certificate to Cutey Baby.  To be considered for the cloth diaper advocate prize pack you must currently be in cloth diapers and help with the promotion of this event.  This can include blogging, tweeting, facebook, and other forms of social media (forums, etc).  Don’t forget to include a link back.  Entrants must leave a comment on this blog post with a link to all mentions (each individual comment will count as an entry).  You are limited to two extra entries per day.  Current value of this prize pack is over $100 in retail value!!!

Additional prizes to be randomly awarded: Newborn prize pack compliments of Goo Goo Gaia, a 3 pack of Baby Beehinds hemp one-size fitteds, and a 3 pack of Baby Beehinds bamboo one-size fitteds.  Details on eligibility of these additional prizes is still being determined.

**All prizes are open to residents of the US and Canada.  Conditions subject to change.

Link to us: Please feel free to add our party badge to your blog or website with a link back here. *This will count as advocate credit so be sure to leave a comment below with a link!

This weekend I spotted a very rare species, the “Cloth Diapering Mama.”  This species is most likely found in areas where granola is present, i.e.- Boulder, Colorado, Ithaca, New York, San Francisco, California.  Rarely is the “Cloth Diapering Mama” found outside of its natural habitat.  In this instance I spotted one in Quinnebaug Connecticut!  This one admitted to be the only one of her kind in the area.  She did say that she is in a rehabilitation program and is trying to breed more “Cloth Diapering Mamas”  The “CDMs” almost became extinct in the 1980′s but recently began a breeding program to save their species.

The good news is that there are many such breeding programs happening in areas all over the country to help save the “Cloth Diapering Mama.”  When one “CDM” moves to a new area, or spontaneously spawns in their hometown after being exposed to the “Cloth Diapering Bug” through a computer virus on internet forums, the “CDM” usually goes on to breed new “CDMs.”

It is very important for the once almost extinct “Cloth Diapering Mama” to breed.  At one point there were so few left that their main source of sustenance, “fluff”, was sitting on shelves un-purchased, gathering dust.  “Fluff” took on a new use, as “burp cloths” and lived on, but barely.

Now circles of “CDMs” are being spotted all across the country.  Usually it starts with one “CDM.”  This “CDM” tells another mom about cloth diapers.  That mom starts using them, and she tells another mom.  That mom is spotted changing an adorable fluffy butt in the mall, and converts another mom.  That mom buys cloth diapers for her pregnant friend’s baby shower.  That mom…. etc etc etc.  Eventually one of those moms becomes a Real Diaper Association Leader and starts a bonafide Diaper Circle with the intention of promoting awareness of the endangered species, the “Cloth Diapering Mama.”  The population is growing so rapidly that the even rarer, “Cloth Diapering Dad” has even been spotted!!!

Visit RDA.org to find a circle or start your own.

Cloth diapers have come such a long way since the days of plastic pants and pins.  It is because of the amazing companies who have worked hard to improve the technology of diapers, the chemists who are concocting detergents that leave little to no residue which makes washing diapers that much simpler, and the organizations who promote cloth diapering awareness and help get parents informed on the facts.  I wantto talk about those organizations.

The first that comes to mind is the Real Diaper Association. The RDA is a non profit that’s mission is to advocate for cloth diapers.  They keep up to date research about the harmful chemicals in disposables, the cost savings of cloth diapers, and everything in between.  If you want to learn what the heck those crystals are that magically soak up the urine in a disposable, they have a great fact sheet.   The truth is this; many parents don’t even know that there is an alternative to using disposables.  I know I didn’t until I ran across cloth diapers on the internet.  What if you were at a street fair and there was a booth with information about cloth diapers?  Then, maybe, you would have a light switch moment.  The RDA is helping mother’s and educators across the nation and Canada to start “Circles” in their hometowns.  These Circles will serve as support for cloth parents and outreach.   I myself and going to begin training to become a Circle Leader for my hometown.  If you are a business or an individual who is passionate about advocating for cloth diapers, please visit their website to learn how you can become a member.  RDA is also running a calendar photo contest for babies in cloth diapers.  There are some great prizes, so if you have a picture of your adorable baby in fluff you should give it a shot!

Miracle Diapers- I have posted about MD before.  They are an organization that helps low income families begin cloth diapering.  As many of us know, the road to stash nirvana is a long and winding one.  Newborns need 24-36 diapers in a stash; this will keep the mom from only doing 1 load of laundry every other day.   Some mothers end up washing every day!  Miracle Diapers tries to get families started.  They don’t supply a stash, but lend a helping hand.  They have recently launched “Cloth Diaper the nation” memberships.  Businesses and families can sign up as members for a small fee.  There are different levels of memberships, starting at 15.00 and up.  I just signed up for a membership, and I hope you will as well.  The membership dues are going to a great cause!