Cloth vs Disposable Diapers

We all assume disposable diapers are convenient, less messy and cheaper. Well, I recently discovered that this may not be the case. I know, with our first one, the diapers were an on-going cost that didn't go away till she was potty trained. Even with the first, I wanted to try cloth diapers but thought washing/changing will be difficult for family helping out and a service would be too costly. However, I recently found a service that is less than or equal to using disposable diapers. http://www.greenbabydiaperservice.com/

I still have to speak to them and see how this will work out but I thought I should still do an estimate of how much disposable diapers cost per month for infants. Obviously, this cost does lower as the child grows but so does the diaper service.

Here's my analysis:

Diaper cost

Diapers needed / week 80
Diaper cost for 40 diapers $14.00
Diaper cost / week $28.00
Diaper cost / month $120.00
Diaper pail liner ($30 for 3months) $10.67

Total cost / month $130.67

This can be compared to the diaper service's basic package of $75/month or basic plus covers for $100/month. Not bad, I think. Plus the added benefit of never having to tell hubby to empty the diaper pail since the diapers are picked up by the service, washed, folded and returned once a week. The best part, I feel, is for the conscience that you're doing something to minimize the effect on the environment.

Update
I spoke to the diaper service and there is an additional cost of buying covers but about 6 are needed which is not much. Plus they can be resold or reused as necessary. Even after that cost, it is still cheaper and perhaps for later, easier potty training. The liner they provide can be used in a diaper pail which cuts down on the smell just as it does with disposable.

I look forward to blogging about the use of cloth diapers in the near future. Keep checking.

What may the future hold?

This was a response I wrote to a friend's blog. I thought that it could still be food for thought for the rest of us. Today is Earth Day and perhaps these are the things that we should be thinking about.

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Our belief systems encourage us to help each other. Right now, more than ever before, charity is going to help with the imbalance of this economy. We need to re-evaluate our “wants” from our “needs”. It will take a while, but once our society starts to realize the real “needs”, we will become more efficient. Out of this efficiency, will come disposable income, that can be used firstly in charity and secondly to invest in the future. Our future investments should ideally be creating jobs that are long-term and help the environment. These are not quick fixes and perhaps the most important policy right now would be to educate people about the environment, controlling their finances for “needs” and realizing that life is not short. Life can be very long, especially when you don’t have a plan.

10 Ways to stress-free baby in today's economy

Being a second time mom, and inclined to do thorough research on every possible child-related topic, I think I can now come up with a list for new moms-to-be to keep their life stress free. So here it is:

1. Don't worry about the little things, cooking, cleaning, laundry. Do it as you need it. After a while, things will return to normal. Just keep your cool till then.
2. Make baby and yourself the priority. Take care of yourself and baby, let everyone else fend for themselves. They didn't just go through childbirth, they're not sleep-deprived, they can take care of themselves.
3. Always have enough diapers in the house. You never know when you'll suddenly run out.
4. If you're breastfeeding, then have a manual pump handy for emergencies. If you're using formula, then have extra formula, bottles, nipples, bottle brush in the house.
5. The only thing you need, required by law is a car seat. Everything else is extra. Don't stress yourself about how much the baby will cost. Babies need attention more than cool toys and a perfectly coordinated nursery. The most important person in their life is "mommy".
6. Use freecycle or other sharing groups if your budget is tight. Kids grow out of things very quickly and there's always someone clearing their home of these things.
7. Have the pediatrician on speed dial. Emergencies happen so be prepared. Have a plan with your partner as to what you would do in an emergency so that you're not wasting time talking about this at the time of the emergency.
8. Have basic medicines like fever reducer, cough/cold at home. Also keep a list of home remedies handy as small babies cannot take these medicines.
9. Have a diaper bag (this can be an old backpack) ready at all times even if you're not going anywhere. Every 2-4 weeks, update the bag, especially the first few months of a baby's life.
10. Lastly, when you're feeling stressed, take a deep breath, have a glass of water, sit down and think about what's best for baby and yourself.

There will be advice coming out of everyone, especially when you didn't ask for it. Don't listen to everything and think about it before you follow the advice. And if this blog doesn't help your situation, then forget about it and do what you think is right. Follow your maternal instinct. Its there for a reason.

Enjoy your first baby. There's nothing in this world that compares to the baby's first smile when he/she looks at you.

First day as blogger

A few weeks ago, the thought of writing came to mind. I wrote short stories in school and then later enjoyed writing for projects but it had been a long time. However, with recent developments in life, the mind started overflowing with nowhere to go. So here's my first blog.

I'd like to first introduce the kind of topics that I'm going to be writing about. As a mom of a six year old girl and expecting another one in a few months, children are of course first on my mind. Second comes work. I enjoyed working and miss it terribly. Its been six years now since I took my "break" from work. Considering the economic situation right now, I don't know when or if I'll go back to work, but I live in hope. The other topics that I may blog about can vary from friendship, family relationships, living in USA, politics, electronics, cooking, cake decorating, organic foods and housekeeping.

If there's something on your mind that you'd like me to research, I can do that too. Just put a comment and I will definitely reply.

Next blog will be more organized as I get better at it. Watch for it.